Police Officer (Lateral)

Police Officer (Lateral)

Incentive Program for Lateral Candidates: 80 hours of vacation time for Police Officers that successfully complete FTO.

Description: Positions in this class are occupied by sworn personnel pursuant to California Penal Code §830.1 who are responsible for protecting persons and property; enforcing state and local laws and ordinances; and maintaining order. The duties require initiative, resourcefulness, the ability to analyze situations and in emergencies to adopt a quick, effective, and responsible course of action. The work involves frequent contact with the public and the ability to deal with persons in tense situations where relations may be strained.

Examples of Duties

• Ensures active community policing pursuant to codified department policy and strategies.
• Patrols an assigned area by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot; observes, investigates, and reports suspicious and hazardous conditions; apprehends and arrests law violators.
• Responds to routine and emergency calls for protection of persons and property, and for the enforcement of city ordinances, state laws, and federal laws.
• Investigates crimes, accidents, deaths, and disturbances; gathers evidence; interviews, questions, and takes statements from complainants, suspects, and witnesses; completes reports.
• Takes charge of juveniles and delinquents and works on cases involving unfit homes and crimes committed against or by juveniles; handles missing persons cases; works with community organizations and governmental agencies in delinquencies and in delinquency control programs.
• Searches, transports, and assists in the booking of prisoners.
• Participates in specialty units including hostage negotiation teams, tactical response team, and other related police specialty units.
• Completes and submits reports and documentation of work performed.
• Organizes community outreach events; Speaks before business, school, civic and special groups, as necessary.
• Participates in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
• Answers questions from the public concerning local and State laws, procedures, and activities of the department.
• Serves as Field Training Officer, as assigned; trains new recruits and lateral police officers; documents trainee progress and prepares evaluations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be currently employed as a police/peace officer in the State of California; and have satisfactorily completed, in another jurisdiction, a probation period for a peace officer classification
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent with related college work
• Possess a valid California Class C Driver's license with a satisfactory driving record

Selection Process

All completed applications will be reviewed. Based on the information in the application documents, the most qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

Tentative Application Deadline*:

• First Review of Applications: May 15, 2026

• Second Review of Applications: June 5, 2026

*Posting may close as soon as position is filled.

1. Application: a completed application includes the following:

• Attach a current California POST Basic Certificate.

After all applications have been reviewed, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview with the Chief of Police and Lieutenants from the Albany Police Department. Candidates that pass the interview will go through a full background investigation.

A thorough investigation of personal history, including but not limited to work history, education, military, arrest record, etc., will be conducted on candidates certified to the Police Department. A polygraph is a part of the background examination.

Candidates may be provided with a conditional job offer. After receiving a conditional offer of employment, candidates must successfully complete a required psychological examination and medical examination prior to appointment.

The City of Albany is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, sex origin or disability. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io a minimum of five days prior to the examination.