Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate

Salary : $107,343.60 - $143,860.08 Annually
Location : Pacific Grove, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/516-001/02BA
Department: Police Department (Sworn)
Opening Date: 02/09/2026


Overview


THE COMMUNITY: The Police Department commitment to excellence, respect, professionalism, and integrity through collaborative community partnerships promotes a high quality of life in our town locals refer to as "P.G." Our town shares borders with the Del Monte Forest, the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach, and Monterey which boasts of a fully accessible 3.5 mile coastline, stunning pine and oak forests, scenic 18-hole municipal golf links, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast, Asilomar State Park and Beach, award-winning Natural History Museum, several municipal parks to include the coastal Recreation Trail, and a quaint downtown area. The Police Department comprises 34 full-time positions, including 23 sworn staff, serving a community of 15,522 residents.

SUMMARY: Under basic supervision, provides professional, responsive, and courteous police services for the Pacific Grove Police Department (PGPD); responds to calls for service, maintains peace and safety in the community, and enforces laws and ordinances; basic duties include patrol, interventions, investigations, and traffic regulation.

APPLICATION & SELECTION:
Applications MUST include the following:

1. Completed City of Pacific Grove Application
2. Resume
3. California POST-Approved Academy Graduation Certificate Attachment, OR
4. Basic POST Certificate Attachment, OR,
5. Basic POST Waiver Approval (for Out-of-State applicants)

PLEASE NOTE:
Applications missing any one of these components will not be accepted for consideration.

SPECIAL PAY INCENTIVES:
FTO / Corporal / School Resource Officer / Detective Assignments 5%
Education Incentive Pay up to 6.5%
POST Certificate Pay up to 5.5%
Shift Differential 2.5%
Physical Fitness Incentive Program, awards between $441 to $1,323
Spanish Bilingual Pay Incentive $200 monthly

This recruitment may be closed with or without notice.

Classification Description


As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Enforces state and federal laws, and City regulations; performs work according to PGPD policies to enforce laws, preserve peace, reduce fear, solve problems, and provide for a safe environment through community policing; duties will vary according to job assignment. Provides community-oriented police services, and improves and enhances the quality of life in the community; works with citizens to address the issues of safety, crime, fear of crime, and neighborhood disorder; ensures citizens are treated with courtesy and respect.
• Preserves the peace of the community through mediation, investigation, intervention, assistance, and
• arrest; utilizes all lawful means to improve the quality of life by recognizing and resolving problems.
• Patrols the City, looking for unusual and suspicious activities and persons; responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; investigates, documents, and resolves traffic incidents, crimes, dangerous and illegal activities, and citizen complaints; interrogates and communicates with victims, witnesses and suspects in cases; provides scene security for emergency services personnel.
• Responds to citizens' requests for assistance, enforces traffic regulations, detects crime, apprehends
• violators, and ensures public safety; applies laws and regulations fairly and consistently.
• Investigates crimes and accidents; secures and processes crime and accident scenes, and identifies and collects evidence; arrests law violators; transports and processes suspects, victims and prisoners.
• Testifies as required.
• Performs subpoena and warrant service.
• Completes detailed reports and required paperwork.
• Maintains PGPD vehicle and equipment according to Department standards.
• Assists and coordinates with other emergency services personnel, outside organizations and businesses, and federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations.
• Performs specialized functions in areas of expertise, including training, SRO/DARE, SRU, and other special enforcement, assessment, surveillance, intervention, and investigative teams.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Pacific Grove Police Department by ensuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Pacific Grove and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience:

• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment.
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License at the time of appointment.
• Must possess a High School diploma, a G.E.D. certificate, and/or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited school, college, or university.
• Must be fingerprinted through local, state, and national systems for the disclosure of criminal records.
• Must be of good moral character as determined by a thorough backgrounds investigation, including a polygraph examination.
• Must be found free of any physical, emotional or mental conditions that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Must be a graduate of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Training Academy; or meet out-of-state equivalency as approved by POST.
• Must be able to obtain a California Basic POST Certificate.

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• City, county, state, and federal civil and criminal laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Police Officer.
• California criminal justice and court systems and the principles of criminal justice records management.
• Basic 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.
• Basic law enforcement management principles, practices, and trends.
• Investigative and interrogative procedures and protocols for observation of critical details.
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.
• Geography, roads, and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.

Skill in:

• Interpreting laws and regulations, making decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Effectively managing situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.
• Exercising controlled discretion and mediating difficult situations.
• Remaining alert at all times, and reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Interpreting and applying criminal laws to information, evidence, and other data compiled.
• The care, maintenance, and safe operation of a variety of firearms, impact weapons, chemical agents, and other law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Communicating with violators, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, mediating difficult situations, and using effective arrest and control techniques.
• Investigating crime scenes, and recognizing evidence and causes of crime, death, and accidents.
• Working as a team member with other law enforcement and multi-jurisdictional agencies.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, and representatives from other regional agencies.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Supplemental Information

Licensing and Certification

• Maintain a valid California State Driver's License.
• Maintain required POST certification and training requirements.

Working Conditions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in the field on patrol; may be exposed to physical attacks, hazardous chemicals, infectious and communicable diseases; required to physically restrain persons; must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet PGPD standards.

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental and vision insurance coverage offered to employees and dependents.
• Life Insurance: $75,000 death benefit
• Supplemental Short Term and Long Term Disability Plans
• Holidays: Paid Holidays and floating holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Voluntary health care or dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• PERS Retirement: Employer/Employee shared contributions.
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Voluntary participation in a 457 deferred compensation plan. Up to $50 per month employer match.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• The City does not participate in Social Security except for the mandatory Medicare Program.

Benefits are subject to change and do not constitute a contract.
01


Did you provide a copy of your California POST Approved Academy Graduation Certificate, Basic POST Certificate OR Basic POST Waiver Approval?

• Yes
• No

02


Did you provide a copy of your resume?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you able to furnish a valid California Class C driver's license and recent satisfactory DMV driving record at the time of selection interview?

• Yes
• No

04


What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher

05


Do you have any concerns about participating in a full, detailed law enforcement background for this position at this time?
06


This position is required to work a flexible work schedule. Are you willing to work a variety of shifts, to include holidays, weekends, and overtime?

• Yes
• No

Required Question