Police Officer (Lateral)

The City of Placentia is now recruiting for the position of Police Officer (Lateral).

• Competitive Pay**Potential for initial pay to match your experience and background upon hire
• POST Certification & Education Pay** Eligible employees can receive POST certification or education pay upon hire
• Accelerated Leave Accrual Rates**Potential for leave accrual rates that consider your prior sworn service upon hire

The City of Placentia strives to make a difference by continually developing our progressive and innovative workforce. Our team collaborates to create an environment that promotes diversity, creativity, and respect for all opinions, ensuring better outcomes for the community we serve. The City adheres to a philosophy of continuous improvement and strives to offer employees various professional development opportunities, including citywide leadership academies, Departmental Retreats, professional coaching, and more. If you are interested in a public sector career with an established agency dedicated to improving the way its employees work, develop, and thrive, this position would be an excellent opportunity for you.

Under the direction of the Police Sergeant, the Police Officer patrols an assigned area, enforces public safety laws, codes, and regulations and maintains order, prevents, detects, and investigates crime, responds to emergencies and calls for service, carries out special assignments in the protection of life and property, and performs other related duties as assigned.

Positions in this class are distinguished from the Police Sergeant, which serves as a first-line supervisor and has responsibility for the development, coordination, and evaluation of sworn personnel that are part of a work shift or section. Police officers may be assigned to special assignments, such as motor, traffic, K-9, detective, SWAT, field training officer, jail, bike team, VIP handling, reserves, and similar details.

• Enforces federal, state, county, and city laws, regulations, and ordinances related to public safety and law enforcement.
• Patrols an assigned area of the city, in a patrol vehicle or on foot, in order to detect and prevent crime and maintain law and order; may operate a motorcycle or bicycle as part of a special assignment detail.
• Gives verbal warnings and prepares citations, arrest reports, crime reports, daily observation reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, and impounded property reports.
• Responds to radio messages and citizen requests for protection of life and property and public assistance and appears at crime and scenes of disorder and determines proper course of action; investigates suspicious vehicles or persons; observes situations related to stolen cars, traffic violations, and proper flow of traffic.
• Inspects premises at night and on other shifts; assists in the investigation of crimes; conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths, or other types of incidents involving possible violations of public safety laws and codes.
• Questions suspects, interviews victims and witnesses; books property and evidence; performs basic crime scene investigation; testifies in court regarding facts, circumstances, and violations; completes field and follow-up investigations.
• Takes written statements; examines conditions of accident scenes; clears scene of obstructions and damaged vehicles; notes and reports traffic hazards; provides first aid for injured persons or requests medical attention in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment, and other public gatherings and assures that proper licenses and permits are in effect.
• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; supervises arrestees; and monitors the status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including court orders.
• Participates in police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs.
• When assigned to Reserves Detail, tracks and coordinates the scheduling and training of reserve police officers.
• When assigned to Traffic Detail, enforces specialized Traffic and Motor Vehicle Codes and prepares traffic and collision reports and investigation records; sets up DUI monitoring; coordinates work with Department of Motor Vehicles and Courts; attends meetings, prepares logs, and makes presentations.
• When assigned to Field Training Officer Detail, organizes, coordinates, and provides officer training in the field related to proper law enforcement surveillance, handling of traffic stops, preparation of departmental reports, and related tasks; completes training records and employee progress reports at regular intervals.
• Receives, searches, books, fingerprints, and takes custody of prisoners; guards and transports prisoners; provides meals and completes daily records.
• When assigned to K-9 detail, also assists in searches of suspects and properties; trains animals and conducts exercises in proper pursuit and control methods; feeds and maintains animals in accordance with health and safety standards and prepares related activity records.
• When assigned to Detective Detail, conducts crime scene investigations and pursues cases involving the collection of additional evidence, identification and interviewing of victims and suspects, and prosecution of cases within the Court system; conducts covert patrol; writes and executes search warrants; coordinates property and evidence collection with police support staff; and testifies in cases.
• When assigned to SWAT Detail, responds to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high-risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety.
• When assigned to Gang Detail, monitors and investigates associations of individuals who belong to known gangs; determines means of gaining access and information from informants related to actual or planned crimes; and testifies in cases.
• When assigned to School Resource Detail, visits public schools, prepares and makes educational presentations, maintains communications with school officials, works with district staff on attendance and truancy issues, and counsels students related to lawful conduct and community standards and expectations.
• Provides escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings.

