LATERAL POLICE OFFICER

Salary : $60,008.00 - $85,342.40 Annually
Location : City of Sierra Vista, Police Department, Sierra Vista, AZ
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 01 18 2026 REQ 1565
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 01/18/2026
Closing Date: 12/31/2026 11:59 PM Arizona


DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

Applicants for employment and volunteer opportunities should be aware of the City of Sierra Vista's policies concerning the use of drugs and alcohol. These policies have not been altered by the passage of proposition 207. The use of recreational marijuana is a violation of the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy. All positions within the City are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. A positive result for drugs tested under the policy, including recreational marijuana, may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment or volunteer opportunity. The examination process may vary if determined necessary.

Definition & Essential Functions
TESTING IS SCHEDULED ON A MONTHLY BASIS. PLEASE CHECK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION. ACCOMODATION CAN BE MADE FOR OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS.
**TESTING WILL BE SCHEDULED AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION.
In addition to your initial application, there are 2 forms that you will need to complete as part of the background packet: the AZPOST Personal History form and the SVPD Background Questionnaire.
To complete the AZPOST Personal History form, register at my.azpost.gov and register and follow the instructions to complete the form. Once the form is completed, you will need to "share" it with the Sierra Vista Police Department. You will then be provided with a Form ID number. It is imperative that you provide us with that Form ID number by emailing it to View email address on click.appcast.io for us to be able to access your form.
The SVPD Background Questionnaire is attached in fillable format. You can Submit the completed copy when you arrive for testing or email to
It is important that you are thorough and honest when filling out these forms. Explanations should be provided in full detail where necessary.
If you have any questions, you can contact Recruiter Lilly Perry by email at or by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Under limited supervision, performs general or special duty police work.
FLSA status: Non-exempt.
Essential functions included in the job description may include tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list of tasks is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.
Tasks
Work normally consists of:

• Patrol activities within the city;
• Monitoring traffic for possible civil or criminal violations;
• Prevention and discovery of the commission of crimes;
• Apprehension of criminals and offenders;
• Making presence known throughout the community in a manner that contributes to the deterrence and solving of crime;
• Answering calls and complaints involving fire, vehicle accidents, robberies, domestic violence situations, neighborhood disturbances, and other misdemeanors, felonies, and service calls;
• Administering first aid and CPR;
• Securing crime scenes and conducting preliminary and full-scale investigations, except on major crimes;
• Gathering evidence, obtaining witnesses, and issuing citations or making arrests, if appropriate;
• Interviewing witnesses, gathering information, preparing detailed reports, and preparing case files for court prosecution;
• Participating fully in annual and other regular training programs in police methods and procedures;
• Testifying in court proceedings;
• Performing specialized duties on an assigned basis, such as serving as a School Resource Officer, a a general or property crimes detective, Field Training Officer, Motor Unit Officer, Bike Unit Officer, K-9 Officer, Community Resource Officer, Community Response Team member, Tactical Unit member, firearms instructor, defensive tactics instructor, emergency driving instructor, physical fitness instructor, and other positions TBD
• Participating in community service activities as a spokesperson for the department.

Knowledges, Skills & Other Characteristics
Knowledge of:

• Applicable case law in the areas of arrest, probable cause, and search and seizure;
• Departmental policies and procedures;
• Police methods, practices, and procedures, with the ability to recall and apply this knowledge to specific situations; and
• Geography of the City of Sierra Vista and surrounding community, including the location of important sites.

Skill in:

• Dealing courteously and effectively with people;
• Applying good judgment and making operative decisions under pressure;
• Preparing clear, comprehensive, and accurate reports;
• Administering first aid and CPR;
• The proficient use of all police equipment;
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing; and
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with city staff, other law enforcement agencies, and the public.

Other Characteristics:

• Performing work for extended periods of time in environments of extreme heat, cold, or wet conditions;
• Performing the physical requirements of the work (e.g., run, and/or jump over rough terrain and obstacles; physically subdue and apprehend combative suspects; push or pull heavy objects and apply force with upper and lower body; reach, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and turn; and sit and stand for extended periods of time);
• Maintaining a level of fitness to meet department standards;
• Qualifying annually with the department-issued sidearm; and
• Successfully completing annual firearms judgmental training.

The City of Sierra Vista compensation details for the position of Police Officer are detailed below.


The City of Sierra Vista recognizes prior law enforcement experience for lateral compensation designation effective 7/1/2018. The following schedule details the lateral appointment pay for applicable years of service as a sworn police officer.

Applicants that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits but have a minimum of 1.5 years of experience as an officer, and a High School diploma or GED, will be hired in at 2% lower than the designated lateral appointment pay. If/when 60 credits or an Associates degree is obtained, a onetime 2% pay increase will be received.


