Police Officer - Lateral

Salary: $120,962.66 - $147,030.78 Annually
Location : Police Department, 215 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2026-003-2400-PD-EU
Department: Police
Opening Date: 04/27/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


DESCRIPTION
The City of Santa Barbara is excited to announce that it is currently accepting applications for Police Officer positions within the Police Department.

Hiring Bonus up to $20,000; Relocation Allowance up to $7,500 for qualifying candidates

ABOUT US
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive.


The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. Work in a department where character counts, performance and excellence are celebrated, a place that helps employees develop and grow, and an environment that listens, learns, invites and inspires new ideas.


THE POSITION
Under general supervision, performs law enforcement & crime prevention work for the protection of life & property; patrols assigned area in police car, on motorcycle or on foot, enforcing federal, state & municipal laws & ordinances; issues warnings & citations for violations; responds to a variety of calls for public service; maintains constant radio contact with communications center; conducts preliminary investigations; testifies in court; apprehends, arrests & books suspects; & does other work as required.

SPECIAL PAY:
Officers may qualify for a variety of special pays in addition to the salary listed above including: bilingual pay, educational pay for Intermediate & Advanced Post Certificates, & bonus pay for special assignments such as Detective, Investigator, Canine Handler, F.T.O., DARE, Beat Coordinator, D.D.T., Community Relations, Training Officer, Traffic, School Resource Officer & a variety of grant funded assignments.
Candidates may be eligible for additional pay depending on qualifications and specialty. Please see the Benefits tab for more information.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Eligibility: To be eligible as a Police Officer-Lateral candidate, applicant must have passed a P.O.S.T. approved Academy & possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate, or for out-of-state applicants completion of the "Basic Course Waiver Process" administered by P.O.S.T., by the time of appointment.

Knowledge of: Oral & written communication skills required for report writing, verbal explanations of the law & court testimony; Basic Peace Officer Standards of Conduct & public relations.

Skill in: Using & maintaining firearms & police-related equipment.

Ability to: Think & act quickly in emergency situations, assess the situation accurately & apply police training & proper conduct in stressful situations; make accurate observations, document & communicate details, & recognize hazards, potential hazards, & crime problems; understand & follow written & oral directions & established police procedures; deal tactfully & effectively with members of the community & explain laws, rules & regulations; accurately communicate details of a situation in courtroom testimony; learn procedures & techniques involved in specialized police work such as crime scene investigations, traffic investigations & detective work; learn & enforce the applicable Federal, State & Municipal codes & Motor Vehicle Codes, including laws of arrest, search & seizure. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

License Requirement: Applicant must possess a valid California Driver's License at time of appointment. Traffic positions may require possession or acquisition of a Class "M" California Driver's License to operate motorcycles.

Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Physical: Weight proportionate to height, normal hearing & color vision; at least 20/100 vision, correctable to 20/25 (20/200 correctable to 20/25 with soft contact lenses); excellent health. Must also meet physical & psychological standards required to perform Police Officer duties.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.


The selection process may consist of the following:

1. Oral Exam
2. Physical Agility Exam (Pass/Fail)
3. Background Investigation
4. Polygraph
5. Psychological Evaluation
6. Medical Examination and Controlled Substances Screening

Candidates must successfully complete each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases.

You will receive an email notification prior to the testing date to confirm your attendance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

APPLICATIONS, WITH THE ATTACHED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM SIGNED, ARE ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR P.O.S.T. BASIC CERTIFICATE. NOTE: APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED IF INCOMPLETE.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.


Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $110-$222 / month.
• Specialty Assignment Pay of 2% - 6% is available for Sworn employees.
• POST Educational Incentive Pay of $396 - $656 / month is available for Sworn employees.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holiday leave is accrued at the rate of 5 hours / pay period.
• Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • Sworn employees - PERS Police Safety Formula: " Classic " members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. " New " members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 14.50% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • Non-sworn employees - PERS Miscellaneous Formula: " Classic " members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 8% of salary. " New " members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits is available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Police Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan : Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee-only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $500 / month.
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insuranc e: City-paid term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance is provided:
  
  • Sworn: $75,000
  • Non-sworn: $50,000
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their households.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is available through the Police Officers' Association.
• S hort-term Disability Insurance optional employee-paid coverage is available.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A Uniform Allowance of $863-$1,238 / year will be provided by the City.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.
• The City is also a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• The Santa Barbara Peace Officers' Association represents this classification.

Revised 12/1/2024
01


Please indicate which of these options applies to you. If NONE of these options apply to you, you are not eligible for consideration as a Police Officer - Lateral applicant and you must apply at the Police Officer - Entry or the Police Officer - Lateral openings:If you would like to discuss these application options, please call the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

• I am a California applicant who has passed a P.O.S.T. approved Academy & possesses a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate
• I am an out-of-California applicant who has applied for the BASIC COURSE WAIVER PROCESS administered by P.O.S.T.
• I am an out-of-California applicant who has completed the BASIC COURSE WAIVER PROCESS administered by P.O.S.T.

02


I have attached required certificates to my application. It is requirement of this application process to submit documentation demonstrating your completion and status of P.O.S.T. required certificates. You can complete this requirement by attaching a scanned copy of the certificates. Please certify these attachments have been posted to your application. If you need assistance with this matter, please call HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

• Yes
• No

03


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

04



POTENTIAL REASONS FOR REJECTION:

1. Conviction of any felony.
2. Conviction of any sex crime.
3. Conviction of larceny (Section 484 PC).
4. Conviction of or involvement in any other crime, whether adult or juvenile, the nature and seriousness of which would relate to the sensitivity and exposure characterized by this job classification.
5. Use of marijuana, narcotics, or other habit-forming drugs (other than prescribed) within the last year will disqualify. Any prior use or abuse of previously listed substances may disqualify. Failure to reveal prior use will disqualify.
6. Failure to possess a valid operator's license issued by the State of California; willful disregard of traffic rules and regulations; any grounds for which an operator's license might be refused.
7. A bad employment record, discourteous, disloyal, indecisive, undependable, uncooperative, lacking in capacity to work, insubordinate, disobedient, lacking in force, initiative, and judgment, lacking proper work habits and industry, emotionally unstable, unable to accept responsibility, unable to get along well with others, intemperance.
8. Does not have well balanced credit.
9. Poor community and neighborhood reputation.
10. Falsification of any required application or report.
11. Failure to have a high school diploma, GED Certificate, or equivalent.
12. Personality disorders.
13. Does not meet physical standards.
14. Failure to pass controlled substances screening.

I understand that as part of the qualifying process for Police Officer, I will have a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, a physical examination including controlled substances screening, and a thorough background investigation. I will also be required to complete a detailed personal history statement. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit my electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the APPLICANT STANDARD/REASONS FOR REJECTION listed above.

05


Were you referred to this position by a City of Santa Barbara Employee?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered "yes" to #5 above, please enter the name of the employee.
Required Question