POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL

Salary : $99,660.00 - $121,140.00 Annually
Location : City of West Covina, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-042
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/07/2025
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. EARLY APPLICATION IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

NOTE: Lateral appointments may be made at Step 2, 3 or 4 based on experience and qualifications.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

• Police Officers perform general law enforcement duties and may have the opportunity to specialize in the selected fields of juvenile law; narcotic and dangerous drug enforcement; community relations; traffic enforcement and investigation; criminal investigation; and other equally challenging tasks.

Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :
High School graduation or GED equivalent; college coursework from an accredited college or university is desirable; age minimum 21; valid California Class "C" Driver's License with an acceptable driving record is required. Applicants shall possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and be currently employed for a minimum of 18 months with a California Police or Sheriff's Department or Highway Patrol.


EXAMINATION :
The examination may consist of an oral board interview and written exercise. Candidates must also pass a background investigation, psychological evaluation, and polygraph examination. Prior to first day of hire, candidates must also pass a medical exam, which includes a drug screen.

SELECTION PROCESS Applicants with the strongest background relating to the responsibilities of this position will be invited to participate in the testing process. The successful candidate will be required to pass a background check, Live Scan fingerprinting, and a pre-employment physical examination including a drug screen (for safety sensitive position) at no cost to the candidate.


WORKING CONDITIONS : Must be able to physically restrain and control combative individuals; run, climb, stoop, bend, and reach; work in varied weather conditions; and work shifts (both days and nights as assigned). This position also requires extensive and repetitive physical activity involving the arms, wrists, and hands, including writing and using a keyboard. PHYSICAL STANDARDS: Vision standard is 20/70 uncorrected; 20/30 corrected.

Supplemental Information

EEO Statement
The City of West Covina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - POLICE OFFICER


HOLIDAYS - Holidays shall be granted on the basis of twelve (12) hours per month with no specific date designated.


VACATION - All public safety employees accrue a total of three hundred twenty (320) vacation hours. After completion of 60 months of service, forty (40) additional hours vacation shall be granted.


SICK LEAVE - Eight hours per month accrued by full-time employees for sick leave. There is unlimited accumulation, and the City has an annual payoff plan for unused sick leave, plus a payoff plan upon termination.


HEALTH INSURANCE - Employees hired prior to January 28, 2017, the City will provide up to $1,306.24 per month (Kaiser Family rate) towards health coverage through the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Employees already covered by a health insurance plan equal to or better than the City's PERS coverage may cash out $600/month. Employees hired on or after January 28, 2017 are not eligible for the retiree longevity stipend. Tier 3 employees shall also make a mandatory $50 per month contributions to the Retiree Health Savings plan.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City shall contribute a one-time, six hundred dollars ($600.00) deposit into the members' deferred compensation accounts, who participated in a deferred compensation program during Fiscal Year 2014-2015. Effective July 1, 2015, the City shall match up to fifty dollars ($50.00) per month for members who participate in a deferred compensation program.


DENTAL - The City contributes up to $62.23 per month towards premiums.


VISION - The City contributes up to $45.42 per month towards premiums.


LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides 2 plans: 1) one-half of the employee's annual salary, plus a $100,000 accidental death while on duty plan; and 2) a $10,000 life and accidental death while on duty plan.


SENIOR OFFICER PAY (LONGEVITY)- 10 years of service = 2% of base salary; 15 years of service = 3% of base salary; 20 years of service = 4.5% of base salary; and 25 + years of service = 7% of base salary.


RETIREMENT - The employee pays the entire member contribution to the Public Employee's Retirement System. Lateral as an "Classic" CalPERS member enters at Lateral as a non-existing "Classic" CalPERS member with reciprocity agreement enters at Lateral as "New" CalPERS member without reciprocity agreement enters at 2.7%@57. Options include single highest year, post-retirement survivor benefit, military buyback service credit and service credit for unused sick leave.


RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFIT - Provided employee has minimum of 20 years of sworn service, five of which were with the City of West Covina, the City will pay up $1,004.80 per month.


TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - The City provides a tuition reimbursement program, up to the equivalent of yearly costs for seven (7) units of the California State University of Los Angeles (CSULA) cost, for continuing job-related education.


EDUCATION INCENTIVE - The City pays the following percentages of base salary per month for education incentive: 2% for an AA/AS degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter units); 2% for an Adv. POST; 4% for an AA/AS or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter units) & Adv. POST; 4% for a BA/BS degree; 6% for a BA/BS degree and Adv. POST; 4% for a MA/MS degree; and 8% for a MA/MS degree and Adv. POST. Effective the first pay day of the pay period beginning on or after January 28, 2017, all employees who possess an Intermediate POST Certification will receive one percent (1%) additional compensation.


BILINGUAL SKILLS PAY - $100 per month for a language skill necessary for effective communication within the community, approved by the Chief of Police and certified by Human Resources.


UNIFORM ALLOWANCE - Sworn officers annually receive a $1,000 uniform allowance. One regulation uniform is provided for new officers.


BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - Up to 40 hours in one calendar year may be granted.


THE CITY - West Covina is a city of 110,500 residents, located 20 miles east of Los Angeles, with easy accessibility via freeways to beach and mountain resorts, and many other major retail, recreational, educational and cultural facilities. Acknowledged as the "Headquarters City of the East San Gabriel Valley", West Covina prides itself on the quality of living it offers.


The City utilizes the Council-Manager form of government and employs 340 full-time employees, with an operating budget of about $64 million.


The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
01


This position requires high school graduation or the equivalent. Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

04


All applicants must possess a California POST Basic Certificate. Do you possess this certification? If so, you must attach a copy of your POST Basic Certificate for your application to be considered.

• Yes
• No

05


All applicants must be currently employed for a minimum of (18) months with a California Police or Sherriff's Department or Highway Patrol. Are you currently employed as a Peace Officer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

Required Question