Military Joint Service transcripts are accepted. Accepted credits must be indicated as L-lower, U-upper or G-graduate. Vocational credits are not accepted.
Miltary joint service transcripts can be requested via the following links below:
Military One Source - JST information
More Information on military transcripts can be found at:
American Council for Education - Military Guide
Candidates for lateral appointment will start at the police officer, step 1 pay and will not receive the designated lateral appointment pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.
Years of Sworn Police Officer ServiceStarting StepStarting Hourly Pay1.4 Years or less1$30.071.5 - 2.4 years2$30.672.5 - 3.4 years3$31.293.5 - 4.4 years4$31.914.5 - 5.4 years5$32.555.5 - 6.4 years6$33.206.5 - 7.4 years7$33.877.5 - 8.4 years8$34.548.5+ years8.5+$35.23

Applicants that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits and have less than 1.4 years of experience will be hired at the Recruit level and serve a 2- year probationary term. Applicants hired under these circumstances would receive a step increase to Officer Step 1 as soon as they receive the requisite 60 college credits and complete the SVPD field training program. Applicants that do not receive the requisite 60 college credits would not be eligible to move to Officer Step 1 until after they complete the 2-year probationary term. Applicants hired under this program would not be eligible for annual step increases until they have moved to the Officer pay plan. These applicants would be eligible to end probation any time after one year with the City if they receive the requisite 60 college credits.

Military Joint Service transcripts are accepted. Accepted credits must be indicated as L-lower, U-upper or G-graduate. Vocational credits are not accepted.


Candidates with 1.4 years or less experience will start at recruit pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.
Police Recruit Starting Hourly Pay
$28.85
Additional Info:
Per Police Department policy, "Sworn Police Officers who live beyond thirty (30) miles of the corporate city limits will not be allowed to take home a city vehicle. Sworn Police Officers who reside within thirty (30) miles of the corporate city limits will be required to take a city vehicle home to meet department response requirement, unless otherwise approved by the Chief of Police."

Qualifications
1. Police officer candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old at the time of graduation from the police academy.
2. Any candidate must be a United States citizen.
3. Candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency certification.
4. Candidates must possess a valid Arizona driver's license at time of employment.


5. C andidates must demonstrate:
A. Per Arizona Administrative Code; Title 13; Rule 13-4-107 the applicant must successfully complete an AZPOST physical examination made by a licensed professional to include a review of the applicant's medical history.
B. The physician shall order tests, obtain medical records, and require specialist or functional examinations and evaluations that the examining physician deems necessary to determine the applicant's ability to perform all the essential functions of the job of peace officer.
6. Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona.


7. Candidates must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor criminal offense involving moral turpitude in Arizona or in any state or federal jurisdiction where the commission of such a criminal offense would be a misdemeanor as defined by the Arizona Revised Statutes.


8. Candidates must not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.

9. Candidates must be able to meet the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) certification requirements


10. Candidates must not have been previously denied certified status, had a certification revoked, or have current certified status under suspension pursuant to AZ POST Section R13-4-109.


11. Candidates must not have:


A. used marijuana within the past six (6) months; illegally possessed, or used marijuana for any purpose within the past six months.


B. used marijuana while employed or appointed as a peace officer.


12. Candidates must not have illegally:


A. used dangerous drugs or narcotics other than marijuana within the
past seven years;


B. used dangerous drugs or narcotics other than for experimentation (The use
of dangerous drugs or narcotics is presumed to be greater than experimentation if the use exceeds five (5) times total, or exceeds one time since the age of 21 years);


C. sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale any dangerous
drugs or narcotics; or


D. used dangerous drugs or narcotics while employed or appointed as a
peace officer.
13. Candidates must not have a pattern of abuse of prescription drugs.


14. Candidates must not have been convicted of a violation of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with such
a frequency so as to indicate disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway within the past three (3) years.
15.
Certified Police officer that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits but have a minimum of 1.5 years of experience as an officer and a High School diploma or GED, will be hired in at 2% lower than the designated lateral appointment pay. If/ when an Associates degree is obtained, a onetime 2% pay increase will be received. All lateral candidates regardless of degree or credits will start at the Police Officer step pay 1 and will not receive the designated lateral appointment pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.
Certified Police Officers with 1.4 years or less experience who do not qualify for lateral appointment must possess the minimum of 60 college credits or an Associates degree. Candidates with 1.4 years or less experience will start at recruit pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.

Military Joint Service transcripts are accepted. Accepted credits must be indicated as L-lower, U-upper or G-graduate. Vocational credits are not accepted.


In addition to the minimum requirements (1-16), the successful candidate must meet

the established requirements of each phase in the testing process in order to
proceed to the next phase:
Physical Fitness Test
Oral Board Interview
Background Investigation **
Psychological Examination **
Polygraph Examination **
Drug Screening
AZPOST Physical examination


Please note this process could take three to six months to complete.


