Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer

Employer: City of Downey

Salary: $8,240.27 - $10,209.33 Monthly

Location: Downey, CA

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Job Number: 26-003

Department: Police

Opening Date: 08/14/2026

About The Position

Earning potential: AA degree OR Intermediate POST Certificate, 5 to 9 years of service = $134,687.27/annually - BA/BS degree OR Advanced CA POST Certificate, 5 to 9 years of service = $139,092.93/annually.

AA degree OR Intermediate POST Certificate, 10 to 19 years of service = $138,292.04/annually - BA/BS degree OR Advanced CA POST Certificate, 10 to 19 years of service = $142,815.61/annually.

This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of applications have been received and may close without prior notice. Lateral Hiring Incentives:

1. A $25,000.00 hiring incentive ($8,333.33 at completion of the Officer's field training/ $8,333.33 upon successful completion of probation/$8,333.33 at the Officer's two-year anniversary with the Downey Police Department.
2. The carry-over of the accumulated sick leave balance at separation from the former agency, up to 360 hours.
3. The carry-over of the accumulated vacation balance at separation from the former agency, up to 80 hours.
4. Vacation accrual rate based on prior years of Lateral Police Officer experience and in accordance with the current Memorandum of Understanding between the Downey Police Officers' Association and the City of Downey.
5. Bilingual Pay in the amount of $1,820 per year.

In addition to pay, the City offers competitive benefits including City paid medical insurance coverage up to the Kaiser (HMO Plan) family rate currently at $1,962.06 per month, a tuition reimbursement program that covers up to the Cal State rates, and a "3/12" work schedule.

Education Incentive Pay: An additional 7% of base pay for an Associate's degree or equivalent units (60) OR Intermediate California (CA) P.O.S.T. Certificate. An additional 10.5% for a Bachelor's degree or equivalent units (124) OR Advanced California P.O.S.T. Certificate.

Merit Longevity: Employees become eligible for additional merit longevity pay increases after 5 years at 2.75%, 10 year at 5.5%, at 20 years of service, 8.25%, and at 25 years of service, 13%. Effective 12/23/02, full-time years of service as a certified Peace Officer with another CA P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency shall apply to longevity as though earned with the City of Downey after the initial probationary period has been completed.

Retirement: In accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), new hires enrolled after January 1, 2013 will be under the 2.7% @ age 57 formula as a new member to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). This enrollment will require a member contribution of 12.25% of reportable earnings. Laterals with active classic CALPERS membership or classic membership in another California retirement plan that provides eligible reciprocity with CalPERS, will qualify for the 3% @ age 55 retirement formula. This formula will require a member contribution of 9% of reportable earnings.

Description: To perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; enforce State and local traffic regulations; perform investigative work; and participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs.

Examples Of Essential Functions

• Patrols assigned area in patrol car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, and to enforce traffic regulations; responds to calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, robberies, disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies, and take necessary police action; make arrests; take charge of, and guide and direct the work of other law enforcement personnel in various situations until relieved by a supervisor officer.
• Conducts motor vehicle accident investigations; provides first aid for injured persons, and take safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses; takes written statements and examines conditions of accident scene; and clears or directs clearing of obstructions and wreckage.
• Investigates crimes against persons and property; interviews victims and witnesses; searches for, evaluates and secures/collects evidence; and arrests suspected perpetrator(s).
• Investigates complaints involving juveniles, including reports of child neglect and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors; checks business establishments and public places known to be frequented by juveniles; and arrests juvenile and adult offenders.
• Processes warrants and apprehends or assists in the apprehension of wanted persons by court orders or actions in criminal cases.
• Maintains knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, rules of evidence for criminal cases, crime prevention techniques, current investigation techniques, traffic control techniques, care and custody of persons and property.
• Prepares and submits required reports and provides assistance, information, and directions to the public.

Qualifications

Education: High school graduate or equivalent AND completion of a California (CA) Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy.

Experience: Current employment as a full-time, paid peace officer in a CA P.O.S.T. approved agency in good standing.

Age: 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Additional Information

• Height in proportion to weight;
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes and free from color blindness;
• Hearing within normal limit; and
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Out-of-State Police Officers: For consideration in lieu of current CA Basic P.O.S.T. certification, an applicant must be currently enrolled in the CA P.O.S.T. Waiver Process. Proof of acceptance in the Waiver process must be submitted at the time of application submission. For more information on the CA P.O.S.T. Waiver Process, contact CA P.O.S.T. at View phone number on click.appcast.io e-mail View email address on click.appcast.io or go to the Peace Officers Standards and Training website.

Knowledge of: Good command of basic grammar and written communication; use and care of firearms; Federal, California state, and local laws applicable to law enforcement; police department equipment, practices, and procedures; proper search and seizure and arrest procedures; geography of the City of Downey and the location of important buildings and streets; and, investigative procedures and techniques.

Ability to: Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; think and act quickly in emergencies and judge situations and people accurately; effectively analyze problems for an appropriate response under emergency or stress situations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; understand and interpret laws and regulations; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and, meet and maintain the physical requirements established by the Downey Police Department.

License Requirements: Due to the performance of field duties, possession of a valid California Driver's License and possession of an acceptable driving record and the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout the course of employment in the position is required.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust