POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE

Salary: $7,580.25 - $10,067.50 Monthly
Location : Cathedral City, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE
Job Number: 26-13
Department: Police Department
Division: Police Department
Opening Date: 03/23/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CCPOA


Description
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING CAREER?

IF SO, THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY IS LOOKING FOR YOU!
The City of Cathedral City is seeking enthusiastic women and men interested in establishing a challenging career in Public Safety. We are accepting applications from current and newly sworn in peace officers.
This recruitment will remain open in order to maintain an active eligibility list .
MISSION STATEMENT

Provide the community with progressive and professional police services dedicated to ensure public order, a sense of community well-being and a responsiveness with integrity and excellence.
THE POSITION

DEPARTMENT: POLICE

ANNUAL SALARY: $90,963 - $120,810

BARGAINING UNIT: CCPOA (Cathedral City Police Officers Association)
The Ideal Candidate, under general supervision, performs a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, and provision of information and assistance to the public; performs related work as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Graduation from a POST-certified Basic Academy within the last 3 years
• Possession of a California POST Basic Certificate required for Lateral Applicants
• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship
• College-level classes in police science, administration of justice or a related field are desired
• Good physical fitness and mental health as required by POST standards

Other Requirements:

• Must meet California peace officer standards including, but not limited to: not currently on probation for a misdemeanor; no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned); good moral character as determined by thorough background investigation (this includes a polygraph examination and/or computer voice stress analysis); submission of fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check; and found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Must possess a valid California driver's license.
• Must be willing and able to work day, night, weekend and holiday shifts; and be available for call-out as required.
• Must be able to obtain required P.O.S.T. certification and maintain firearms qualification.
• Must be twenty-one years of age by the time of appointment.

For out of state applicants, you will need to obtain a Basic Course Waiver from the California POST Agency. Please for instructions on obtaining a Basic Course Waiver.

Academy Graduate candidates who have more than a one (1) year gap between certification and employment must take the FrontLine National exam through National Testing Network at NTN scores must have been issued within the last 6 months from the date when you submitted your application with the City.
To view the qualifications and full job description, click here.

The City of Cathedral City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the citizens we serve. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.


Why work for the City of Cathedral City?

The City of Cathedral City Police Department offers amazing benefits and a variety of career opportunities to further enhance your skills.
Special Assignments Include (stipends per pay period):
Canine Handler (Canine Officer/Animal Premium)$250Field Training Officer (Training Premium)$250Gang Officer (Gang Detail Assignment Premium)$250Homeless Liaison (Police Liaison Premium)$250Investigator including: traffic, narcotics, RAID, auto theft, real estate task force, detective (Police Investigator Premium)$250Motor Officer, when assigned to motor (Motorcycle Patrol Premium)$250PACT Team (Police liaison premium)$250School Resource Officer (Police liaison premium)$250

What Cathedral City has to Offer:

What's Next? Apply Today and share this posting with anyone who may be interested!

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF CERTIFICATIONS WITH YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION

To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must submit an application on-line and attach required documentation as requested in the agency-wide questions. Based upon the information presented in the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.

The selection process will consist of the following:
WRITTEN EXAM (Academy Graduates with 1 year gap): must take the FrontLine National exam through National Testing Network at .
ORAL INTERVIEW: Qualified applicants will be invited to an oral interview to evaluate their experience, education and personal fitness for the position.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Candidates who are successful in the examination process will be subjected to a comprehensive background investigation to include a polygraph examination. Visit the website for additional guidance regarding the background investigation.

MEDICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS: Candidates who successfully pass the background investigation and are conditionally offered a position would be required to successfully complete an extensive medical and psychological evaluation prior to appointment.
All notifications will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address listed on your on-line application.
All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but are not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (livescan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (including drug screen).
Click to review the
01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information, and reference to resume or application may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• YES
• NO

02


Please indicate the highest level of formal education you have completed.

• High school
• College - currently enrolled
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor Degree
• Master Degree or higher

03


Please describe any college coursework and/or specialized training you have received in the area of Police Science, and/or Administrative Justice. If none, indicate with "N/A".
04


Are you a current or former peace officer in California or have you graduated from a California P.O.S.T. academy? Note: If you answered NO to the above question, you are not eligible to apply as a Lateral/Academy Graduate. Please apply for the Police Officer Recruit position when open.

• Yes
• No

05


If you have graduated from a California P.O.S.T. Basic Peace Officer Academy, please add the location and date of graduation. Certificate of completion must be attached to your application for consideration.
06


Please indicate your years of experience as a peace officer in a Municipal, County or State Police Department within a California POST-participating agency. Note, experience must also be listed on the application.

• No Experience
• 0 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 years or more

07


Please select if you possess any of the following certificates. Certificates must be attached to your application for consideration.

• California P.O.S.T. Basic Peace Officer Certificate
• California P.O.S.T. Intermediate Peace Officer Certificate
• California P.O.S.T. Advanced Peace Officer Certificate
• None

08


Have you previously applied for the position of Police Recruit, Lateral or Academy Graduate with the City of Cathedral City? Note: If you have previously been disqualified, there is a six (6) month waiting period before you can reapply.

• Yes
• No

Required Question