POLICE OFFICER (LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE)

Salary : $95,041.40 - $121,299.58 Annually
Location : Police Department - 2745 Walnut Avenue, Signal Hill, CA
Job Type: Full-Time (Non-Exempt)
Job Number: 2025-0049
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 06/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Position Description
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB BULLETIN, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRING STANDARDS BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.


Join the City of Signal Hill Police Department for a rewarding career, where Officers care about their community and the community supports its Officers. The Department is devoted to enhancing the quality of life in the City by providing a proactive and professional level of police service, and treating all persons with fairness, respect, and dignity.
The City of Signal Hill is not only a small 2.2-square-mile city. It is also a tight-knit and peaceful community that recognizes and appreciates the value of its Police Department. The Signal Hill Police Department has a state-of-the-art facility, technology, equipment, and a great relationship with the community, making us THE PLACE TO WORK in Los Angeles County.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the job announcement in its entirety before submitting an application for this position.
The City of Signal Hill is searching for QUALIFIED LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE APPLICANTS. THIS IS NOT AN ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION.
Application and Selection Process Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis in order to meet the needs of th e City. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.
Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Proof of required documents, such as Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate/Waiver, or DD-214 for Veteran's Credit, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. No email documents will be accepted. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted in lieu of application). Failure to submit all required materials will result in disqualification. Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process.


POLICE OFFICER LATERAL: Must be a current non-probationary police officer in good standing with at least one year experience with a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved agency and possession of a California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.

• California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate or Waiver
• California Applicants: Employed full-time for at least one continuous year in the State of California as a Peace Officer and possession of a valid issued by the State of California (proof required with application).
• Out of State Applicants: Employed full-time for at least one continuous year of sworn general law enforcement experience and possession of the from P.O.S.T. (proof required with application)

POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATE: Must be a graduate of a California P.O.S.T. certified academy.

• Proof of graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified academy.

Please note the exam dates listed below are tentative and subject to change. Please regularly monitor your email for communication regarding exam dates.
Examination Plan Weight Tentative Exam Date Interview90%August 2026Writing Skills Exercise10%August 2026Command Staff Interview QualifyingTBD
Under general supervision, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; performs investigative work, and performs a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

Example of Duties
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics.
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Patrol

• As a Patrol Officer, patrol the City in a radio-equipped car; respond to calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robbery, death, and other criminal incidents.
• As a Senior Officer, serve as Watch Commander and assist the Field Sergeant with supervisory duties.
• As a field training officer, train and evaluate officers in law enforcement policies, procedures, and tactics; prepare related reports.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
• Stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices; issue citations and make arrests as necessary.
• Check buildings for physical security.
• Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
• Transport prisoners to court; serve warrants and subpoenas; retrieve and request information involving arrests and subpoenas; file complaints and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Assist with the service of warrants within the Department and with outside agencies; provide functional guidance to clerical staff involved in warrant processing; keep up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.
• Administer first aid as necessary.

Traffic

• As a Traffic Officer, patrol the City in a patrol unit; respond to calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies; observe, monitor, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions; assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws.
• Investigate traffic accidents; determine cause and fault of the accident; prepare related reports and maintain appropriate statistics.

Investigations

• Coordinate and conduct complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming, and narcotics violations.
• Participate in a variety of law enforcement activities including enforcing local and state laws, issuing citations, making arrests, and transporting prisoners.
• Coordinate Police activities with other agencies, including surrounding cities and the County Sheriff's Office.
• Secure crime scenes; collect and maintain physical evidence, including fingerprints and photographs; conduct initial and follow-up crime scene investigations.

General

• Supervise the Department firearms range; train and evaluate sworn personnel in the use of firearms; order and maintain ammunition.
• Inspect and maintain department weapons.
• Participate in the development of training methods, procedures, and materials.
• Research information and maintain records related to Department and personal legal liability.
• Perform crime prevention inspections; research and advise the public on principles and procedures designed to minimize criminal opportunity.

Marginal Functions

Perform various related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• High School graduate or GED equivalent; and
• Sixty college units with an emphasis on criminal justice, administration of justice, or related field is desirable.

Experience/Training

• Lateral candidates must be employed in good standing with a California P.O.S.T. approved law enforcement agency and successfully completed the probationary period.

Certificate/License

• Must possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or proof of graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified academy; and
• Valid California Driver's License.

Age/Citizenship/Other

• Must be age 21 or older;
• U.S. Citizenship is required or evidence of application for U.S. Citizenship at least six months prior to the date of the employment application; and
• No felony convictions.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques and equipment, jail operations, police reports, and first aid techniques.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.
• Self-defense tactics.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Working knowledge/ability to utilize personal computers.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing skilled movements, such as self-defense or in the use of radar devices, ETS, intoxilizers, and other police equipment.
• Ability to exert mildly heavy physical effort in moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as the operation of a police vehicle or the use of firearms.
• Ability to lift, push and pull 75 to 100 pounds.
• Height in proportion to weight.

Mathematical Ability:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
• Ability to calculate decimals, ratios, percentages, and fractions.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the valuation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria.
• Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives; ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information; ability to classify, compute, tabulate and categorize data.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:

• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as technical operating manuals, procedures, guidelines, laws, and regulations.

Environmental Adaptability:

• Ability to work under unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors, such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, violence, noise, vibrations, wetness, machinery, disease, and/or dust, cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury, requiring extended recovery and possible loss of life or limb.
• Ability to learn, advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Ability to persuade, convince and /or train others, including the ability to act in a lead worker capacity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and citizens, both verbally and in writing.