AZ POST certified applicants must meet the established requirements of each phase in the testing process in order
to proceed to the next phase:


Physical Fitness Test
Oral Board Interview
Background Investigation **
Psychological Examination **
Polygraph Examination **
Drug Screening
AZPOST Physical examination


** If a candidate is eliminated during the background, psychological, or polygraph
phase of the selection process, they cannot re-apply for one year from the date
of disqualification. Candidates for police officer must demonstrate that they
are physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of executing the position
requirements. Police officers are expected to be well-groomed, possess
high moral standards, work well in a team effort setting, possess functional
verbal and written communication skills, and work on a rotating shift schedule.
The City of Sierra Vista offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes but is not limited to:


Medical Insurance City pays 100% of the health plan premium for employees.


Dental Insurance City pays 100% of the dental plan premium for employees.


Short-Term Disability City pays 100% of the short-term disability plan premium for employees.


Life Insurance City provides $50,000 in term life insurance with up to $250,000 in additional insurance available for purchase by the employee.


Other Benefits City offers vision insurance, AFLAC, Legal Shield, education assistance, and health club membership discount.


Retirement City of Sierra Vista participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS); a defined benefit plan. Mandatory employee contribution rate is currently 12.41%.


Police and Fire personnel participate in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Mandatory employee contribution rate range is currently 7.65% - 11.65% depending on eligible tier with PSPRS.


All employees are eligible to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation plan.


Vacation Employees earn twelve vacation days per year, available for use after six months, with increases to accrual rates in five-year service increments.


Additional Time Off/Sick Leave Employees earn twelve paid sick days per year for use after one month.


Holidays Employees are provided twelve paid holidays per year.
01


Do you have a High School Diploma OR G.E.D.?

• YES
• NO

02


Do you possess a valid Arizona POST Certification?

• YES
• NO

03


Do you possess a valid peace officer certification from another state?

• Yes
• No

04


Which state do you possess a valid Peace Officer Certification from?
05


How many years of Police officer experience do you possess?

• None
• 1.4 Years or less
• 1.5 Years - 2.4 Years
• 2.5 Years - 3.4 Years
• 3.5 Years - 4.4 Years
• 4.5 Years - 5.4 Years
• 5.5 Years - 6.4 Years
• 6.5 Years - 7.4 Years
• 7.5 Years - 8.4 Years
• 8.5 Years or more

06


Which best describes your level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Less than 30 College Credits
• 30-59 College Credits
• 60 or more College Credits
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Military Joint Service Less than 30 Credits
• Military Joint Service 30-59 Credits
• Military Joint Service 60 or more Credits
• None

07


Applicants that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits but have a minimum of 1.5 years of experience as an officer will be hired in at 2% lower than the designated lateral appointment pay.If/when 60 credits or an Associates degree is obtained, a onetime 2% pay increase will be received. Candidates for lateral appointment will start at the police officer, step 1 pay and will not receive the designated lateral appointment pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.
Applicants that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits and have less than 1.4 years of experience will be hired at the Recruit level and serve a 2- year probationary term. Applicants hired under these circumstances would receive a step increase to Officer Step 1 as soon as they receive the requisite 60 college credits and complete the SVPD field training program. Applicants that do not receive the requisite 60 college credits would not be eligible to move to Officer Step 1 until after they complete the 2-year probationary term. Applicants hired under this program would not be eligible for annual step increases until they have moved to the Officer pay plan. These applicants would be eligible to end probation any time after one year with the City if they receive the requisite 60 college credits.

• I agree to meet the terms listed above.
• I do not agree to meet the terms listed above.

08


(Police) Have you ever received a criminal or traffic citation, excluding parking citations?

• Yes
• No

09


(Police) If yes, please describe below including the dates, location, charge and penalty for each incident.
10


(Police) Have you ever been convicted or found guilty of any crime by any civilian or military court?

• Yes
• No

11


(Police) If you have been convicted or found guilty, please explain including the date, location, charge and penalty for each incident.
12


(Police) Are you now or have you ever been a member of, or associated with, attending, or participated in, any organization, association, movement, group or combination of persons which advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government, or which as adopted the policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny other persons their rights under the Constitution of the United States or which seeks to alter the form of government of the United States by unconstitutional means?

• Yes
• No

13


(Police) Do you meet the minimum qualifications of the position of which you are applying as outlined in the job announcement?

• Yes
• No

14


(Police) Have you previously applied for the position of Police Officer with the Sierra Vista Police Department?

• Yes
• No

15


(Police) If yes, when?
16


(Police) Police Officer candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old per Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.Are you 21 or older?

• YES
• NO

17


Per Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board any candidate who applies must be a United States citizen. Are you a United States citizen?

