Police Officer (Lateral)

Join The Mbpd Team

The City of Manhattan Beach welcomes qualified lateral candidates who share our values to join our team! Work by the beach and enjoy working at a state-of-the-art Police and Fire Safety Facility, housing the latest in public safety technology. MBPD employs approximately 65 sworn and 43 civilian full-time employees, and operates under two Bureaus - Administration/Investigations and Field Operations. Lateral applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Salary placement will be determined based on experience. Certification Pay: Additional compensation is available for qualifying certifications, including POST certification, education pay, along with longevity pay, etc. For full details, please refer to the POA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). A recruitment bonus of 3% - 10% of starting base salary is available to new hires at the time of appointment to Police Officers OUR VALUES Trust, Honesty, Integrity, Professionalism, Teamwork, Loyalty, Pride We will strive to always exceed the expectations of those we serve, focus on being positive and optimistic, and treat everyone with the highest level of professionalism.

ABOUT THE CITY Manhattan Beach, the city of "Sun, Sand, and Sea," is an exciting and beautiful beach community located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. Incorporated in 1912, the City's population is approximately 35,000.

SUMMARY Under general supervision, patrols an assigned area and enforces public safety laws, codes, and regulations; engages in crime prevention activities; responds to calls for assistance including completing records and reports; carries out special collateral assignments in the protection of life and property; and performs other related duties as assigned. Distinguishing Characteristics: The Police Officer is distinguished from the Police Sergeant, who serves as the first line supervisor, and has responsibility for the development, coordination, and evaluation of sworn personnel that are part of a work shift, division, or bureau. Police Officers may work special assignments, such as S.W.A.T., K-9, and Field Training Officer. Academy Graduate/ Police Officer is an apprentice level specification in which incumbent has graduated from a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Basic Academy training program, but have not received a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate with a comparable agency. Incumbent performs under direct supervision and generally do not perform police officer duties independently until the successful completion of field training. Police Officer is a journey level specification. Positions at this level are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from Academy Graduate/Police Officer, or when filled from the outside, require current employment as a peace officer as specified in California State Penal Code Section 830.1, or Section 830.0 (a) - (d). Appointment to Police Officer requires that the employee perform the full range of duties and meet the qualification standards for the specification.

Essential Duties

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.

• Patrols an assigned area on foot or by vehicle and enforces Federal and State laws, and local ordinances and regulations pertaining to public safety and law enforcement; observes designated areas in which significant crime has been reported.
• Responds to radio calls and citizen requests for protection of life, property and public assistance.
• Appears at scenes of crime and public disorder and determines proper course of action; provides first aid or CPR as first responder for persons in need of medical assistance; investigates suspicious vehicles or persons; and restores proper flow of traffic.
• Gives verbal warnings and prepares citations, crime reports, arrest reports, patrol reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, impounded, and property reports.
• Conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths, or other types of incidents involving possible violation of public safety statutes.
• Assists with crime scene investigations and the handling and preservation of evidence; arrests suspects and completes booking reports.
• Questions suspects and interviews victims and witnesses; examines conditions of accident and crime scenes; notes and reports traffic hazards; takes written statements; completes police field reports and writes supplementary reports; and testifies in Court regarding facts, circumstances, and violations.
• Completes follow-up investigations and monitors status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including Court orders.
• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; and assists other law enforcement agencies and public safety personnel in responding to calls.
• Develops and maintains positive relations with citizens, business owners, schools, other community members, and attends public meetings; provides safety or traffic control services for parades, various public activities and events.
• Participates in daily police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs; demonstrates proficiency at shooting range.
• When assigned to Detective section, conducts criminal and civil case investigations; interviews victims, witnesses, suspects, and other parties to obtain leads; and establishes the nature and causes of potential crimes and violations of statutes.
• When assigned to Traffic detail, also 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 S.W.A.T. Team, responds to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety.
• May perform other collateral duties as assigned, such as Field Training Officer and K-9 and serve as special instructors.

Minimum Qualification Guidelines

Education/Training/Experience: High school graduation or G.E.D. is required. Completion of up to 60 semester level units related to general education and police science is desirable. Academy Graduate/Police Officer candidates must have graduated from a P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Academy at the time of appointment. Lateral Police Officer candidates must be currently employed at least one (1) year as a peace officer as specified in the State of California Penal Code, Section 830.1 or Section 830.2 (a) - (d) and possess a valid Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.

Licenses/Certificates: A valid Class C California driver's license and acceptable driving record is required at time of appointment. For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment within one (1) year of assignment.

Knowledge of: Police science principles, practices and professional standards. Federal Constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications. State Penal Codes, Traffic Codes, Civil Codes, and other statutes, Court decisions, and case law. Local codes and ordinances. Departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and control techniques, and handling of contraband. Crime prevention principles. Basic criminal investigation methods. Self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques. Radio codes and proper field communication techniques. Principles of human behavior. Professional standards. Contemporary patrol, traffic enforcement, and related police services, including specialty assignments. Communicable disease control methods and techniques. Proper care and maintenance of property and equipment. Public relations techniques.

Ability to: Operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, and firearms and non-lethal weapons. Interpret and apply federal and State public safety laws and regulations as well as local codes and ordinances. Prepare and present clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records; convey clear instructions or execute commands. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, police management, City departments, public and private agencies, community groups, and the general public. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports. Exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations. Think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations. Relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.

Special Requirements: Ability to work extended hours in order to meet shift needs, complete reports, attend meetings, or conduct police business. Employees hired after September 3, 1988, shall refrain from smoking tobacco or using any other tobacco substance at any time, on or off duty. Age: Must be at least 21 years of age or older at the time of appointment. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States of America or a permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for citizenship. Psychological: Applicants will undergo a psychological assessment by a qualified professional to determine their suitability for the position. Background Investigation: Applicants will undergo a complete, comprehensive, P.O.S.T. approved, background investigation.

Application & Selection Process

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. All applicants will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified