Police Officer - Lateral

Salary: $124,289.00 - $151,005.00 Annually
Location : Walnut Creek, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-01
Department: Police
Division: Patrol
Opening Date: 01/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 850


Position Description
Visit to learn more about how to level up your career in law enforcement with Walnut Creek!

Are you a current Police Officer looking for a thriving, community-oriented city to protect and serve? At the City of Walnut Creek, Police Officers serve with integrity, professionalism, and respect. If this sounds like you and you have successfully completed probation with your current department, we encourage you to apply to join the Walnut Creek Police Department family!

Read more about the requirements to become a Police Officer in Walnut Creek below (under "Qualification Guidelines").

Representative Duties


The following job duties represent many of those required of Police Officers at the City of Walnut Creek:

• Patrols an assigned area for the prevention and detection of crime and enforcement of laws and regulations; responds to and investigates reported disorders or crimes; notes and reports complaints, accidents, offenses and damages to property; reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; directs traffic.
• Makes arrests and advises suspects of rights; prepares reports on arrests and property impounded; inspects crime scenes and questions witnesses; checks alibis of suspects and attempts to determine the validity of statements made; analyzes clues and information related to a crime to determine how it was committed; reviews modus operandi of known criminals in attempting to determine relationships between criminals and crimes under investigation; reports on the progress of investigations and prepares assigned cases for court; serves warrants; appears in court to testify regarding arrests, citations and other law enforcement activities.
• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime; provides information and assistance to the public; issues warnings and citations to traffic law violators and inspects vehicles; searches and transports prisoners.
• Conducts special investigations and projects; makes public presentations to schools, businesses, and neighborhood groups; assists in the training and development of new employees.
• May act as temporary supervisor or Watch Commander.

Please see the class specification for a complete description of this classification's representative duties, requirements, working conditions, and physical requirements.

Qualifications Guidelines


The classification of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek requires the following first three elements of Education and Experience. Candidates must meet all four criteria below in order to move forward in the selection process for the position of Police Officer - Lateral.

Education and Experience:

1. High school graduation (or equivalent);
2. Completion of 60 semester units from a recognized college or university (up to 15 units from the police academy may be combined with other college units to meet the 60 semester units);
3. Possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate (out-of-state applicants may also be eligible for hire as a Lateral candidate by successful completion of the "Basic Course Waiver Process" administered by California P.O.S.T.); and
4. Successful completion of the probationary period as a Police Officer. If you are currently on probation at your present agency, and have never passed probation as a Police Officer previously, please apply through the "Academy Graduate" application process.

Note: if you do not meet the criteria above, you may qualify for the Police Officer - Trainee or Police Officer - Academy Graduate recruitments. If you apply to the incorrect Police Officer recruitment announcement based on your experience, you may be asked to submit your application anew. If you're unsure which recruitment you're most qualified for, please email us at for guidance prior to applying.
Special Requirements:

• Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a Class C California Driver's License and a good driving record.
• Candidate must meet City's medical standards pertaining to physical requirements prior to employment.
• Safely drive a vehicle under a variety of conditions.
• Handle, maintain, and use weapons.
• Subdue attackers using batons, tasers, pepper spray, control holds.
• Use restraining devices.
• Know and apply city and departmental policies and all laws applicable to performance of duties.
• Respond to citizen inquiries in person, via telephone and in writing.
• Administer CPR and other first aid.
• Lift, carry, drag and pull people and objects.
• Be able to communicate with citizens in times of emergency.
• Administer roadside sobriety tests and use chemical kits.
• Produce computer generated reports.

Supplemental Information


Applicants must apply online at to be eligible for consideration.

Applicants must complete an online employment application and answer the supplemental questions contained in the application. The application and answers to the supplemental questions will be reviewed and candidates meeting all required qualifications (as displayed on their application) will be placed on an eligibility list. Applicants on the list will be invited to participate in the testing process which will include an interview with the Police Recruitment Team. Successful candidates will be interviewed by the Police Chief.

Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to a thorough background investigation (consisting of, but not limited to, criminal history, Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting, DMV driving history review, credit check, previous/current employment references, and personal references), pre-placement medical exam including drug screening, a physical agility exam, and a psychological exam. The City reserves the right to request a candidate to submit to a polygraph exam.

The City of Walnut Creek is committed to providing a workforce with the highest standards of integrity and honesty. Honesty and integrity will be closely evaluated throughout the background process. All information provided by applicants is required to be truthful and accurate; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the examination process, please provide the Human Resources Department with advanced notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request.

As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disasters.

*This job announcement may close without notice when a sufficient number of applications have been received.
The City of Walnut Creek provides a generous benefit package to employees in the Walnut Creek Police Officers Association. A summary of key benefits is listed below. More information can be found on the benefit page of the City's website and in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Walnut Creek and the Walnut Creek Police Officers Association.

Note: The benefits listed below do not apply to Police Officer Trainees attending the police academy. After successful completion of the police academy Police Officer Trainees are typically appointed to the position of Police Officer. Upon appointment to the position of Police Officer the benefits applicable to the Walnut Creek Police Officers Association apply.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS
See MOU for details.

