POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL

Salary: $8,902.92 - $13,153.66 Monthly
Location : Newport Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25/26-00172
Department: Police
Opening Date: 02/11/2026
Bargaining Unit: 20-PA


Definition
Come join the Newport Beach Police Department!

This recruitment requires successful completion of a probation period and Training Program with a law enforcement agency and possession of a CA POST Basic Certificate. If you have completed a CA POST Academy, but are not eligible for a CA POST Basic Certificate or Waiver, or if you are taking the first steps to become a Police Officer, please apply to the Police Officer Recruit & Academy Graduate/Academy Enrolled recruitment.
This recruitment may close at any time without advance notice. You are encouraged to apply immediately. You will not be able to submit a n application for this position once the recruitment closes. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.

Click the above link for more detailed information about the Police Officer recruiting process.
RETIREMENT:

The City offers an excellent benefit package and membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS. The employee will be enrolled in the CalPERS Safety coverage group and will be required to contribute 13.6% of pay toward the retirement benefit.
SELECTION COMPONENTS:
1. Application Screening - Pass/Fail - Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and reviewed weekly.


Please note: Candidates are required to submit a verification of California POST Basic certificate (Lateral) along with a completed online application in order for the application package to be considered complete.


2. Interview - 100% of Overall Score - Tentatively scheduled on a monthly basis. Candidates will be placed on an eligibility list and may be invited to begin the background process as positions become available.

3. Physical Agility Test (PAT) - Pass/Fail - Tentatively scheduled on a monthly basis.
SELECTION PROCEDURE: At the conclusion of the testing process, passing candidates will be placed on an eligible list. Candidates may be invited to begin the background process after the list is certified. Appointments will be made in accordance with Civil Service Rules and Regulations. All candidates will undergo an extensive background process including polygraph, criminal history, credit history, driving record, military history, civil records check, past and current employers, drug and alcohol abuse, education, and reference contacts. Candidates who successfully pass the background investigation may be selected for a position and receive a conditional offer of employment contingent upon psychological and medical examinations by City selected medical professionals.

Essential Duties


Please see online for a more detailed description of specific job duties.
Qualifications


Please see online for a more detailed description of specific job qualifications.
Experience & Education and License/Certificate
A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Must have successfully completed probationary period and Field Training Program at another law enforcement agency; and must possess current California POST Basic certificate.

Education: Equivalency to high school graduation*. College level coursework or other specialized training in police science, psychology, public administration or related field is highly desirable.


License/Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.

Additional Requirement:
Legally authorized under federal law to work in the United States.

Minimum age at time of appointment is 20.5 years.


Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose a criminal record.

Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.

Be found to be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Record must be free from conviction of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or domestic violence, and from an excessive number of citations for traffic violations. Background history should indicate responsibility, dependability, honesty, integrity, acceptable communication skills, good judgment and the ability to relate well to others.


All employees hired after January 1, 1999, shall not smoke or use tobacco products at any time while on or off duty.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
*High school graduation equivalency means to be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development Test or other high school equivalency test approved by the State Department of Education that indicates high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. The high school shall be either a United States public school, an accredited United States Department of Defense high school, or an accredited or approved public or nonpublic high school. Any accreditation or approval required by this subdivision shall be from a state or local government educational agency using local or state government approved accreditation, licensing, registration, or other approval standards, a regional accrediting association, an accrediting association recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education, an accrediting association holding full membership in the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), an organization holding full membership in AdvancED, an organization holding full membership in the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), or an accrediting association recognized by the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations (NFNSSAA).
01


PLEASE READ: The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with the job application to determine whether the qualification requirements are met. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in the application being rejected. A resume may not be submitted in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and acknowledge that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected.

• Yes, I acknowledge
• No, I do not acknowledge

02


I acknowledge I have read the job description and can perform the essential functions of the job for which I am applying.

• Yes
• No

03


Have you successfully completed a probationary period and training program as a sworn officer at another law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you currently employed with another law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

05


Please indicate the law enforcement agency where you are currently employed and/or the law enforcement agency where you successfully completed probation and a training program.
06


Do you possess a current California POST Basic Certificate?

• Yes
• I have a California POST Basic Waiver.
• No

07


Do you possess a current and valid California driver's license?

• Yes
• I have a license from another state.
• No

08


Please select the highest level of education you possess:

• High school diploma or GED
• Some college or certificate(s)
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Advanced degree
• None of the above

09


Please select the field(s) in which you were awarded your degree(s) (check all that apply):

• Criminal Justice
• Police Science
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Other field
• I do not have a degree.

10


If you selected "other field" for your awarded degree(s), please indicate the field below:
11


Will you be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

12


Do you have the ability to successfully complete the City of Newport Beach Police Department Field Training Program?

• Yes
• No

13


All employees hired after January 1, 1999 shall not smoke or use tobacco products at any time while on or off duty. I acknowledge this requirement.

• Yes
• No

14


If you are successful in completing the testing process, you may be selected to continue in the background process which includes a comprehensive investigation, fingerprinting, polygraph examination and credit check. NOTE: Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. I acknowledge this requirement.

• Yes
• No

15


This recruitment requires you attach (upload) a California POST Basic Certificate (or California POST Basic Waiver if applicable). Have you attached the required documentation to your online application?

• Yes
• No
• I am in the process of obtaining the California POST Basic Waiver and will have it by time of appointment.

16


If you are in the process of obtaining your CA POST Basic Waiver and will be providing it by the time of appointment, please indicate when (date) you anticipate submitting the document.
17


Please write one complete paragraph describing why you want to be a Newport Beach Police Officer.
18


Excluding juvenile convictions, arrests, detentions or court dispositions, have you ever been convicted of a felony or plead "guilty," "no contest," or been convicted of any other criminal offense, other than a minor traffic violation?

• Yes
• No

19


If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, please provide specific details for each occurrence including: 1) Date; 2) Location; 3) Charge and a description of the offense; 4) Penalty/Disposition. If this is not applicable, please type "NA" in the box below.
20


Are you currently out on bail or on your own recognizance pending trial for a recent arrest? (Omit convictions more than two years old for violations of Cal. Health & Safety Code Sections 11357(b) for (a), 11360 (c), 11364, 11365, or 11550 as they relate to marijuana before January 1, 1976, and their statutory predecessors.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question