Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer

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

Qualification 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 View email address on click.appcast.io for guidance prior to applying.

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.