Supplemental Information:

This selection procedure will be conducted using a non-competitive process. Only those candidates identified as the best-qualified whose qualifications best meet the needs of the City will be invited to participate in the examination process by the Police Department.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a thorough background check including Live Scan fingerprinting Department of Justice (DOJ) and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), background investigation (including polygraph examination), a pre-employment medical evaluation (including a drug screen), and psychological evaluation.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE : Veterans who receive a passing score on all phases of the examination shall receive an additional 5 points toward their final score. Proof of honorable discharge (DD214) required at the time of application.
All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification. Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience, or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of Signal Hill.
The City of Signal Hill supports workplace diversity.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (562) 989-7307/4 no later than (5) business days before the test date.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• 96 hours of vacation leave annually
• 96 hours of sick leave annually with buy-back program
• 11 paid holidays per year (88 hours)
• 28 hours of personal leave annually
• Employees hired on or after December 4, 2010 will participate in the 3% @ 55 PERS retirement formula and contribute 9% of the required employee's share. Average of final three years retirement calculation. This retirement formula is available to those candidates who currently work for a PERS agency or a PERS reciprocal agency or have worked for a PERS agency or a PERS reciprocal agency within the last six (6) months
• 2.7% @ 57 PERS retirement formula. Employees will be required to contribute 14.5% of the total normal cost of the benefit. There will be no Employer Paid Member Contribution. Average of final three years retirement calculation. This formula is provided to new PERS members and those candidates who have been separated from a PERS agency or a PERS reciprocal agency for more than six (6) months
• Medical insurance - The City participates in the CalPERS health benefit program and contributes up to $1,200 per month toward medical premiums. An additional $800 is available for individuals with health, dental and/or vision premiums not fully covered with the $1,200. 75% of any monies remaining (of the $1,200) after medical premiums are paid may be applied toward optional benefits including: vision, dental, or deferred compensation plan. No cash pay-out in lieu of benefits
• Dental - City contribution of $70 per month
• Vision insurance - Employee premium paid by City
• Based on years of City service, qualified Retirees may be eligible for City contribution to retiree health premium
• Employees contribute $625 per year towards their retiree health benefit.
• $50,000 Life Insurance Policy
• Short & Long Term Disability Plans - employee paid
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Flexible Benefits Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program or Education Incentive Program
• Advance POST Pay
• Longevity Pay
• 12 hour shift, allowing three and four days off per week
• $925 annual uniform allowance for Patrol Officers

The Police Department is a certified employer of the Department of Veterans Affairs On-the-Job-Training (VA OJT) Program. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive up to one year of GI Bill benefits while in training as a Police Officer

City of Signal Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, military or veteran status, ancestry, disability, and age (over 40), or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws.
AN EEO/ADA/VET Employer.
01


You are hereby admonished that any false statement or omission on your employment application and supplemental questions shall be cause for immediate disqualification and/or dismissal if an appointment is made. Do you understand this admonishment?

• Yes
• No

02


Please indicate your applicant status as it pertains to this recruitment. Note: "Not Applicable" will automatically disqualify you from this recruitment.

• Lateral (sworn non-probationary status)
• Academy Graduate
• Not Applicable

03


This is NOT an entry-level (Police Recruit) position. Are you a graduate of a California P.O.S.T. certified academy?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

04


ACADEMY GRADUATE CANDIDATES - Please list the name of the academy you attended and your graduation date (please attach your proof of graduation to the application). indicate N/A if not applicable.
05


LATERAL CANDIDATES - Which of the following California P.O.S.T. Certificate do you currently possess?(Please attach the certificate to the application)

• Basic Certificate
• Basic Certificate Waiver (for out-of-state applicants)
• Intermediate Certificate
• Advanced Certificate
• Supervisory Certificate
• Not Applicable

06


LATERAL CANDIDATES - Are you currently employed as a sworn police officer and have you successfully completed your probationary period?

• Yes
• No

07


LATERAL CANDIDATES - How many years of experience do you have as a sworn peace officer with a California P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency?

• No experience/Not Applicable
• Less than 1 year experience
• 1 to less than 2 years' experience
• 2 to less than 3 years' experience
• 3 to less than 4 years' experience
• 4 to less than 5 years' experience
• 5 years or more experience

08


LATERAL CANDIDATES - What areas of special assignment(s) in sworn law enforcement have you held? (i.e. patrol, detective, motor, training, etc.)? indicate N/A if not applicable.
09


Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• High School diploma or equivalent GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's or advanced degree

10


Are you a citizen of the United States or have you applied for U.S. citizenship?

• Yes
• No

11


Have you sold drugs or narcotics at any time?

• Yes
• No

12


Have you used LSD, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, or any other illegal drugs at any time? (excluding marijuana)

• Yes
• No

13


If you answered 'Yes' to question 12, please provide an explanation below. If not, enter 'N/A'.
14


Do you currently have a valid California driver's license? if not, do you have a valid state-issued driver's license and do you understand that you must obtain a valid California driver's license upon hire?

• Yes
• No

15


Do you currently have motor vehicle insurance? If not, are you able to obtain motor vehicle insurance?

• Yes
• No

16


Have you had your driver's license revoked or suspended within the last 3 years?

• Yes
• No

17


Have you had 3 traffic citations within the last 12 months?

• Yes
• No

18


Have you been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

19


Are you currently on probation or parole?

• Yes
• No

20


Have you ever been untruthful to a background investigator?

• Yes
• No

21


Have you ever falsified or omitted any data on personal history statements for law enforcement agencies?

• Yes
• No

22


Have you ever been disqualified during the background process for any position within a law enforcement agency? If yes, please explain and include the law enforcement agency, date, and reason provided (if known). indicate N/A if not applicable.
23


Have you ever applied for any position with the Signal Hill Police Department? If yes, list the postion(s) and date(s) applied. If no, indicate "no".
24


Please let us know how you heard about this job posting by providing the name of the resource or the website.
Required Question