Police Officer- Lateral & Academy Graduate

Police Officer- Lateral & Academy Graduate

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Police Officer- Lateral & Academy Graduate

Salary

$104,339.25 - $129,241.01 Annually

Location

Fairfield, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00012

Department

POLICE

Division

Police Patrol Sworn

Opening Date

02/04/2026

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

FPOA

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

YOU MUST BE A POST ACADEMY GRADUATE, CURRENT, OR QUALIFYING FORMER POLICE OFFICER TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION.

The Fairfield Police Department serves a diverse community and exists to improve the quality of life in Fairfield. The department is committed to working with our community members to solve problems together. Police Officers are expected to perform a wide variety of sworn peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property; to maintain order and preserve peace; to provide assistance to the public; to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; respond to emergency and non-emergency situations; arrest violators of the law; to conduct investigations and perform other related duties.

To learn more about Fairfield PD, please visit or contact the Police Personnel unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io. This recruitment is open and continuous and may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Spanish speaking candidates encouraged to apply.

This position is represented by the Fairfield Police Officers’ Association (FPOA) and receives an excellent benefits package, including:

• Hiring Incentive - $20,000

• $5,000 (at time of hire)

• $5,000 (after probation completion)

• $5,000 (completion of 2nd yr of service)

• $5,000 (completion of 3rd yr of service)

• Participation in the CalPERS Retirement System

• Class PERS members retain 3% at 50 formula

• Holiday Pay-5.38% premium for scheduled holidays

• Educational Incentives

• 2.0% for POST Intermediate Certificate

• 3.5% for POST Advanced Certificate

• 2.5% for Associate's Degree

• 5.0% for Bachelor's Degree

• Longevity Incentive up to 7.5% (based upon years of service)

• City contribution to 457 deferred compensation plan - $ 150 per month

• City contribution to Retirement Health Savings Plan - $ 100 per month

• Bilingual Pay for qualifying languages

• Uniform Allowance - $1,250/year

• Initial uniforms and equipment provided upon hire

• Tuition Reimbursement - $6,000/year

• Night shift differential available for FTO’s

• Personally assigned take home vehicle program for employees who live within 6o minutes of Fairfield

• Generous contributions to medical, dental and vision plans

• State of the art indoor range and training facility, including indoor range, force option simulator, defensive tactics room, and classrooms.

• Gym available to employees for on-duty use

NOTE: The maximum posted salary includes all incentives (except hiring bonus incentive) plus proficiency pay.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of a sworn Police Officer's job; involves extensive public contact often in high stress and emotionally charged situations. May be exposed to physical and verbal abuse, or combative suspects, where considerable self-control must be exercised. Work may include substantial periods of time exposed to various weather conditions (including extreme heat and rain), irritants and allergens. Must be able to work nights and weekends, and a 12-hour rotational shift, subject to callouts.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk or in patrol vehicle; walk and stand during patrol activities; bend squat and kneel during inspection of crime scene or conducting searches; run, climb stairs and/or ladders while in the field; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. Continuously wear a utility belt and other police equipment of 30 pounds; and intermittently lift, carry, drag, pull, push, persons or objects weighing at least 160 pounds or less. Work may require considerable physical exertion and exposure to inclement weather, toxic substances, and hazards associated with driving and/or directing traffic. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, normal color vision and hearing acuity are required. Incumbents must meet any other criteria mandated by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives direct supervision from a Police Sergeant.

Minimum Qualifications

ACADEMY GRADUATE:

Experience:

None required. However, some experience in law enforcement work is preferred.

Education:

An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university is required at time of appointment to Police Officer. Appointment to Police Officer occurs after graduation from a POST certified police academy.

• College credits earned while attending the police academy may be applied toward the 60 semester unit's requirement.

• Candidates may be credited with 36 semester credits for a minimum of 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force and Coast Guard).

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Class C California State Driver's License is required. Possession of a valid equivalent is acceptable during the application process

• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Police Academy Certificate dated within 3 years or proof of current enrollment in a California P.O.S.T. Police Academy is required and must be attached to your application.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.

• Must be free of felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.

• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.

LATERAL POLICE OFFICER:

Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year employment as a full-time paid Peace Officer with a P.O.S.T. approved California law enforcement agency is required.

Education:

An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university is required.

• Candidates may be credited with up to 36 semester credits for 3 years of full-time peace officer service with another agency. Lateral hires may receive 12 semester credits for each year of full-time peace officer service with another agency.

• Candidates may be credited with 36 semester credits for a minimum of 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force and Coast Guard).

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Class C California State Driver's License is required.

• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate is required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.

• Must be free of felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.

• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Examples of Duties

Examples of Duties

For the complete job description please visit:

Knowledge & Abilities

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination. This position requires a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological assessment, and a medical exam prior to appointment.

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates must submit an online application via NeoGov/Governmentjobs.com by 5:00 p.m. of the closing date. If you have any difficulties submitting your online application, please call NeoGov's Applicant Support Line at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Mac users please note: To ensure compatibility, please use Google Chrome and ensure iOS settings are up-to-date.

If you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing/interview process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least 1 week prior to the application deadline or examination date.

REFERENCE CHECKS:

The City utilizes an electronic reference check process to gather references of candidates once mutual interest is established. Please note that if you include your current supervisor in the “References” section of your application, they may be contacted once you have accepted a conditional job offer from the City.

Candidates are encouraged to notify anyone they list in the “References” section to help ensure a timely response. When listing references, please identify persons who can assess your professional qualifications in the context of the workplace. Examples include former colleagues/supervisors, mentors, etc. If you have limited or no work experience, you may identify personal references familiar with your qualifications that correlate to workplace experiences. Examples include teachers, volunteer coordinators, mentors, etc.

The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.

The City of Fairfield offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes City contribution toward the Public Employees' Retirement System and deferred savings; medical, dental and vision; life insurance; paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This position is represented by Fairfield Police Officers' Association (FPOA). Current FPOA members are under contract for a 3% @ 50 PERS retirement formula and are considered "classic" members. Due to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 / Assembly Bill 340, effective January 1, 2013, the retirement formula for all new PERS safety members is 2.7% @ 57. New PERS safety members are required to pay 50% of the normal cost of the retirement plan as defined by CalPERS which is currently 10.5%.

For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, please click on the following link: POA MOU ( .*

*Benefits, terms and conditions of employment may be amended or modified through the collective bargaining process.

01

Do you have at least one (1) year of experience as a full-time paid Peace Officer with a P.O.S.T. approved California law enforcement agency? Your response must be validated by the information provided in the WORK EXPERIENCE section of your application.

• Yes

• No

02

Do you have a CA POST Basic Certificate (Lateral Officer)? If yes, you must attach a copy to your application .

• Yes

• No

03

Have you completed a P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy? If yes, you must attach a copy to your application. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected due to not meeting minimum qualifications .

• Yes

• No

04

Are you currently enrolled in a P.O.S.T. approved police academy?

• Yes

• No

05

Do you meet the minimum educational requirements for this position?

• I have 60 semester units from an accredited college or university.

• I have an Associate's degree or higher.

• I have a combination of qualifying (Peace Officer or U.S. Armed Services) experience and college units.

• I do not meet the minimum educational requirements.

06

Please describe the circumstances surrounding your departure from any of your former employers.

07

Reflecting on your employment history, what insights have you gained from previous work experiences, and how would you approach your next role differently?

08

What interests you most about working for the Fairfield Police Department?

Required Question

Employer

City of Fairfield

Address

1000 Webster Street 4th Floor Fairfield, California, 94533

Phone

View phone number on click.appcast.io

Website