Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate

Salary : $111,550.40 - $129,313.60 Annually
Location : Police Department, 111 Civic Drive, Hercules, CA
Job Type: Full-time, Benefited
Job Number: 2026-00002
Department: Police
Division: Patrol
Opening Date: 01/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Definition
Serve. Protect. Make a Real Difference.
Step into a role where every day counts. As a Police Officer with the Hercules Police Department , you'll protect lives, uphold the law, and build trust within a diverse and growing community. From patrol to investigations and specialized units like traffic or the Special Response Team, you'll take on meaningful work that matters-backed by strong leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to the Hercules community.
Whether you're starting your law enforcement career or looking for a department where you can grow, Hercules Police Department offers the opportunity to do meaningful work with purpose and pride.
POLICE OFFICER
Performs a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, and providing information and assistance to the public; performs related work as assigned.

This is the first working level in law enforcement, performing all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve the normal scope of peace officer situations. Incumbents may be assigned to patrol, traffic, detective, juvenile crime prevention, Special Response Team, or other police-related functions. This class is distinguished from uniformed civilian police-related classes by designation and the responsibilities and authorities associated with designations as a sworn peace officer under the laws of the State. It is further distinguished from the Police Sergeant, which both supervises and participates in law enforcement activities.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please note that this is not an entry level police officer position. Please see our job opening for Police Officer Trainee if you are not currently enrolled in or recently graduated from the police academy.

1. Submit a completed City of Hercules application online.


2. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, and only those candidates demonstrating the strongest qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in a panel interview.

3. Candidates that pass the panel interview will be subject to an extensive background examination including a polygraph test, psychological exam, and physical.

4. Once testing is complete the Chief of Police shall review the background and post-conditional offer assessments and make the final determination as to whether a formal job offer is to be made.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives supervision from the Police Officer designated as an Officer-In-Charge, Police Sergeant, Police Commander, Police Chief, or their designees.

Essential Functions

• Patrols assigned areas to ensure the security of life and property, observe situations, and deter crime by providing high visibility; notes and reports unsafe conditions.
• Responds to, and investigates, unusual or suspicious activities, responds to both emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Directs traffic, and investigates traffic accidents.
• Enforces state, local, and federal laws and ordinances, issues verbal warnings and citations to violators, analyzes facts, clues and evidence and makes investigations to determine law violators.
• Makes arrests, serves subpoenas and warrants, transports prisoners, and interviews suspects.
• Prepares evidence and appears in court to give testimony.
• Searches for stolen property and missing persons.
• Gives information to the public regarding laws, ordinances, traffic safety, directions and available public services.
• Operates computers, radios, and other communication equipment.
• Carries and uses a firearm and other appropriate defensive weaponry.
• Protects the life, property, public order and constitutional rights of all citizens. Adheres to the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
• Investigates juvenile and designated adult criminal activity and incidents as the assigned detective coordinates crime science control and investigation, including interviews and interrogations, identification of witnesses, overseeing collection and preservation of physical evidence.
• Restores order, protects life and property, and maintains the peace at public gatherings and in conflict situations.
• Prepares and documents cases, writes daily reports, completes reports and records, and prepares and maintains other logs and records.
• Participates in special details and assignments, including the Special Response Team, investigations, and related activities; may serve as field training officer.
• Provides emergency aid and assistance to incapacitated persons and requests additional response.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
• Techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic level under hostile and emergency situations.
• Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work.
• First Aid and CPR.

Ability to:

• Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics and fact of incidents.
• Analyze problems and situations accurately and adopt a quick, effective, and responsible course of action in emergency or stressful situations.
• Establish and maintain positive business and community relationships.
• Read and understand departmental policies and rules.
• Read, interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies.
• Make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, records and other written materials.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn the principles, practices, procedures, laws and ordinances, terminology and operations of equipment used in law enforcement and crime prevention and investigation.
• Write reports.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Atypical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities listed above would be:

Equivalent to graduation from high school. Volunteer or paid experience in a law enforcement support area and college level course work in criminology, law enforcement or police science is desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship Requirement:

Be a United States Citizen (or resident alien with application for citizenship in progress).

General Requirements:

Be a high school graduate, or GED equivalent.

Be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Possess a valid California driver's license (at time of appointment) and a good driving record.

Must be able to obtain required P.O.S.T. certification and maintain firearms qualification.

Proof of eligibility of P.O.S.T. SB2 compliance.

Lateral Entry: Must meet the general requirements above and be a graduate of a P.O.S.T. approved academy or have a P.O.S.T. basic certificate.

Physical Requirements:

Have normal color vision.

Have vision of not less than 20/30 (corrected in each eye).

Possess satisfactory hearing capabilities.

Be free of disabling physical conditions or diseases that interfere with police work.

Be emotionally stable and mature.

Possess strength and physical ability necessary to perform the duties of a Police Officer.

Additional Information
WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands : Continuous sitting while driving a patrol vehicle and/or writing reports; occasional standing on uneven or wet surfaces; walking in and out doors on uneven or hilly terrain; lifting items weighing over 100 lbs, including human bodies; continuous wearing of duty belt (approx 15 lbs); frequent bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, climbing, running, driving.

