Police Officer Lateral/Academy Grad

Salary : $93,121.60 - $118,851.20 Annually
Location : Davis, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00852
Department: Police Department
Division: Patrol Division
Opening Date: 07/08/2025
Closing Date: Continuous


Description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of law enforcement and community relations duties involving collaborative problem solving with covered communities, the detection and prevention of crime; the protection of life and property; the enforcement of laws, codes, and ordinances; conducts surveillance; investigative work; controls of traffic flow and enforcement of traffic regulations; participations in, and provision of support and assistance to, crime prevention and enforcement programs; responses to various routine, emergency, and other calls for service or assistance; preparation of cases and testimony in court; assignments in specialized Departmental roles or on task forces; provision of information and assistance to the public; familiarization with community residents; and other related work as required or assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management as reflected in the Department organizational chart. Occasionally exercises functional and technical supervision over subordinate sworn trainees, and non-sworn personnel and volunteers as reflected in the Department organizational chart.


CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This sworn-classification is responsible for independently performing law enforcement duties in support of the Police Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the Police Department. This class is distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is an advanced journey-level class in the sworn series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized police service activities with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work.

Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
The Davis Police Department is accredited by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). POST, in accordance with State law, may, from time to time, amend the regulations and standards or adopt new standards relating to the accreditation program. The Department incorporates the POST California Peace Officer Job Analysis report, as periodically amended, to help establish typical job functions and standards.

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence for the purpose of detecting or deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public.
• Serves as a spokesperson and/or attends a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities; cultivates good community relations by appearing before civic, fraternal, and other community groups.
• Builds relationships with community-based partners and effective collaboration, and often, before conflicts arise; improves understanding of and insight into the needs of specific diverse communities; reaches and establishes trust with the most vulnerable groups in the community.
• Patrols the City to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to routine and emergency calls for service, including, but not limited to disturbances, burglaries, robberies, drug crimes, vehicle collisions, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, deaths, and other incidents to protect public safety, life, and property.
• Resolves problems and de-escalates/diffuses situations/conflict.
• Enforces State and local laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations.
• Takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers against unlawful practices; issues citations; performs high-risk stops; makes arrests as necessary; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles; provides direction and traffic control at incidents, special events, or other congested situations.
• Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes and related matters.
• Detains individuals; makes arrests; takes individuals into custody; transports individuals to for medical clearance, and/or booking at a longer-term facility; searches, fingerprints and photographs individuals.
• Evaluates and detains individuals for mental health holds.
• Prepares police reports and/or memoranda on detentions made, arrests made, activities 41performed, and incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related or Department reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Retrieves and requests information for law enforcement investigations; files complaints and performs other work related to the processing of criminal complaints; serves writs, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Prepares, files, and/or serves arrest and search warrants, including high-risk warrants.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; collects, processes, photographs, and presents evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, DNA, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.
• Interviews people; documents interviews; interrogates suspects.
• Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney's Office.
• Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies in accordance with Departmental policy; cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Provides outreach to homeless individuals; observes for potential physical or behavioral health issues; conducts welfare checks; takes appropriate action as needed.
• When assigned, provides field training and trains officers in areas such as patrol, investigations, use of weapons, weaponless defense, traffic enforcement, safety, report writing, community-based policing, and Department policy and procedures.
• Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required; schedules and implements crime prevention and educational programs.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.
• Releases information to the public in accordance with Department policy.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment.
• Observes and complies with all Department and City safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• May serve in a variety of specialized and/or collateral assignments including, but not limited to; detectives, training coordinator, intelligence-led policing, bike patrol, motors, K-9 handler, school resource officer, use-of-force instructor, reserve/cadet coordinator, crisis negotiator, SWAT, major collision investigations, explosive ordnance disposal, and specialized evidence response.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Police-Community Relations.
• Principles of "Guardian Mindset" and Procedural Justice.
• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement agency.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of law enforcement including patrol, investigations, interview and interrogation, crime prevention, and special operations functions.
• Laws and procedures with particular reference to the apprehension, detention and arrest of individuals committing crimes or suffering from mental health crisis.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Criminal court system processes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of interviewing and eliciting information from people.
• Traffic control, enforcement, and education methods.
• Police communications, property, jails, and custody operations.
• Procedures in handling warrants, filing complaints, court appearances, and testifying.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Applicable federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work performed, including the safe use and proper care of weapons and other modern police equipment/technology.
• Methods and techniques of preparing police reports, memoranda and related documentation.
• Self-defense tactics.
• The use of respirators and personal protective equipment.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and the release of confidential or public records.
• Department and City safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of service by effectively dealing with people.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform routine and complex duties, such as responding to calls for service and critical incidents to ensure the protection and safety of the community, people and property.
• Determine response to dynamic and rapidly changing critical incidents (e.g., in-progress crimes, active shooters); problem solve law enforcement and/or related situations; make sound, independent decisions in emergency/critical situations.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed; monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Coordinate activities of law enforcement and/or public safety personnel at crime scenes.
• Establish Incident Command System at scenes until relieved by superior officer.
• Lawfully possess, use, and care for firearms and other modern police equipment/technology in the course of employment; qualify and/or engage in required practice with weapons (e.g., firearms, impact weapons, chemical agents, conducted electric devices).
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; transmit, receive, and monitor messages over police radio (e.g., patrol car radio, hand-held radio, scanners); transmit, receive, and monitor messages over car computer terminals (e.g., MDT); operate body-worn technology according to agency policy (e.g., uniform cameras, sensors, audio recorders).
• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places; remember accounts given by witnesses; identify crime suspects; observe while conducting surveillance.
• Conduct effective interviews and interrogations; summarize and document interviews and interrogations.
• Effectively communicate with hostile and/or aggressive individuals in attempts to or to de-escalate people/situations.
• Pursue, apprehend, and subdue individuals in accordance with procedures; engage in foot pursuits; subdue resisting or attacking persons using arrest and control techniques; use hands, feet, or other body parts in weaponless defense.
• Process crime scenes and maintain chain-of-custody of evidence.
• Wear duty and protective equipment for an extended period of time; pass respirator medical and fit-testing; wear a respirator in static or critical incidents.
• Operate equipment and vehicles of the Department in a safe and responsible manner; drive vehicles while multitasking (e.g., using computer/communications equipment); drive vehicles in darkness, inclement weather, and/or hazardous conditions; drive vehicles in emergency responses (e.g., Code 3 versus non-emergency responses) and pursuits.
• Work in close proximity with specialty units (e.g., K-9, narcotics, helicopter, tactical teams).
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Understand, communicate, and implement the City's and the Police Chief's Department and policing philosophy.
• Offer credible testimony in court or while under oath.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Maintain confidentiality of police records; release police records in accordance with the law.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Meet and maintain all POST, OSHA, legislatively required, and Department required training mandates for peace officer job classifications.
• Meet and maintain the minimum standards established by State law and POST to serve as a peace officer (Government Code § 1029; Government Code § 1031; Government Code § 1031.4 (a); 11 CCR 1950 et seq.).

