Police Officer Recruit

Job Bulletin

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. Please thoroughly review the entire job bulletin including the applicant information and testing schedule section before submitting your employment application. Police Officer Salary up to $137,467 annually (plus academy costs/expenses while a recruit). A 5% salary increase effective July 4, 2026 AND a $10,000 signing bonus is available.

Successful Police Officer Recruit Candidates will be paid $3,334 of the signing bonus at the time of hire, $3,333 after completion of a field training program and 18-month probationary period, and $3,333 at the completion of a second year of service.

The City of Buena Park Police Department offers a work environment unmatched in Orange County. Would you like to be part of a team that believes in investing in partnerships with the community, proactive crime prevention, community education, and overall effective police work? If so, the City of Buena Park Police Department features the following services:

• Patrol services, traffic/enforcement, K9 unit, and SWAT
• Youth Explorer Program, School Resource Officer Program, and the Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) Volunteer Program
• Crime prevention, investigative services bureau, and forensics
• Regional narcotics suppression program, gang unit, community impact team (CIT), gang reduction and intervention partnership (G.R.I.P.)
• Crimes, persons unit/property unit and the Orange County Auto Theft Task Force (OCATT)
• DRONE-AS-FIRST-RESPONDER (DFR) PROGRAM

Our philosophy of community-oriented policing is practiced by all Buena Park Police Personnel. The Buena Park Police Department believes in investing in partnerships with the community and actively pursues opportunities for community education. Through the development of unique teams, such as the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force (NITF), Community Impact Team (CIT), as well as teams of officers working in specific problem areas, the Buena Park Police Department has been able to have a significant impact on crime and build strong community trust.

The Buena Park Police Department is proud of its state-of-the-art facility built in 2009. Our facilities were built with the future of police work in mind.

• 24/7 expansive employee gym with impressive locker room facilities for both men and women
• Large patrol equipment storage lockers located near police cars
• On-site weapons training facility
• State-of-the-art tactical equipment
• High-tech dispatch center
• The latest computer technology with the focus on paperless processes
• Dictation services available for report writing

Working environment encourages career growth, education, and advancement through generous training opportunities and robust promotional opportunities. Proactive police work is encouraged through opportunities for advanced investigation and collaborative relationships with detectives as a regular course of business for Buena Park Police Officers. Alternative work schedules, such as a 3/12 work week and special event overtime opportunities, such as Knott's Berry Farm and community events, are also available.

Training provided - Police Academy Career-minded individuals will be enrolled in a California P.O.S.T. certified basic police academy in a non-sworn capacity under the sponsorship of the Buena Park Police Department. After meeting all state-mandated academy requirements, including graduation from the police academy, incumbents will be considered for promotion to Police Officer.

General purpose: Under general supervision, patrols an assigned area, enforces public safety laws, codes, and regulations, maintains order, prevents, detects, and investigates crime, and carries out special assignments in the protection of life and property; and does related work as required.

Distinguishing characteristics: The Police Officer is 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 motors, traffic, K-9, detective, SWAT, field training officer, jail, bike team, VIP handling, reserves, and similar details.

Essential functions: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

1. Enforces federal and state laws and regulations, and local ordinances related to public safety and law enforcement.
2. Patrols an assigned area of the city, in a motor 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 special assignment detail.
3. Prepares citations, arrest reports, crime reports, daily observation reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, and impounded property reports.
4. Responds to radio messages and citizen requests for protection of life, property, and public assistance; appears at crimes 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.
5. Gives verbal warnings and issues citations; inspects premises; 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 violation of public safety laws and codes.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; monitors status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including court orders.
10. Develops and maintains positive relations with citizens, business owners, and other members of the community.
11. Participates in police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs.
12. Receives, searches, books, fingerprints, and takes custody of prisoners; guards and transports prisoners; provides meals and completes daily records.
13. When assigned to Reserves details, tracks and coordinates the scheduling and training of Reserve Police Officers.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. When assigned to K-9 detail, 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.
17. 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; testifies in cases.
18. 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.
19. 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; testifies in cases.
20. 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.
21. Provides escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings.

Qualifications guidelines: Knowledge of police science principles, practices, and professional standards; federal constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications; state laws, penal codes, traffic codes, and civil codes, statutes, court decisions, and case law; local codes and ordinances, departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and custody of prisoners or contraband; criminal investigation methods, identification methods; crime prevention