Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary: $58,136.00 Annually
Location : San Luis Police Dept., AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00008
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 03/26/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


ABOUT THE POSITION
YOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE!
Join one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona and the youngest in Yuma County!
Under general supervision, performs a variety of law enforcement work associated with patrol, traffic enforcement, and investigations.
As a Police Officer, you will:

• Enforce laws and ordinances, maintains order, protects life and property, investigates crimes, and assists in crime prevention activities.
• Patrol assigned areas, responds to calls for assistance, and takes appropriate action.
• Control and restrain potentially violent persons.
• Investigate suspicious conditions, activities, or persons.
• Assist other law enforcement agencies and provides needed backup when requested.
• Participate in rescue activities for sick and injured persons.
• Arrest, transport, and book violators and escort prisoners to jail or court.
• Serve warrants, subpoenas, and other court orders.
• Prepare detailed reports of felony and misdemeanor crimes as well as criminal and civil traffic complaints.
• Conduct investigations of criminal cases and gathers, preserves, and analyzes facts and evidence.
• Conduct interviews and interrogations and records statements and testimony.
• Collect, prepare, and submit evidence for analysis, processing, or retention.
• Prepare material evidence and documentation for courtroom presentations and testifies in court as required.
• Provide information to attorneys and other authorized personnel.
• Participate in special enforcement details or special operations.
• Promote crime prevention programs at local schools and within the community.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
Will possess knowledge of:

• The roads and routes within the County.
• Methods and techniques of interrogation.
• Modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including case laws governing arrest, rules of evidence, probable cause, use of force, custody of evidence and property, and search and seizure.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.
• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Police Officer.
• Federal, State and City criminal and traffic laws and related court decisions, department policies, General Operations Orders, Police Management Regulations, City of San Luis Management Procedures, Administrative Regulations, Memorandums of Understanding and Personnel Rules/Policies.
• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• State of Arizona criminal justice and court procedures and records management requirements.
• Methods and techniques of interrogation.
• Preservation of evidence and admission into court.
• Computers and specialized hardware and software for preparing reports and maintaining records.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Investigative methods and analysis techniques.

Will possess the ability to:

• Perform defensive tactics in which require quick reflexes, agility, coordination, and strength.
• Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and interacting with the public.
• Recognize and control sources of personal stress in order to perform class requirements effectively.
• Effectively communicate verbal and written instructions by phone, police radio system, or in person in a group or one-to-one setting.
• Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies and under stressful situations.
• Observe or monitor objects or people's behavior to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards and accurately recall details.
• Maintain moral integrity.
• Maintain an acceptable level of physical fitness to meet department standards.
• Interpret and explain legal standards and procedures, applicable Federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Care for, maintain, and safely operate of a variety of law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Investigate and resolve conflicts, personnel issues, citizen inquiries, and complaints.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions in English.
• To serve our community with courtesy and respect.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education, Training and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Depending upon the needs of the City, some incumbents of the class may be required to demonstrate fluency in both Spanish and English as a condition of employment.
• Successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation including credit check, polygraph, and psychological examination and meet the minimum POST standards for medical examination and physical ability.

Licenses and Certifications:
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

• A valid Arizona driver's license at the time of appointment
• Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer with Arizona POST.

Special Requirements:

• Residency in the United States and within 25 miles from the City of San Luis.

Desired/Preferred:

• Availability to work flexible schedule.
• San Luis residency
• Bilingual in Spanish

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

HIRING INCENTIVE:
incentives will be paid in January and July, subject to funding availability. A retention agreement must be signed before the first payment is received.

• Non-Certified may be eligible for up to $1,000 sign-on incentive. To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Successfully complete the Police Academy; and Field Training (FTO) or On-the-Job Training.

• L ateral Hire may be eligible for up to $10,000 sign-on incentive. To be eligible, the applicant must meet one of the following:

• • AZ applicants - Possess current Arizona Peace Officer Standards & Training Board (AZPOST) Certification, OR
  • Out-of-state applicants - Meet the Arizona eligibility requirements to undergo an AZPOST Waiver process to be certified as an Arizona Full-Authority Peace Officer Certification; AND have previously worked in the position of Police Officer in a non-training capacity during the last 5 years.

