Lateral Police Officer

City of Garden Grove is currently accepting online applications for the position of LATERAL POLICE OFFICER . Deadline to apply for this recruitment is January 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST . Join Our Team

THE GARDEN GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Police Department consists of 182 sworn staff including a chief, three captains, seven lieutenants, 23 sergeants, and 148 police officers, in addition to civilian personnel. After sufficient experience, specialization is available in Patrol, Investigations, Juvenile Services, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Vice‑Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Suppression Unit, Community Impact Unit, or Canine Handler. An outstanding in‑service training program provides officers with extensive continuous instruction in basic and specialized police techniques. Patrol officers work a modified 3/12.5 work schedule. Under general supervision, police officers perform law enforcement and crime prevention work within a community policing philosophy; control traffic flow; enforce state and local laws and ordinances; and perform investigative work.

EDUCATION

Graduation from high school or successful completion of the GED.

EXPERIENCE

Must be currently employed as a sworn peace officer in a California city, county, state, or other public agency.

CERTIFICATIONS

Must possess a valid California POST Basic certificate (or higher) pursuant to PC 13510. Please attach a copy of a valid POST certificate to your online application. Lateral Police Officer candidates from outside the State of California may be considered if they have a California POST Basic Course Waiver at the time of application.

PHYSICAL CONDITION

Must be in excellent condition and physically capable of performing all tasks required of a police officer; fitness standards must be maintained throughout employment as a police officer.

VISION

Bilateral vision must be at least 20/100, correctable to 20/30, with no evidence of color blindness.

HEARING

Hearing aids are not acceptable; applicants with an average hearing loss of 26 dB or more in the better ear in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, and 46 dB in the 3000 c.p.s. range in the other ear are disqualified (ANSI standard).

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States under federal law.

DRIVER'S LICENSE & DRIVING RECORD

Applicants must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record prior to and throughout employment. An acceptable driving record is one that has three or fewer DMV points issued within the past five years, and no more than one DUI within the past ten years.

ADDITIONAL ABILITIES & SKILLS

Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places, and to judge situations and persons accurately; operate an automobile and learn to operate a motorcycle; learn standard broadcasting procedure of a police radio system; follow oral and written instructions; complete accurate reports; communicate effectively and work cooperatively with others, especially the public.

BILINGUAL SKILLS

Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications may be completed online by visiting Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST .

ONLINE APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE

A complete and updated online employment application A copy of a valid California POST Basic certificate or higher attached to the online application Responses to the supplemental questionnaire The job application must be completely filled out. Please do not refer to a resume. Only applicants who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation. Applicants will receive communication through email only. Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.

SELECTION PROCESS

Application Screening Physical Agility Test Panel Interview Thorough Background Investigation Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Examination Psychological Evaluation Pre‑Employment Medical Examination (which includes a back x‑ray, drug and alcohol screening test) The City of Garden Grove will administer the Physical Agility Test. The Physical Agility Test and Panel Interview may take place on the same day. More information will be available as the recruitment progresses. The selection process takes approximately 180 days from initial application to final selection depending on the duration of each step during the selection process. Some of the steps may take longer than anticipated due to availability and scheduling. Applicants who fail any part of the selection process will not be considered for the position. Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io at least one week prior to any test dates.

RE‑APPLICATION

Candidates who applied for the Lateral Police Officer position with the City of Garden Grove in the past and did not pass the following tests in the selection process may re‑apply as indicated: Physical Agility Test: May apply as often as given. Panel Interview: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply. Background Investigation (including CVSA exam): Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply. Psychological Evaluation: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.

WHO TO CONTACT

For further questions, please contact Corporal Benjamin Elizondo at View email address on click.appcast.io or Human Resources Analyst Ashleigh Anderson Camba at View email address on click.appcast.io.

NEPOTISM POLICY

The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non‑disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly. Follow GGPD on social media: Facebook (keyword: Garden Grove Police Department) Twitter @GardenGrovePD Instagram gardengrovepd #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Garden Grove