Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Police Officer (Academy Graduate) in our Police Department. Under general supervision, patrols a beat or sector; enforces laws and ordinances and makes arrests; protects life and property and performs the necessary related tasks to fulfill these objectives; performs related duties as required.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Patrols assigned areas by car, bike, motorcycle or on foot. Answers calls for assistance, including investigation of crimes, deaths; accidents and injuries; Conducts initial and follow-up investigations. Enforces, controls and directs traffic when appropriate. Stops drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of the law and enforces traffic violations; warns drivers against illegal practices. Performs arrests for all criminal violations of law. Testifies in court in connection with the prosecution of offenders. Serves warrants and subpoenas. Administers first aid in emergency cases. Answers complaints on such problems as domestic disturbances, obnoxious animals, health code and local ordinance violations. Investigates suspicious circumstances. Takes custody of stolen, lost or found property and evidence. Performs crowd control, parade or riot work. Takes crime prevention measures and assists in controlling problems of juvenile delinquency; Performs detective work in criminal investigation and identification work. Transports prisoners to be booked at county jail. Furnishes information and directions to the public. Submits complete written reports on all cases investigated. Participates in required training courses and programs. Supervision may be exercised over non-sworn positions. Provides vacation and temporary relief as assigned.

Knowledge of: The principles, methods, materials, equipment, and techniques of peace officers. Crime scene procedures. Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information on peace officers. State and federal statutes and case law covering contraband, drugs, and the use of physical evidence in court, the rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, evidence, and expert witnesses. Police Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations and unit functions. Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications. Customer service principles and techniques. English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Ability to: Prepare clear and concise police reports. Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations. Analyze emergency situations and adopt quick, reasonable and effective courses of action. Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public. Lift and move objects of moderate to heavy weight. Maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times. Participate in the high level of customer service to internal and external customers. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing software applications. Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff, vendors and the public. Type and/or enter data at 30 net words per minute.

General Standards:

Fingerprinted and a search made of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record. Not convicted of a felony by any State or Federal Government of a crime including imprisonment in a Federal or State prison. Good moral character as determined by a polygraph examination and a thorough background investigation as prescribed in Specification #1, Personal History Statement. Successfully complete requirements of medical and psychological evaluation. Authorized to work in the United States. Must not be less than 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Academy Graduate

Education/Experience: High school graduate or equivalent. Must have graduated from a POST Certified California Police Academy within the past three years, or must currently be attending a California POST Certified Standard Length Police Academy. Must be within six months of graduation if attending an extended format academy. Per POST Commission Regulation 1008 (DOC), requalification of Regular Basic Course (RBC) training (POST Requalification Course) is required if: Not employed in a position that requires the RBC within three years of successful course completion, or RBC was successfully completed and there subsequently was a three year or longer break in service from a position that requires the RBC.

Written test may be waived.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license at time of appointment.

The physical agility examination will take each candidate approximately 30 - 45 minutes to complete. There are five separate events in this test, which are simulations of actual tasks that a Police Officer would be required to perform. These events are as follows: PUSH UPS – This exercise tests general upper-body and core strength. Start in the arms-extended position, hands below shoulder or slightly wider, and back straight. During exercise arms must break 90-degrees, then return to the extended position, body moving in line, for a complete repetition. The test ends if chest or knees touch the ground. Applicant must complete at least 25 push-ups within 60 seconds.

BODY DRAG – This test simulates dragging someone who is physically incapacitated. The dummy, which weighs 165 pounds, must be dragged a distance of 32 feet within 28 seconds.

WOOD FENCE CLIMB – This event will test your ability to climb a six-foot-high wood wall. You are to run up to the fence, scale the fence, and continue running to the finish line. You will have 14 seconds to complete this event.

ONE MILE RUN – This event test general cardiovascular endurance. Applicant must complete one mile within 10 minutes.

All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.