The incentive amount will be determined by the applicant's years of experience:

• Certified with 3+ years of experience - eligible for up to $10,000 sign-on incentive.
• Certified with 1-3 years of experience - eligible for up to $5,000 sign-on incentive.
• Certified applicants with no experience - eligible for up to $1,000 sign-on incentive.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; walk long distances; drive a vehicle; talk and hear, both in person and by radio; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment; engage in repetitive movements of hands and wrists; reach with hands and arms; stoop, bend, kneel and crouch and occasionally lift or move up to twenty-five pounds. Employees must be physically capable of operating City vehicles, for job-related purposes, safely. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, the use of both eyes, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; walk long distances; drive a vehicle; talk and hear, both in person and by radio; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment; engage in repetitive movements of hands and wrists; reach with hands and arms; stoop, bend, kneel and crouch and occasionally lift or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, the use of both eyes, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in the field on tactical assignments; may be exposed to physical attacks, hazardous chemicals, infectious and communicable diseases; may be required to physically restrain persons; must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet department standards. This job is classified as Safety Sensitive, and subject to Federal and state regulations.
The City of San Luis is committed to Professional Growth and Career Development -
Current employees may be given preferred consideration if they meet the position's minimum requirements.
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Applications will be reviewed 10 days after the posting date, and interviews will be conducted if a pool of qualified applicants is determined. Interested incumbents are encouraged to apply promptly.
Candidates with the most relevant backgrounds will be invited to participate in the interview/assessment process.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, online applications MUST include all required documents listed under the Minimum Requirements section of the Job Posting. All documents should be uploaded as attachments.
Please note:

• The online application must be completed in full.

• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The following benefit information is for all full-time San Luis Fire personnel.

MEDICAL/ DENTAL/ VISION INSURANCE - The City of San Luis is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for it's employees which is administered by Personify. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed. Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the Human Resources Department.

PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL RETIREMENT SYSTEM (PSPRS) - City employees are required to enroll in the Arizona State Retirement System.

• Contribution based on years of service/Tier. For more information, please contact the HR Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE-
FICA (Social Security Tax) - Employee Contribution- 6.20%
Medicare - Employee Contribution - 1.4500%.

PAID TIME OFF (PTO) -

Vacation Leave Accruals (Based on years of service and accrued on bi-weekly basis for 28 day work period)

1. Less than 6 years - 4.08 hrs.
2. 6 - 11 years - 6.12 hrs.
3. 11 years or more - 8.15 hrs.

Sick Leave - 4.89 hrs.

LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides eligible employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. This plan is administered by Standard.

Basic Life Benefit - 1x Salary up to $50,000.00
AD&D Benefit - 1x Salary up to $50,000.00

DISABILITY INSURANCE - Disability insurance is available to all employees who work 30 or more hours per week.

Short-Term Disability - Coverage begins on the 15th day of injury or sickness.
Duration of Benefits - 180 days
Benefits Percentage- 66.67%
Waiting Period - 14 days
Maximum Weekly Benefit: $2,000.00

Long-Term Disability - (Public Safety Employees Only) Coverage begins on the 181st day for injury or sickness.
Duration of Benefits- To age 65
Benefits Percentage- 60%
Waiting Period- 180 days
Maximum Monthly Benefit- $10,000.00

WORKER'S COMP - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of San Luis for all employees.

Employee Assistant Program (EAP) - Counseling for you and your dependents administered by Horizon Health. Up to 6 sessions per incident. No co-payment.
01


Do you possess a High School or GED equivalency?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have an active Arizona Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I am willing to obtain one.

03


Are you certified as a Law Enforcement Officer with Arizona POST?

• Yes
• No

04


For Out-of-State Lateral applicants, how many years of experience do you have as a P.O.S.T. academy certified peace officer?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 years or more
• Not applicable- I'm an in-state lateral

05


Do you live in the United States and within 25 miles from the City of San Luis?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I am willing to relocate

06


Are you a Veteran?

• Yes
• No

07


The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree.
• No, I do not agree.

Required Question