Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary : $82,284.00 - $100,020.00 Annually
Location : Police Department 425 N. Irwin Street, Hanford, CA 93230, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27-06
Department: Police
Division: Operations
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


DESCRIPTION


The City of Hanford is seeking experienced, dedicated law enforcement professionals to join our team as a Police Officer (Lateral). If you are committed to public service, integrity, and building strong relationships within the community, we invite you to continue your law enforcement career with an organization that values professionalism, teamwork, and excellence.

Lateral Police Officer Recruitment Incentive s:

1. Signing Bonus: A one-time signing bonus for qualified lateral and/or experienced candidates. Candidates may choose between an immediate payment option (paid in 2 installments) or a deferred payment option.
2. Vacation Accrual: Forty (40) hours of vacation leave will be credited upon appointment.
3. Referral Stipend: A $1,500 referral stipend will be made available to active, full-time City employees who recruit applicants for a full-time vacant position.

This position performs general law enforcement duties on an assigned shift; responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; and promotes community order and protects life and property through the preservation of public peace and prevention of crime.

This is the journey-level sworn Police Officer class. Incumbents initially perform the more routine duties assigned to positions in this series and work under close supervision. However, as experience is gained, incumbents are expected to perform the full range of duties as assigned with increasing independence.

EXAMPLE OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES


Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:


Protect life and property by patrolling assigned areas, in vehicles, on motorcycles, or on foot as required.


Answer calls for service regarding criminal activity and other matters relating to the safety of the community.


Investigate conditions hazardous to life or property; respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service in a variety of situations.


Arrest and detain violators, by means of reasonably objective, lawful use of force if necessary.


Mediate conflict, provide crowd control, and provide general assistance to the public.


Obtain criminal complaints, serve warrants, and make arrests.


Gather and document evidence.


Perform traffic enforcement and traffic control duties via vehicle and on foot; issue citations as necessary.


Conduct criminal investigations for narcotics and alcohol violations, property crimes, and crimes against persons; inspect persons and property, including searching and checking buildings, vehicles, etc.


Write clear and concise reports; read and create law enforcement bulletins.


Administer roadside sobriety tests and evaluate subjects for evidence of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.


Serve on local and regional special task forces as assigned.


Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other district employees and the public using principles of good customer service.


Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.


Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.


Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

Methods, principles, and practices of California law enforcement and public safety.

Investigative techniques and procedures.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations, including laws of arrest, vehicle and penal codes.

Crowd and traffic control enforcement procedures.

Ability to:

Assess emergency and non-emergency situations and determine appropriate course of action.

On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of a sworn police officer's job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; remember accounts given by witnesses; identify crime suspects; interpret and apply the law to field situations; observe while conducting surveillance; problem solve crime situations; and explain law to the public.

On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in patrol vehicle; walk and stand during patrol activities; bend, squat and kneel during inspection of crime scene or conducting building searches; climb stairs and/or ladders; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation. Continuously wear a vest of up to 10 pounds and a gun belt of approximately 20 pounds; and intermittently carry weight of 100 pounds or less.

Maintain calm, rational, and professional demeanor during high levels of stress or critical incidents.

Use and care for firearms and wear body armor.

Operate police vehicle in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

Maintain objectivity while taking control of a situation; exercise respect for the rights of others.

Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software; utilize law enforcement databases including Automated Report Management System (ARMS), California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) and Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC).

Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.

Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.

Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.

Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.

Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and collaborative working relationships with others.

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Completion of a POST approved basic academy.

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

License and Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certificate.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, valid American Red Cross C.P.R., First Aid, and AED certification.

Ability to pass an extensive background investigation including medical and psychological exams.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Screening will consist of a competitive assessment of relevant education, training, and work experience to be followed by a written examination and/or an interview before an Oral Board to determine the most qualified candidates. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to an interview, and the decision of the screening committee is final. Those candidates who are determined eligible for appointment to the position will be placed on the City's Certified Eligibility List. Applicants will receive written notification regarding the results of all phases of the recruitment process up to the establishment of the Eligibility List, if applicable.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

• Public Employees' Retirement System: The City provides the PERS retirement program, 3% @ 55 for Classic Members and 2.7% @ 57 for New Members.
• Alternative Work Schedule: 3/12 plus an 8-hour plan for most patrol positions.
• Holiday Pay: 56 hours per year with an additional 56 hours added to a holiday-in-lieu bank.
• Vacation: Starts at 88 hours per year and up to 160 hours per year based on time of service.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours per year with unlimited accumulation. At retirement, Classic Members may apply unused sick leave toward retirement benefits.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Three medical plans to choose from to meet your family or financial needs. The City pays 60% of the total premium cost of all regular and probationary employees and their dependents.
• Hanford Employee Care Connection (City-sponsored clinic) is free and available to all insured full-time employees and covered dependents. Medical care offering same-day appointments, little to no co-pays, and comprehensive health care.
• City paid life insurance policy of $50,000.
• Tuition Reimbursement: A tuition reimbursement plan is available for work-related studies up to $5,000 per fiscal year.
• Bilingual Pay: 5% for eligible employees.
• Uniform Allowance: $1,200.00 a year
• Longevity Pay is provided to employees upon completion of ten, fifteen, and twenty years of California Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) qualified sworn peace officer full-time employment.
  Years of Service
  Percentage of Base Rate of Pay
  After the completion of 10 years
  5%
  After the completion of 15 years
  An additional 2.5% for a total of 7.5%
  After the completion of 20 years
  An additional 2.5% for a total of 10%
• POST Certificate Incentive Pay: 5% for Intermediate and 2.5% for Advanced POST Certificate.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan: Matched employer contributions up to $75.00 per pay period.
• Take-home vehicle for sworn employees residing within 25 miles of the Hanford Police Department.