• YES
• NO

18


Have you used marijuana within the past six (6) months? All forms of marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, marijuana edibles, and all forms of use will be treated the same.

• YES
• NO

19


Have you illegally used marijuana within the past six (6) months? All forms of marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, marijuana edibles, and all forms of use will be treated the same.

• Yes
• No

20


Have you sold, produced, cultivated, or transported marijuana, or any other drug, for sale?

• YES
• NO

21


Have you used drugs (other than prescribed medication) other than marijuana within the past seven (7) years?

• YES
• NO

22


Have you used drugs (other than prescribed medication), other than marijuana, in excess of one (1) time since the age of 21 years)?

• YES
• NO

23


I understand and agree, Per the Police Department policy, "Sworn Police Officers who live beyond thirty (30) miles of the corporate city limits will not be allowed to take home a city vehicle. Sworn Police Officers who reside within thirty (30) miles of the corporate city limits will be required to take a city vehicle home to meet department response requirement, unless otherwise approved by the Chief of Police."

• YES
• NO

24


SIERRA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR POLICE OFFICER1. Police officer candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old at the time of graduation from the police academy. 2. Any candidate must be a United States citizen. 3. Candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency certification. 4. Candidates must possess a valid Arizona driver's license at time of employment. 5. Candidates must pass and AZPOST physical examination. 6. Candidates must possess uncorrected hearing with no loss greater than 25db in the 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 hertz frequencies as measured by an audiometer. 7. Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona. 8. Candidates must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor criminal offense involving moral turpitude in Arizona or in any state or federal jurisdiction where the commission of such a criminal offense would be a misdemeanor as defined by the Arizona Revised Statutes. 9. Candidates must not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.10. Candidates must be able to meet the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) certification requirements 11. Candidates must not have been previously denied certified status, had a certification revoked, or have current certified status under suspension pursuant to AZ POST Section R13-4-109. 12. Candidates must not have: A. used marijuana within the past six (6) months; illegally possessed or used marijuana in the past six (6) months. B. used marijuana while employed or appointed as a peace officer. 13. Candidates must not have illegally: A. used dangerous drugs or narcotics other than marijuana within the past seven years; B. used dangerous drugs or narcotics other than for experimentation (The use of dangerous drugs or narcotics is presumed to be greater than experimentation if the use exceeds five (5) times total, or exceeds one time since the age of 21 years); C. sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale any dangerous drugs or narcotics; or D. used dangerous drugs or narcotics while employed or appointed as a peace officer. 14. Candidates must not have a pattern of abuse of prescription drugs. 15. Candidates must not have been convicted of a violation of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with such a frequency so as to indicate disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway within the past three (3) years.16. Certified Police officers that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits but have a minimum of 1.5 years of experience as an officer and a High School Diploma or GED, will be hired in at 2% lower than the designated lateral appointment pay. If/ when an Associates degree is obtained, a onetime 2% pay increase will be received. All lateral candidates regardless of degree or credits will start at the Police Officer step pay 1 and will not receive the designated lateral appointment pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.Certified Police Officers with 1.4 years or less experience who do not qualify for lateral appointment must possess the minimum of 60 college credits or an associates degree. Candidates with 1.4 years or less experience will start at recruit pay until they are AZPOST certified and completed the SVPD field training program.Certified Police Officers that do not have a minimum of an associate degree or 60 college credits and have less than 1.4 years of experience will be hired at the Recruit level and serve a 2- year probationary term. Applicants hired under these circumstances would receive a step increase to Officer Step 1 as soon as they receive the requisite 60 college credits and complete the SVPD field training program. Applicants that do not receive the requisite 60 college credits would not be eligible to move to Officer Step 1 until after they complete the 2-year probationary term. Applicants hired under this program would not be eligible for annual step increases until they have moved to the Officer pay plan. These applicants would be eligible to end probation any time after one year with the City if they receive the requisite 60 college credits.

• I have read and acknowledged the above statement.

25


I understand that I must posses a valid Arizona driver license at time of employment.

• YES
• NO

26


The City of Sierra Vista supports a drug and alcohol free workplace. Conditional offers of employment will be given for positions that require pre-employment drug and controlled substance tests. This includes but is not limited to: Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, PCP, all form of marijuana including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts and marijuana edibles, and all forms of use will be treated the same. Employment is contingent upon negative test results.
In addition, employment is contingent upon passing a background investigation including fingerprint records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Falsifying or omitting information during any stage of the selection process will make you ineligible for City employment at this time and in the future.

• I have read and acknowledged the above statement.

27



The City of Sierra Vista's primary means of communication with applicants is via email. Please add the domain sierravistaaz.gov to your email filter and monitor your spam mail to ensure prompt awareness of correspondences from the City of Sierra Vista. You may also opt to receive text messages on your master profile settings.

• I have read and acknowledge the notification above.

Required Question