Police Officer Lateral Transfer

Police Officer-Lateral Transfers

The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to the community.

Police Officer-Lateral Transfers are trained and experienced police professionals who can assume the full range of policing duties after a brief orientation. Police Officers are key participants in a partnership of the City and community to identify and resolve crime problems affecting the quality of life of all residents. The City of Santa Ana has a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic population with a rich Hispanic heritage and a history of support for the Police Department. This diversity and community support combine to make the Santa Ana Police Department an exciting and demanding place to work. Salary listed does not include incentives, some of which are listed below:

• Incentive Pay - Specialty Pay
• Career Development Pay:* Level 1: 5% * Level 2: 10% * Level 3: 15%
• Advanced Post: 2%
• Shift Differential: 5%
• Field Training Officer, Detective/Investigator, Motor Officer: 2.5%
• Bilingual: $535.95 or $267.98 depending on the level of fluency
• K9 Officer, Helicopter Pilot: 5%

Longevity Pay: (total years of law enforcement service) will be assigned at the following benchmarks:

• Completion of 10 years: 5%
• Completion of 15 years: 10%
• Completion of 20 years: 15%

For more information on incentive pay, please see Articles IV, V & VI of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (POA) Memorandum of Understanding.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL PERFORMERS: Successful officers are characterized by the ability to make sound decisions which are based on fact, not emotion, quickly and repeatedly throughout the day. They demonstrate a strong sense of fairness and the ability to apply both the spirit and letter of the law within legal parameters of discretion. They embrace the principles of Community Oriented Policing by exhibiting a genuine concern for the safety of the community and the quality of life of its citizens, successful Police Officers are alert and ready to take action. They enjoy both working alone and as an integral part of a team effort. Ideal candidates are proficient in writing reports and handling paperwork and willingly work varying shifts, weekends and holidays.

Essential Functions Include But Are Not Limited To

Please refer to this link to see a comprehensive list of job functions: Essential Functions

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements set forth by CA P.O.S.T. in addition to those set forth by our agency. Some of the requirements are listed below.

• Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic certificate or higher (if you do not have one, you do not qualify for the Lateral Transfer position).
• Successful completion of the probationary period, and/or been employed on a permanent basis, within the past two and one-half (2½) years as a sworn law enforcement officer in the state of California, preferably a municipality.

Bilingual fluency is not required at this time. Applicants interested in receiving bilingual pay must be fluent in both English and any one of the following languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Samoan, Hmong, Korean, or Cambodian.

NOTE: If you have failed a test component, you must wait at least three months to reapply (except the physical agility test or bilingual fluency exam). Individuals who have failed the psychological evaluation must wait at least one year before reapplying.

Selection Process

All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form online, as well as complete the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide.

NOTE: Please complete the application form in its entirety. Work history must go back at least 10 years (if applicable). Pay special attention to the 'REASON FOR LEAVING' fields, and 'DATES OF EMPLOYMENT (year)' fields. Any application with one or more unanswered fields will be considered incomplete.

Applications, CA P.O.S.T. certificates, and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department & Police Department. A Personal History Statement and Background Investigative Questionnaire, completed by candidates prior to the end of the selection process, will also be reviewed by the Police Department and used as a screening tool.

If you pass the initial application, supplemental questionnaire, and background screenings, and possess the most pertinent training and qualifications, in order to be placed on the eligible list, you must pass each of the following components (except the bilingual fluency exam):

• PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAM: (qualifying) will evaluate each applicant's physical strength, agility and endurance in the following timed components:
• 1.5 MILE RUN The 1.5 mile run must be completed within 14 minutes to pass the City of Santa Ana physical agility test.
• 500 YARD RUN Run 500 yards
• SOLID FENCE CLIMB Run 5 yards to a 6-foot solid fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards
• CHAIN LINK FENCE Run 5 yards to a 6-foot chain link fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards
• OBSTACLE COURSE/AGILITY RUN Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch high obstacle
• BODY DRAG Lift and drag 165 pound lifelike dummy 32 feet

Some components may be waived Each of the above events are timed. Candidate's performance times are converted to points and summed. Candidates must successfully complete the 1.5 mile run AND accumulate a minimum total score of 384 points in the remaining five events to pass the physical agility test.

Tentative 2026 PAT Dates: 01/10/26, 01/13/26, 02/07/26, 02/10/26, 03/10/26, 03/14/26, 04/25/26, 04/28/26, 05/16/26, 05/19/26, 06/13/26, 06/16/26, 07/11/26, 07/14/26, 08/08/26, 08/11/26, 09/12/26, 09/15/26, 10/10/26, 10/13/26, 11/14/26, 11/17/26, 12/12/26, 12/15/26

BACKGROUND ORIENTATION: (qualifying) prepare personal statement, receive background packet, meet with background investigator

ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION: (weight of 100%) will evaluate experience, training and personal qualifications for the position. Candidates need a score of 70% or higher to pass this examination.

NOTE: Prior to appointment, candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a medical examination to determine minimum acceptable qualifications as established by Government Code 1031 Section (f) and POST Commission Regulation 1954.

Applicants must pass every component of the selection process in order to be further considered. Those who are successful in steps 1 - 3 above will be placed on an eligible list and will be considered for appointment as vacancies occur.

The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.