Police Officer (Lateral)

The Position

Looking to advance your career in law enforcement? The Modesto Police Department is seeking experienced Police Officers. Join our team today! The Police Officer is responsible to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local municipal codes, violations, and traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department.

Hiring Incentives $20,000 Hiring Incentive - For this position. $5,000 Military Hiring Incentive - Is an additional hiring incentive for anyone who has served in any branch of the United States Military and received an Honorable or General Discharge as denoted on the DD214. Sick/Vacation Front Loading - 40 hours of sick and 40 hours of vacation will be front loaded on date of hire. Lateral Service Credit - Any lateral hire will accrue leave balances based on their years of experience in a prior public safety position. A full list of hiring incentives can be found at this link All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications of the position will be placed on an eligible list and invited to a selection interview with the Modesto Police Department. Any out of state applicants must have the California POST Course waiver at time of application and will need to apply for the Police Officer Trainee position. Any out of state applicants without the California POST Course waiver must apply for Police Officer Recruit, For more information about becoming a Police Officer with the Modesto Police Department, check out our recruitment page

Human Resources reserves the right to revise the selection process to best meet the needs of the City. The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A city application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City does not sponsor H-1B Visas.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions: Patrol assigned areas and interact with the community; work collaboratively with community residents to address problems and concerns with a focus on identifying solutions. Receive calls through dispatch and respond to requests for police services; respond to medical aide requests and administer first aide as needed. Perform problem-oriented policing functions and duties. Carry out all aspects of police work in accordance with department training and policy including but not limited to:

• Interviewing/questioning individuals as required.
• Conducting lawful stops, pursuits, searches of persons or property, detentions, citations and arrests of persons.
• Securing crime and accident scenes.
• Collecting and preserving evidence.
• Responding to traffic accidents for investigation of cause, traffic control, hazard removal and conduct traffic accident analysis and general traffic surveys.
• Completing accurate, complete and timely reports and booking of evidence.
• Testifying and presenting evidence in court proceedings.

Based on assignment, it may be required to investigate crimes, perform administrative duties, conduct crime prevention, or conduct training for other personnel.

Marginal Functions: Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of: City, state and federal laws, statutes, ordinances and court decisions; departmental policies; criminal investigations principles and practices; law enforcement crime prevention community and problem-oriented policing principles; interviewing and interrogation techniques; collection of evidence; and technology including various computer hardware, software applications and electronic applications. Ability to: Work in a community-based oriented policing environment, communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing; exercise tact, self-restraint and good judgement; demonstrate collaborative problem solving abilities, de-escalate tense and volatile situations; safely and appropriately use firearms and other weapons; enforce laws within established departmental guidelines, standards, policy, and law; and establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of employment.

Experience: Must have at least one year of full-time experience as a sworn peace officer with a California law enforcement agency and have at a minimum, a Basic POST certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Completion of a minimum of 15 units of college coursework from an accredited college or university is desirable.

License or Certificate Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license at time of application; valid California driver's license by time of appointment. Must possess a Basic POST certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.

Additional Requirements Must be a minimum of 21 years of age at date of application. Must meet the physical requirements of the job established by the department. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Mobility: pulling and pushing objects, sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, twisting, turning, stooping, squatting, and climbing. Lifting: Ability to perform tasks requiring strength and stamina, such as medium heavy lifting and moving equipment and objects weighing 75 pounds and continuously wearing a duty belt weight and other police equipment. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading of work papers, reports and special projects; color and depth vision; ability to identify suspects and interpret and apply the law to field situations; observation skills while conducting surveillance. Dexterity: perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation to use a computer and operate a motor vehicle. Hearing/Talking: verbal communication including projecting a voice that can be heard in a noisy environment, hearing and distinguishing various sounds; explain the law to the public. Emotional/Psychological: frequent concentration and decision making, frequent public and coworker contact, ability to maintain high level cognitive, observation and memory skills. Environmental: Must be willing to work in office and field environment, including life threatening emergencies WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed in both an office and field environment and requires travel from site to site. Overtime and shift work is required.