Police Officer I (Lateral)

Salary : $89,340.00 - $114,024.00 Annually
Location : City of Westminster, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-46
Department: Police
Opening Date: 10/28/2025
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER NOW OFFERS A $10,000, ONE-TIME SIGNING BONUS FOR QUALIFIED LATERAL POLICE OFFICERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM. THIS BONUS WILL BE PAID OUT AT $5,000 UPON HIRE AND $5,000 UPON COMPLETION OF PROBATION.

TO QUALIFY FOR THIS SIGNING BONUS, CANDIDATES MUST

• Possess a Basic POST Certificate
• Have served a minimum of 12 months in a sworn position within a California law enforcement agency
• Currently serve, or have served within the previous 12 months, as a sworn police officer within a California law enforcement agency
• Have completed probation at their current or most recent agency

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; provides information and assistance to the public; performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no supervision of staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is a sworn journey-level law enforcement class that performs patrol assignments found in a municipal police department. Incumbents are assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement. Incumbents are armed and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes. Shift schedules may be changed periodically to ensure the maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is distinguished from Police Officer II in that the latter serves in specialized departmental roles.

Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by providing high visibility.
• Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility, as required.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence.
• Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations.
• Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:


Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field is highly desirable.


Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
• Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
• Possession and maintenance of firearms qualification

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scene and to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.
WORKING CONDITIONS Classification requires successful completion of a pre-hire physical and detailed police background investigation. Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations.
The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package to Westminster Police Officers Association (WPOA) members, including:

RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City's contract provides for the following retirement tiers for new hires:

SWORN EMPLOYEES:

• Tier 2 (hired on or after July 28, 2011 and a current CalPERS member): 2% @ 50 formula ; employees contribute 9.0% of salary towards retirement costs.
• Tier 3/PEPRA (hired on or after January 1, 2013 and not a current CalPERS member): 2.7% @ 57 formula ; employees contribute 14.5% of salary towards retirement costs.

NON-SWORN EMPLOYEES:

• Tier 2 (Classic Members hired on or after July 28, 2011): 2.0% @ 60 formula; employees contribute 7.0% of salary towards retirement costs.
• Tier 3/PEPRA (New Members hired on or after January 1, 2013): 2.0% @ 62 formula; employees contribute 8.25% of salary towards retirement costs.

The City of Westminster does not participate in Social Security.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive an additional 5% of base pay for possessing an AA degree; or an additional 10% of base pay for possessing a BA/BS degree.

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAY: Available to Police Officers, Sergeants, and Commanders.

ADVANCED POST PAY: 2.5% of base pay provided for possession of an Advanced POST Certificate.

BILINGUAL PAY: $150 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages.

LONGEVITY PAY:
10 years of service: $95 per month
15 years of service: $150 per month
21 years of service: $150 per month plus 2% of base salary
22 years of service: $150 per month plus 4% of base salary
23 years of service: $150 per month plus 6% of base salary
24 years of service: $150 per month plus 8% of base salary
25 years of service: $150 per month plus 10% of base salary

INSURANCE BENEFITS: Effective January 1, 2024, the City's cafeteria benefits plan provides $1,600 per month toward the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Employees who participate in the CalPERS health insurance program and are enrolled in a Family plan will receive an additional $400 per month towards the purchase of medical benefits (total of $2,000 per month ).


Medical insurance is provided through the Cal-PERS health insurance program. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit of 66.6% of salary to a maximum of $10,000 per month; the City also provides a paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 per fiscal year for approved courses is available.

VACATION: Employees earn 120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five years (maximum of 160 hours). Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive eleven (11) paid City 9-hour fixed holidays , and an additional 27 hours of floating holiday time annually to be used at the employee's discretion.

SICK LEAVE: Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave per year.

WORK SCHEDULE: Police employees work either a 3/12 or 4/10 work schedule Otheremployees will have the option to work a 9/80, 4/10, or 5/40 work schedule (based on operational needs). The City does not offer a Hybrid work schedule at this time.

Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Westminster Police Officers Association (WPOA) members for additional details:
01


If selected, are you willing and able to undergo a thorough background investigation, including but not limited to review of: legal documents; federal, state, and local law enforcement checks; drivers license and DMV record; high school diploma; college transcripts; proof of automobile insurance; employment verifications; and personal and professional reference checks?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have at least one year (12 months) of experience as a Peace Officer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a POST Basic Cerficate?

• Yes
• No

04


By checking the box below, I acknowledge that I understand this recruitment is for Police Officer - Lateral and only individuals who have at least 12 months of experience as a Peace Officer for the State of California will be considered.

• I acknowledge I understand the above statement.

Required Question