Additional Compensation - Officers meeting program requirements are eligible to receive:

• Educational Incentive Pay (BA or POST Advanced Certificate): 6.5% of base pay
• Shift Differential Pay (graveyard shift): 5% of base pay
• Special Assignment Pay: 5% - 7.5% of base pay
• Master Officer Pay: 3%, 6%, or 9% of base pay

Health Benefits - Choice of Kaiser or Blue Shield HMO or HDHP health insurance plans with generous City contribution.

Uniform Allowance - $1,000 per year

Dental and Vision Plans - Family coverage fully paid by the City.
Life Insurance and Disability - Individual coverage fully paid by the City.
Retirement Program - CalPERS
3% @ 55 formula or 2.7% @ 57 formula depending on qualifying factors under State law (AB340 California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA)).

Employee CalPERS Contributions:
12% for Classic Members
14.5% for PEPRA Members*
*Contributions required under AB340 California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

Retirement Health Savings (RHS) plan with a generous City contribution (see chart below) and a mandatory employee contribution of 1% of salary.

The RHS plan allows employees to accumulate assets to pay for health care expenses in retirement. Assets grow in a tax deferred account, and at retirement withdrawals are made on a tax-free basis to pay for an employee's (including their spouse and/or dependents) qualified medical expenses.

Years of Service

Annual City RHS Contributions

0-5 $2,000
>5-10 $2,500
>10-15 $3,500

>15-20 $4,000

>20-25 $4,500

>25 $5,000
Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan available . The City participates in the Medicare Program but does not participate in Social Security or the State Disability program.

Paid Leave and Holidays - General Leave accrues at the rate of 20 days the first year and progresses to 30 days at twenty-five years of service. Holiday in-lieu pay equivalent to 6.25% of base pay paid bi-weekly.

Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts - Available to eligible employees on a voluntary basis.

Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement Program, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Program, Commute Alternative Program, and others.
01


Qualification guidelines for Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek include graduation from high school (or equivalent) and the completion of 60 semester units at a recognized college or university (equivalent to 90 quarter units). Up to 15 semester units from the police academy may be combined with other college units to meet the 60 required semester units. Please select your highest level of academic achievement. (Please note: All educational requirements will be verified.)

• I have obtained my high school diploma (or equivalent); I do not meet the educational requirement for the position of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek.
• I have completed 44 semester units in college, or less; I do not meet the educational requirement for the position of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek.
• I have completed 45 to 59 semester units (I would like to use the units I earned in the Police Academy to supplement the educational requirement for this position).
• I have completed 60 or more semester units in college (equivalent to at least 90 quarter units), meeting the educational requirement for the position of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek.
• I have obtained my Associate's Degree, meeting the educational requirement for the position of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek.
• I have obtained my Bachelor's Degree, meeting the educational requirement for the position of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek.
• I have obtained my Master's Degree, meeting the educational requirement for the position of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek.

02


Are you currently employed as a sworn Police Officer?

• No, I am not currently employed as a sworn Police Officer.
• Yes, I am currently employed as a sworn Police Officer in the state of California.
• Yes, I am currently employed as a sworn Police Officer outside of California.

03


Have you successfully completed probation as a sworn Police Officer?Note: If you are currently on probation at your present agency, or you have not yet completed probation at any agency, please apply through the "Academy Graduate" application process. If you're not sure which recruitment you are best qualified for, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

• Yes, I have completed the probationary period as a sworn Police Officer in the State of California, meeting qualifications for this recruitment.
• Yes, I have completed the probationary period as a sworn Police Officer outside of the State of California and have completed the "Basic Course Waiver Process", meeting qualifications for this recruitment.
• Yes, I have completed the probationary period as a sworn Police Officer outside of the State of California, but I have not completed the "Basic Course Waiver Process". Therefore, I do not meet qualifications for this recruitment. (Note: Please apply after you receive your Waiver.)
• No. I have not completed the probationary period as a sworn Police Officer. Therefore, I do not meet qualifications for this recruitment.

04


Do you possess a valid California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate?Note: If your answer is "no", you might be best qualified to apply for the Police Officer - Trainee recruitment. If you're not sure which recruitment you're best qualified for, email us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

• Yes
• No

05


Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony? If "Yes", please explain the incident and outcome, including dates. If, "No", write "No".Please review before responding: - A "Yes" answer does not automatically disqualify you. - Answer "No" if: 1) any conviction for which the record has been judicially ordered sealed, dismissed, expunged, or reversed on appeal; 2) any misdemeanor conviction for which probation has been successfully completed or otherwise discharged and the case has been judicially dismissed pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4; or 3) any non-felony conviction for possession of marijuana that is two or more years old.
06


This position requires a 'good driving record'. The DMV standards set forth by the City of Walnut Creek include no DUI's or suspensions/revocations within the past seven five and no more than three 'routine' violations within the past five years. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

07


The City of Walnut Creek is committed to providing a workforce with the highest standards of integrity and honesty. Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to a thorough background investigation (consisting of, but not limited to, criminal history, Department of Justice fingerprinting, DMV driving history, credit check, previous/current employment references, and personal references), pre-placement medical exam including drug screening, and a psychological exam. The City reserves the right to request a candidate to submit to a polygraph exam. All applicants will be held to the highest standards of integrity and honesty. All information provided by applicants is required to be truthful and accurate; failure to do so may result in disqualification. I have read and understand the information provided above.

• Yes
• No

08


Why do you want to become a Police Officer with the City of Walnut Creek?
Required Question