Police Officer

Police Officer

The Police Officer will play a critical role in maintaining public safety through extensive community engagement and partnering with other civil service entities and community-based organizations to solve problems and enforce laws and ordinances; protect life and property; issue citations, make arrests, prepare reports; meet with community members; work in a team environment; and provide information to the public and departmental units. Under the supervision of a Sergeant, work assignments and schedules that may vary depending on the needs of the community and department.

A Police Officer is responsible for enforcing all the laws and ordinances within the jurisdiction of the Police Department. When engaged in enforcement activity, a Police Officer may work alone or as a team member. Assignments/duties may be assigned based on various factors, including but not limited to, addressing quality of life issues, enforcing penal and vehicle code laws and investigating / preventing crime. Officers may also independently initiate actions based on these other factors related to public safety. Often the work is performed under hazardous conditions without direct supervision, decisions affecting life and property are often made under stress. The duties of a Police Officer require considerable community engagement meant to foster partnerships and support. As a result, employees of this class must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, including being caring, fair, unbiased, and sensitive when dealing with people of diverse backgrounds.

Receives supervision from a Lancaster Police Sergeant or a higher-ranking sworn officer. May provide technical guidance to non-sworn personnel.

Candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process, which includes the following steps:

• National Testing Network (NTN) Examination: Academy graduate applicants are required to complete the National Testing Network (NTN) examination. Please use the link below to register and complete the examination. Applicants who do not complete the NTN examination will not be considered for the position.
• Oral Interview(s): Candidates will participate in interview(s) to assess qualifications and overall suitability for the position.
• Physical Ability Test (PAT): Candidates must successfully complete a physical ability assessment to demonstrate required fitness levels.
• Background Investigation: A thorough background investigation will be conducted by a designated investigator.
• Polygraph Examination: Candidates may be required to undergo a polygraph examination.
• Psychological Evaluation: A psychological assessment will be conducted to evaluate mental and emotional fitness for duty.
• Medical Examination: A medical evaluation will be required to confirm the candidate's ability to perform essential job functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enforce federal, state, and local laws with a focus on maintaining public safety and preventing crime.
• Regularly patrolling neighborhoods and public areas to deter and detect criminal activity.
• Responding to requests for police services related to crime and quality of life issues.
• Conduct investigations into criminal activity.
• Identifying and apprehending individuals suspected of committing crimes while following legal procedures to ensure their rights are respected.
• Documenting incidents, investigations, and activities accurately in reports, which are essential for legal proceedings.
• Enforcing traffic laws to ensure road safety.
• Working together with other first responder agencies and community services in joint efforts aimed at improving public safety.
• Appearing in court to testify in criminal, traffic and civil cases, presenting evidence, and explaining police procedures.
• Engaging with the community members, building relationships, promoting crime prevention programs, addressing criminal and quality of life concerns.
• Maintain effective communication with department command staff and city executives.
• Collaborate with local organizations and residents to build trust and promote community well-being and maintain department accountability and integrity.

The duties listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may also perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor. This position is considered non-exempt.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Lateral Police Officer, recent POST-certified academy graduate, or current correctional deputy seeking a patrol assignment.
• Valid California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification or academy graduation certificate.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, especially in high-pressure and/or adverse situations.
• Knowledge of California state laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Possess a valid California class "C" Driver's License.
• Must meet all POST requirements to be a Peace Officer, to include SB2 requirements.
• Must not be under any active investigation with any Law Enforcement agency or with CA POST regarding misconduct outlined in SB2.
• Knowledge in using modern law enforcement technology and software.

Additional Requirements:

• Must meet established physical standards.
• Must meet psychological and background standards, including:
  • Free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that could impair the ability to perform the duties of a Police Officer.
  • No bias against race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation that could negatively impact job performance.
  • Demonstrated good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Must maintain firearms qualification.
• Must be willing to work irregular hours, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Must be available for call-back and automatic return to work with a reasonable response time (equivalent to typical travel time from residence) during off-duty hours for major emergencies, disasters, critical incidents, or as otherwise required.

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving – Analytically and logically evaluating information.
• Learning Agility – Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to work.
• Handling Stress – Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics – Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Safety Focus – Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Customer Focus – Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
• Informing – Proactively obtaining and sharing information.
• Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Valuing Diversity – Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace.
• Allocating Resources – Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness.

Guiding Principles:

• Put people first.
• Be visionary.
• Be an ambassador for Lancaster.
• Be fiscally responsible.
• Be creative.
• Always improving.
• Be adaptable and resilient.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in a field environment, with some travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; incumbents may be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to stand, sit in a patrol car for long periods, walk; lift, carry, push, and pull a grown adult; climb walls, fences, stairs and ladders, stoop, twist, squat/kneel, crawl run grasp, repeatedly bend and move wrists, use both hands, legs and feet; speak, hear and understand radio communications, touch/feel, see at a distance and up close and have depth perception and normal color vision.
• Must be physically fit to perform the job including corrected or uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better; physical strength and agility to perform foot pursuit and physical restraint of suspects.
• Applicants must be in good physical condition, subject to determination by the City Medical Examiner.

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)