Other Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the City.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

• EDUCATION: A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent
• EXPERIENCE: Candidate must be currently employed as a sworn Police Officer and have passed probation in their current agency.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED

• Valid, current driver’s license.
  • The City reasonably expects driving to be one of the job functions for the position, and the City reasonably believes that using an alternative form of transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost to the City.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED

• BASIC Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) certificate
• For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment is required.
• Certification in protective and lifesaving equipment
• First aid and CPR certification

In Addition, Applicants Must Meet The Following Criteria

• No more than 20/100 uncorrected and 20/30 corrected and freedom from uncorrectable color blindness. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Must be of good character and reputation.
• May undergo a psychological assessment by a qualified professional to determine their suitability for the position.
• Will be administered an integrity test and a polygraph examination.
• Will undergo a complete, comprehensive, P.O.S.T. approved Background Investigation.
• Will be fingerprinted and records checked in both State and Federal Bureaus.
• Must not have a record of conviction of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Frequently works in outside weather conditions and in a patrol unit and may operate specialized equipment when assigned to patrol
• Exposure to extreme heat, smoke, dust, fumes, and inclement weather, as well as loud noises such as, but not limited to, sirens, alarms, and diesel engines
• Use of safety helmets, armored vests, earplugs, utility belts, and other specialized equipment
• Subject to the threat of injury and life-threatening hazards as part of police safety operations
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls
• Reach with hands and arms
• Climb or scale walls, ladders, or steps; carry police safety gear
• Stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, or crawl, as well as walk, sit, and run
• Talking, hearing, and using smell
• Pull and carry persons in emergency situations, administer first aid, and fight in self-defense
• Grasp and carry power and hand tools, and lift, carry, and move persons, equipment, and push, pull, or drag objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

The City of Placentia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please get in touch with the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io before the filing deadline. We will attempt to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request, as reasonably possible.

The City of Placentia's Drug-Free Workplace Policy requires that all applicants undergo substance abuse testing prior to employment.

The City of Placentia will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history, in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City is concerned regarding a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.

In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Placentia employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

• Retirement - PERS 3% at 50 CalPERS with a 9% employee contribution (classic); 2.7% at 57 CalPERS with a 11.5% employee contribution (new members). The City of Placentia does not participate in Social Security.
• Health Insurance – The City provides up to $2,076 per month to purchase health insurance through the CalPERS Health Benefits program. Medical Opt Out is available for up to $400 per month to employee.
• Dental & Vision Insurance – Fully paid plan for dental and vision insurance.
• Life Insurance – Fully paid life insurance policy of $50,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased with the employee paying for the premium.
• Disability Insurance – Fully paid short-term and long-term disability insurance policies.
• Flexible Spending Account – Employees may contribute to a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account on a voluntary basis.
• Deferred Compensation – Employees may contribute to a deferred compensation plan on a voluntary basis.
• Holidays – 12 paid holidays per year.
• Paid Time Off (Vacation) – Accrual rate of 80 hours per year.
• Alternative Health & Wellness (Sick Leave) – 96 hours per year; this program includes an incentive of up to $1,250 per fiscal year.
• Assignment Pay – An additional 5% is paid for Canine Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, Motor/Traffic, and School Resource Officer.
• Bilingual Pay – An additional pay of $165 per month or $250 for advanced.
• P.O.S.T/Educational Incentive – For those who possess P.O.S.T Certificates; an additional 2.5% for Basic P.O.S.T., 4.5% for intermediate P.O.S.T./AA., and 7% for Advanced P.O.S.T./B.A.
• Shift Differential Pay – For night watch, an additional pay of 2.5%
• Marksmanship Incentive – $100/$150 per year available.
• Range Staff – Those assigned to Range Staff are eligible for an additional 2.5%
• Finder's Fee – Upon successful completion of the FTO program both the employee who referred and the new Police Officer will each receive $1,000.
• Educational Tuition Reimbursement – Available upon request and approval
• Holiday Closure – In addition, subject to City Council approval, City Hall and most City Services observe a Holiday Closure annually for two weeks at the end of December/beginning of January, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day (paid time off varies per year, assignment and Bargaining Unit; City will provide additional holiday hours during this closure period.