Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Trained)

Join The City Of Orange Police Department As A Police Officer

Tentative testing date: Friday morning, July 10, 2026. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to the physical ability test on this date. $10,000 hiring incentive (lateral candidates only) $5,000 upon hire $5,000 upon successful completion of probation. The City of Orange is looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in the community they serve by becoming a member of one of the best Police Departments in Orange County. Successful candidates will demonstrate a desire for a career as a Police Officer through their education and experience. Those candidates who, based on their application, best meet the needs of the City will be contacted for participation in the selection process which will include, but may not be limited to, the following: Physical Ability Test (scored as a pass/fail) and an in-person appraisal interview (100% of a candidate's score in the selection process).

Physical Ability Test Components:

• Obstacle Course (Foot Pursuit): 99-yards in length. Involves various turns, balance beams, and a hurdle.
• 2 Six-foot Walls: Climb over one solid concrete wall and one chain-linked wall.
• Dummy Drag: Lift, drag, and pull a 165 lbs. dummy for 35 ft.
• 500-Yard Run: Timed completion of the distance.

Police Officer Salary and Benefits: The salary for Police Officer is $8,134 - $10,849 per month, plus very generous benefits and salary incentives.

Retirement Benefits: An employee who is a Classic member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 3.0% @ age 50 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 12.0% of salary on a pre-tax basis as their full share of their member contribution. Employees do not pay into Social Security. Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired sworn employees who are new CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% at age 57 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation, in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New members will be required to pay half of normal retirement costs of pension reportable salary as their full share of their member contribution.

Salary Incentives: Officers assigned as the following receive:

• Motor Officers - receive additional 6.5% pay per month
• Detectives - receive additional 7.5% pay per month
• Canine Handlers - receive additional 6.5% pay per month
• Corporals in Patrol - receive additional 10.0% pay per month
• Driving Under Influence (DUI) Team- receive additional 5.0% per month
• Homeless Engagement and Resource Team (HEART) - receive additional 5.0% per month
• Bike Team - receive additional 5.0% per month
• Crime Scene Investigators - receive additional $250 per month
• Drug Recognition Expert- receive additional $250 per month
• Field Training Officers - up to $475 per month
• SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) - up to $200 per month
• Shift Differential - receive additional 2% pay per month
• Educational Incentive Program - receive the following incentives per month for college degree/units and P.O.S.T. Certificates:
• Bachelor's Degree - $450 per month
• Master's Degree (in an area related to Law Enforcement, Public Administration, or Management from an accredited university, as approved by the City Manager or a duly authorized designee) - $700 per month
• POST Intermediate Certificate - $200 per month
• POST Advanced Certificate - $250 per month
• Senior Officer Pay - Officers not in special assignments with over 6 years of service with the Orange Police Department receive additional 5% of base salary per month.
• Longevity/Retention Pay - Officers with over 10 years of sworn service receive $200 per month, officers with over 15 years of sworn service receive $300 per month, officers with over 20 years of sworn service receive $400 per month, and officers with over 25 years of sworn service receive $500 per month.
• Bilingual Pay - If qualified, officers may receive $300 per month.

Other Benefits: Orange Police Officers work a 3/12 schedule for Patrol Officers and a 4/10 schedule for all special assignments. Employees receive 105 hours per year of holiday accrual, and 80 hours of vacation for the first 4 years of service. Vacation accrual increases to 120 hours upon 5 years of service, and increases to a maximum of 220 hours after 30 years of service. The City also pays court standby pay. In addition to retirement, the City offers an optional Deferred Compensation Plan.

Automatic Disqualifiers: Prior to submitting an application, please read the Automatic Disqualifier Notice to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the position.

Examples of Duties

Enforces city, county and state laws; patrols assigned areas; responds to calls for protection of life and property; conducts preliminary investigations of matters involving possible violations of law; investigates criminal cases; directs and controls traffic flow; stops violators; warns against unlawful practices, issues citations, testifies in court; prepares and submits reports; inspects business premises; investigates suspicious persons and circumstances; gives information and directions to the public; reviews case records and reports; collects and identifies evidence; apprehends and arrests criminal law violators; enforces parking regulations; attends training assignments and target practice; performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Lateral Police Officer Requirements:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Candidates must be a graduate of a California certified POST Basic Police Academy and possess and maintain Basic POST Certificate. A physical ability test is required graduation from Police Academy occurred more than 6 months ago.
• Must be currently employed as a sworn Peace Officer with a minimum of one year of full-time experience as a sworn Peace Officer.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Possession of a valid California driver license with good driving record.
• All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Academy-Trained Police Officer Requirements:

• Successful completion of a California certified P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy or current enrollment in an Academy.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• At least 20 years of age at time of application and at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Possession of a valid California driver license with good driving record.
• All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Supplemental Information

Employees must meet standards of physical stature, endurance, and agility established by the City. Tasks involve frequent driving, walking and standing, and occasional running; frequent light lifting and occasional lifting of heavy objects or persons; employee must have the physical ability to apprehend and restrain subjects and to defend one's self from attack. Tasks involve the operation of vehicles, firearms, and other equipment in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important ingredients of safe and productive operations. Tasks may require exposure to extreme heat or cold, extreme weather conditions, strong odors and/or smoke, dust, or pollen. Tasks require visual, color, depth, and sound perception as well as oral communications ability.