Environmental Conditions : Working both indoors and out; exposure to noise and vibration, dust and fumes. Exposure to hazards associated with the duties of a police officer.
Note: Accommodations may be made for some of the essential functions / requirements listed for qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation, due to a qualified disability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION regarding this recruitment, please contact Commander Dwayne Collard at


The City reserves the right to close the recruitment prior to the posted closing date.
For information regarding the City's applicable benefits package for this position, please contact the Human Resources Division at View email address on click.appcast.io.
01


Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's Degree (at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's Degree (at least 120 semester units or 180 quarter units)
• Master's Degree
• Juris Doctor
• PhD

02


Please indicate the field of study for your degree or N/A if not applicable.
03


Do you have a current California Basic P.O.S.T. certification?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a valid First Aid/CPR certification?

• Yes
• No

05


Please describe any other relevant certifications or trainings you have completed.
06


Are you a recent police officer graduate of a California P.O.S.T. certified training academy?

• Yes
• No

07


The minimum age for this job is 21. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

08


Applicants for the Public Safety positions must meet minimum standards. The following questions relate to the standards that the City has adopted as prima facie disqualification for public safety applicants. I understand that any material misstatement of fact or significant admission during the application or background process shall be disqualifying, including inconsistent statements made during the initial background interview (Personal History Statement) or polygraph examination or discrepancies between this background investigation and other investigations conducted by other law enforcement agencies.

• Yes
• No

09


Do you understand you may not meet the positions minimum standards if you have received three (3) or more moving violations (or a single violation of a potential life- threatening violation, i.e., reckless driving, speed contest, suspect of a pursuit, hit and run, etc.) within three (3) years prior to application? (Moving violations for which there is a factual finding of innocence shall not be included.)

• Yes
• No

10


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have been involved in two (2) or more chargeable collisions within the past three (3) years prior to the date of application?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs within four (4) years prior to application date, or any two (2) convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs?

• Yes
• No

12


Do you understand you may not meet the positions minimum standards if you have ever been convicted, discharged, disqualified, or accused of any forgery, alteration, or intentional omission of material facts on an official employment application document, or sustained episodes of academic cheating?

• Yes
• No

13


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever been convicted of any criminal offense classified as a misdemeanor under California Law within three (3) years prior to application?

• Yes
• No

14


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanor offenses under California law as an adult?

• Yes
• No

15


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have been convicted of any offense classified as a misdemeanor under California law while employed as a public safety employee (including military police officers)?

• Yes
• No

16


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever admitted to having committed any act amounting to a felony (including felony-misdemeanor offenses) under California law, as an adult, within five (5) years prior to application or while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers)?

• Yes
• No

17


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever had an administrative conviction of any act while employed as a public safety employee (including military police officers) involving lying, falsification of any official report or document, or theft?

• Yes
• No

18


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever committed any act of domestic violence as an adult against a romantic partner or parent?

• Yes
• No

19


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever committed any criminal act, whether misdemeanor or felony, against children, including, but not limited to, molesting or annoying children, child abduction, child abuse, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, indecent exposure, except acts of consensual unlawful intercourse accomplished between two minors shall not be included, unless more than four (4) years difference in age existed at the time of the acts?

• Yes
• No

20


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have been under academic dismissal from any college or university where such dismissal is still in effect and was initiated within the past two (2) years prior to the date of application?

• Yes
• No

21


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have been academically dismissed from any P.O.S.T. certified basic law enforcement academy wherein no demonstrated effort has been made to improve in the deficient areas; except: subsequent successful completion of another P.O.S.T. basic law enforcement academy shall rescind this requirement?

• Yes
• No

22


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever uttered any epithet derogatory of another person's race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation?

• Yes
• No

23


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have ever been disciplined by any employer as an adult for fighting in the workplace?

• Yes
• No

24


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have an administrative conviction or criminal convictions for any act amounting to assault under color of authority or any other violation of federal or state Civil Rights laws?

• Yes
• No

25


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have an administrative conviction or criminal conviction for failure to properly report witnessed criminal conduct committed by a law enforcement officer?

• Yes
• No

26


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have, as an adult, used or had possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic trail within seven (7) years prior to application for employment?

• Yes
• No

27


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have, as an adult, used or had possession of marijuana within one (1) year prior to application for employment?

• Yes
• No

28


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have, as an adult, had any illegal use or possession of a drug while employed in any law enforcement capacity, military police, or as a student enrolled in college accredited courses related to the criminal justice field?

• Yes
• No

29


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have, as an adult, ever manufactured or cultivated a drug or illegal substance?

• Yes
• No

30


Do you understand that failure to divulge to the agency any information about personal illegal use or possession of drugs during a background investigation will be considered an automatic disqualifier?

• Yes
• No

31


Do you understand that during the course of the hiring process any drug test that detects illegal drugs will be considered an automatic disqualifier?

• Yes
• No

32


Do you understand you may not meet the minimum standards of the position if you have, as an adult, used or had possession of an illegal drug not mentioned above (including cocaine) within three (3) years prior to application for employment?

• Yes
• No

33


I certify that, by checking "Yes", the answers I have provided on this Supplemental Questionnaire are true and accurate. If it is determined that the answers I have provided are not true and accurate it would disqualify me from participation in the recruitment process, and if hired, could result in termination of employment.

• Yes
• No

Required Question