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.


Education:

• In accordance with POST requirements, must be a high school graduate , passed the General Education Development (GED) Test or other high school equivalency test approved by the California Department of Education, or possess a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution.

Experience:

• None.

Other:

• Must be at least 21 years of age. Must be a United States Citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship. Must be of good moral character and able to successfully complete a thorough background investigation and meet the background job dimensions for a peace officer as recommended by POST.
• Must be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose a criminal record.
• Must be free of any felony convictions

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License that must be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate that must be maintained throughout employment or possession of a valid POST Police Academy Completion Certificate, valid POST Academy Requalification Course Certificate, or valid POST Academy Waiver Certificate with accompanying proof of peace officer eligibility issued by POST prior to appointment. Employees hired without a POST Basic certificate must have the ability to obtain and possess a valid POST Basic Certificate upon passing probation that must be maintained throughout employment.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS
Employees must possess mobility to work primarily in a field environment and to maintain POST Patrol Officer Physical Job Demands Medical Screening guidelines, including requirements for mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to operate vehicles in all conditions, frequently at a high rate of speed, to maintain weapons qualifications and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.
The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking, running, crawling, or standing on uneven terrain and climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards. Vision, finger and manual dexterity is needed to operate an emergency vehicle at high rates of speed in emergency situations; to operate police services equipment and weapons; and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work. Employees must possess the ability to apprehend, control, lift, carry, push, and pull people and equipment as determined within the POST Patrol Officer Physical Job Demands Medical Screening guidelines. Employees must be able to work in confined spaces, at heights and in subterranean environments. Employees must be able to work while wearing personal protection equipment such as full-face respirators, ballistic vests, and other police safety gear.
This position also works in an office or station environment, and uses standard office equipment, including a computer.

Throughout employment, employees must be free from physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation which might adversely affect the exercise of police powers. Physical condition and emotional and mental condition shall be evaluated as required under Government Code § 1031 and pursuant to the standards set forth by POST.


ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in indoor/outdoor conditions and are exposed to loud noise levels, noxious odors, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances, biological substances, pathogens and allergens such as; particulates, blood, chemicals, smoke, aerosols, fumes and cleaners. Employees also work in an office or station environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions.

There may be exposure to criminal offenders, individuals with mental illnesses, individuals with disabilities, violent individuals and persons infected with communicable/infectious diseases/medical conditions. Employees may interact with upset personnel and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing Departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to be on-call, is subject to emergency call-out, and is required to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
DPOA - Sworn
2025 Summary of Benefits

CalPERS Retirement: Eligible date of hire. The city contracts with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): 3% @ 50 retirement formula for Classic PERS members and 2.7% @ 57 retirement formula for new enrollees to PERS.

• 80 to 168 hours of Vacation Leave per year, based on Years of Service in peace officer classification.
• 96 hours of Sick Leave per year
• 120 hours of holiday-in-lieu per year
• $1,500 annual uniform replacement allowance
• $150 annual uniform cleaning allowance
• Education Incentive Pay
• Bilingual pay
• Shift Differential pay
• Marksmanship, Hazard Premium, POST incentive pays
• Flexible Benefit Plan including health, dental and vision cafeteria plan and mandatory Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability premiums.
• City provided maximum Cafeteria benefit of $2,563.61 monthly towards Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage premiums.
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Deferred Compensation plans available
• Longevity Pay: 2.5% every 5 years starting with 10 years of cumulative sworn service and up to 25 years of sworn service
• Supplemental and dependent life insurance available
• Sworn Officer Equipment, Computer, and Bicycle Loan Policies

Survivor Benefit: The city contracts with the Public Employees Retirement System for the 1959 Survivor Benefit Level Four (4).


In compliance with federal law, the City is required to withhold 1.45% of gross salary for Medicare.


The City does not participate in Social Security.


DPOA MOU:
01


Do you have a California P.O.S.T. Academy Graduate, Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you currently enrolled in a Police Academy?

• Yes
• No

Required Question