Police Officer (Lateral)

Job Title

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLY EARLY! *** NEW! Lateral Incentive Program beginning in January 2025.*** Credit for years of service at a public agency in an equivalent qualifying eligible role, for the purposes of vacation accrual; AND a one-time, upfront balance of up to 160 hours deposited into a non-cashable leave bank based on prior years of service at a public agency. Contact the Milpitas Police Department directly for more information.

The Milpitas Police Department is a full-service department, with 128 employees (94 sworn and 34 non-sworn). The department provides public safety to 81,773 residents in a 13.63 square mile urban area. A wide variety of services include a SWAT Team, UAS Team, K-9 Unit, Police Community Relations Unit, Detective Bureau, and Traffic Safety Unit. Most officers work a 4-10 schedule. To learn more about our department, visit

Job Description

To perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs; to perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

Examples Of Duties

• Patrol the City in radio-equipped vehicle; answer calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, hold-ups, death, and other criminal incidents.
• Patrol the City on a motorcycle or in a radar-equipped patrol unit; respond to calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies; observe, monitor and control routine and unusual traffic conditions; assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Collect and present evidence using scientific identification techniques and testify in court.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Prepare reports and arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
• Stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; issue citations and make arrests as necessary. Check buildings for physical security.
• Direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
• Transport prisoners, serve warrants and subpoenas; retrieve and request information involving arrests and subpoenas; submit reports on complaints and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Serve warrants within the department and with outside agencies; provide functional guidance to clerical staff involved in warrant processing; keep up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.
• Administer first aid as necessary.

Typical Qualifications

Experience: The Lateral Police Officer position requires current law enforcement experience. Education: Sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of college level studies with major course work in police science or related field. i.e. liberal arts, business, psychology, or political science. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES • Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate, valid California Driver's License. • California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate. Note: Only those candidates who have passed probation, passed FTO, and who are currently working for a law enforcement agency will be considered.

Supplemental Information

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or the lateral incentive program, please contact Lisa Beaulieu, Management Analyst, at: View email address on click.appcast.io. General supervision is provided by a Police Sergeant. Some assignments may require indirect supervision of sworn and non-sworn personnel. The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's education, training, and experience as stated in the application and responses to the Supplemental Questions. The Supplemental Questionnaire must be completed in full; responses such as "see resume" or the like will be considered incomplete applications. Applications will not be accepted after the job closing date. Candidates whose applications best match the need of the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process for Police Department positions will consist of one or more interviews, personal history statement, Department of Justice/FBI fingerprint check, polygraph examination(s), background investigation, psychological screening, and pre-employment medical examination. The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.