Police Officer (Lateral)

The City of Placentia is now recruiting for the position of Police Officer (Lateral) Competitive Pay: Potential for initial pay to match your experience and background upon hire. POST Certification & Education Pay: Eligible employees can receive POST certification or education pay upon hire. Accelerated Leave Accrual Rates: Potential for leave accrual rates that consider your prior sworn service upon hire. You currently have vacancies for the position of Police Officer (Lateral) and an eligibility list will be created to fill vacancies as they occur. The recruitment will be open continuously and may close at any time without advance notice. You are encouraged to apply immediately. The Organization At the City of Placentia, we strive to make a difference by continually developing our progressive and innovative workforce. Our team collaborates to create an environment that promotes diversity, creativity, and respect for all opinions, ensuring better outcomes for the community we serve. Under the direction of the Police Sergeant, the Police Officer patrols an assigned area, enforces public safety laws, codes, and regulations, maintains order, prevents, detects, and investigates crime, responds to emergencies, carries out special assignments, and performs other related duties as assigned. Distinguishing Characteristics Positions in this class are distinguished from the Police Sergeant, which serves as a first-line supervisor responsible for the development, coordination, and evaluation of sworn personnel within a work shift or section. Police officers may be assigned to special assignments such as motor, traffic, K‑9, detective, SWAT, field training officer, jail, bike team, VIP handling, reserves, and similar details. Enforces federal, state, county, and city laws, regulations, and ordinances related to public safety and law enforcement. Patrols an assigned area of the city, in a patrol vehicle or on foot, to detect and prevent crime and maintain law and order; may operate a motorcycle or bicycle as part of a special assignment detail. Gives verbal warnings and prepares citations, arrest reports, crime reports, daily observation reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, and impounded property reports. Responds to radio messages and citizen requests for protection of life and property and public assistance; appears at crime and scenes of disorder and determines proper course of action; investigates suspicious vehicles or persons; observes situations related to stolen cars, traffic violations, and proper flow of traffic. Inspects premises at night and on other shifts; assists in the investigation of crimes; conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths, or other types of incidents involving possible violations of public safety laws and codes. Questions suspects, interviews victims and witnesses; books property and evidence; performs basic crime scene investigation; testifies in court regarding facts, circumstances, and violations; completes field and follow-up investigations. Takes written statements; examines conditions of accident scenes; clears scene of obstructions and damaged vehicles; notes and reports traffic hazards; provides first aid for injured persons or requests medical attention in accordance with departmental procedures. Reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment, and other public gatherings and assures that proper licenses and permits are in effect. Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; supervises arrestees; and monitors the status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including court orders. Participates in police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs. When assigned to Reserves Detail, tracks and coordinates the scheduling and training of reserve police officers. When assigned to Traffic Detail, enforces specialized Traffic and Motor Vehicle Codes and prepares traffic and collision reports and investigation records; sets up DUI monitoring; coordinates work with Department of Motor Vehicles and Courts; attends meetings, prepares logs, and makes presentations. When assigned to Field Training Officer Detail, organizes, coordinates, and provides officer training in the field related to proper law enforcement surveillance, handling of traffic stops, preparation of departmental reports, and related tasks; completes training records and employee progress reports at regular intervals. Receives, searches, books, fingerprints, and takes custody of prisoners; guards and transports prisoners; provides meals and completes daily records. When assigned to K‑9 detail, also assists in searches of suspects and properties; trains animals and conducts exercises in proper pursuit and control methods; feeds and maintains animals in accordance with health and safety standards and prepares related activity records. When assigned to Detective Detail, conducts crime scene investigations and pursues cases involving the collection of additional evidence, identification and interviewing of victims and suspects, and prosecution of cases within the Court system; conducts covert patrol; writes and executes search warrants; coordinates property and evidence collection with police support staff; and testifies in cases. When assigned to SWAT Detail, responds to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high-risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety. When assigned to Gang Detail, monitors and investigates associations of individuals who belong to known gangs; determines means of gaining access and information from informants related to actual or planned crimes; and testifies in cases. When assigned to School Resource Detail, visits public schools, prepares and makes educational presentations, maintains communications with school officials, works with district staff on attendance and truancy issues, and counsels students related to lawful conduct and community standards and expectations. Provides escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings. Other Duties Performs other related duties as assigned for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the City. Qualifications Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Education: Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent. Experience: Candidate must be currently employed as a sworn Police Officer and have passed probation in their current agency. Licenses Required Valid, current driver’s license. The City reasonably expects driving to be one of the job functions for the position and believes that using an alternative form of transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost to the City. Certifications and Testing Required BASIC Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) certificate. For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment is required. Certification in protective and lifesaving equipment. First aid and CPR certification. Additional Requirements No more than 20/100 uncorrected and 20/30 corrected vision; color blindness must be non‑uncorrectable. Vision must include close, peripheral, and color vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. Must be of good character and reputation. May undergo a psychological assessment by a qualified professional. Will be administered an integrity test and a polygraph examination. Will undergo a complete, comprehensive P.O.S.T. approved Background Investigation. Will be fingerprinted and records checked in both State and Federal Bureaus. Must not have a record of conviction of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory. Physical and Mental Demands / Work Environment Frequently works in outside weather conditions and in a patrol unit; may operate specialized equipment. Exposure to extreme heat, smoke, dust, fumes, inclement weather, and loud noises such as sirens, alarms, and diesel engines. Use of safety helmets, armored vests, earplugs, utility belts, and other specialized equipment. Subject to the threat of injury and life‑threatening hazards as part of police safety operations. Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls. Reach with hands and arms. Climb or scale walls, ladders, or steps; carry police safety gear. Stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, or crawl; walk, sit, and run. Talking, hearing, and using sense of smell. Pull and carry persons in emergency situations, administer first aid, and fight in self‑defense. Grasp and carry power and hand tools, and lift, carry, and move persons, equipment, and push, pull, or drag objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more. Vision must include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Recruitment Process Applicants must attach their P.O.S.T. BASIC ACADEMY CERTIFICATION to be considered. All applications will be reviewed, and only those candidates deemed most qualified based on their education, training, and experience will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to, oral interviews, written tests, physical agility tests, performance tests, and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on an employment‑eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year, or until an insufficient number of candidates remain, unless exhausted sooner. Applicants should file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications online through the Human Resources Department webpage at as soon as possible. A resume may accompany the application but will not be accepted instead of the City employment application. Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Placentia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or other non‑job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or functional limitation. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io before the filing deadline. The policy requires all applicants to undergo substance abuse testing prior to employment. The City will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act, which allows the applicant to remain undisclosed until a conditional offer is made. For more information, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/. In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Placentia employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State. #J-18808-Ljbffr