Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary : $89,382.77 - $119,781.46 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 002027-26-PD-11
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


THE POSITION
THIS POSTING IS FOR POLICE OFFICER LATERAL ONLY
Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.
You must have experience as a Police Officer with a law enforcement agency or be in possession of a valid P.O.S.T Basic Certificate or Basic Course Waiver issued by the State of California received within three (3) years of the date of appointment to qualify for this position.

DEFINITION
To provide services through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The classification of Police Officer is a journey level classification assigned full arrest and citation powers under the California Penal Code. Police Officer is distinguished from the Police Officer Recruit classification in that it has full police authority to carry out the enforcement of laws and ordinances while the Police Officer Recruit is a recruiting and training-level classification with no police authority. Police Officer is distinguished from the Police Sergeant classification in that it is a journey level classification which has no supervisory responsibilities except for training new employees while the Police Sergeant has supervisory responsibility and directs work of subordinate personnel on a continual basis. Police Officers receive assignments and special instruction from higher ranking officers who also review the Police Officer's work.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
General supervision is provided by higher level sworn personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


Depending upon assignments, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Patrol a designated area of the city on foot, on a motorcycle, or in a patrol car, jeep or van to preserve order, prevent crime discover criminal acts, and make arrests.
• Answer radio dispatched or citizens' request for police services at accident scenes, domestic disputes, law violations, and peace disturbances.
• Conduct investigations, gather evidence, interview witnesses, take statements, make arrests, write citations and/or make written reports at crime or accident scenes.
• Promote and ensure a community-based policing philosophy and strategy, in which collaborative problem solving with citizens and other stakeholders is coveted.
• Attend, participate, and represent the department at a variety of community events; participate in community engagement activities; build and maintain relationships with community members.
• Provide first aid to injured or sick subjects.
• Testify in court at criminal hearings and trials.
• Provide traffic control at accident scenes, fires, and congested areas.
• May work in plain clothes to conduct follow-up investigations, and to suppress vice or narcotics activities.
• Conduct line-ups for identification of suspects.
• Attend community meetings to discuss crime problems.
• Evaluate and control violent situations and persons; emphasize de-escalation tactics when appropriate.
• Order and direct emergency equipment at accident and disaster scenes. Search for missing persons.
• Drive vehicles under hazardous and emergency conditions. Train new employees in proper police procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

*SEE LATERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS*

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and city codes and ordinances relating to law enforcement.
• Modern approved principles and procedures of police work.
• Department rules and regulations.
• General Orders and directives.
• City streets and principal locations.
• Court and evidence procedures.
• Court decisions affecting police practices.
• Radio procedures.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation tools.

Ability to:

• Communicate in English in a clear, distinct, and understandable manner when speaking to individuals, to people of different socio-economic levels, before various public and community groups, and when testifying in court.
• Write clearly, accurately, concisely, and legibly using correct English, grammatical construction, and spelling.
• Read and interpret complex technical documents in English.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Observe, assimilate, remember, record, and recall pertinent facts and details.
• Read maps and mapped information.
• Apply selected knowledge (i.e., laws, statutes, court decisions, department policies, criminal investigation theories, etc.) in collecting, organizing, and analyzing a variety of information to decide on an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
• Effectively work with, serve, and communicate impartially with individuals of a variety of culturally diverse and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Analyze problems and rationally and calmly take effective action in emergency and stressful situations.
• Evaluate and de-escalate stressful and volatile situations.
• Plan and effectively present material orally to diverse groups.
• Deal courteously but firmly with the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other City employees.
• Use firearms safely and accurately.
• Climb barriers, jump obstacles, and perform strenuous physical activities.
• Control resisting subjects with a minimum of force necessary to effect an arrest.
• Use modern computer equipment including but not limited to in car mobile data computers, in car video and audio recording devices, body cameras, electronic mapping and GPS equipment, and specialized tracking equipment.

Skill in:

• Driving a vehicle under hazardous conditions.
• The use of ancillary police weaponry and weaponless defense.
• The use of first aid, including but not limited to Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation techniques.

Experience and Education:

Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent.


-AND-

Experience:
Successful completion of the Sacramento Police Academy as a City of Sacramento Police Officer Recruit or Community Service Officer.
-OR -
Possession of a valid California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or Basic Course Waiver issued by the State of California.


For basic academy graduates, the certificate or waiver must be received within three (3) years of the date of appointment.


Lateral entry candidates must be currently employed as a full-time sworn peace officer in a California P.O.S.T.-recognized law enforcement agency and have two (2) years as a full-time sworn peace officer in a California P.O.S.T participating law enforcement department or agency.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION


Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment . Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.


SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS


Age:
Must be at least 21 years of age by the date of appointment.


Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver license at the time of appointment. Loss of the license is cause for discipline.


Respiratory Protective Equipment:
Work in this class requires wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.


Felony Convictions:
Free of felony convictions under California Government Code Section 1029.


PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Employees hired as a lateral entry must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status. All other employees must complete eighteen (18) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE


Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application for further consideration.

• Employment applications must be submitted online ; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on 40 hours per week (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of certification and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office as part of the application process;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee (Pass/Fail) : Human Resources will evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications stated on the job announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the department after the last day of the month.


4. Oral Interview: (100%) - The oral interview will consist of job-related questions. The Oral Interview is administered by the Sacramento Police Department.


5. Physical Ability Test: (Pass/Fail) - Applicants who pass the oral interview test may be required to pass the physical ability test. The Physical Ability Test is administered by the Sacramento Police Department.


6. Background Process: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and drug use history.


QUESTIONS
If you have specific questions regarding the Police Officer Recruit position, hiring process, Police Academy, etc.:

• Go to the Sacramento Police Department website at
• Send an email to
• Call the Police Recruiting Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at
• Send an email to
• Call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.


Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules:


Union Contracts:
Salary Schedule:
01



APPLICATION : I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions:

• Yes

02


I understand that I must pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

• Yes

03



PROOF OF CERTIFICATION: I understand proof of possession of a valid P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate issued by the State of California should be submitted with my application and will be required at the time of appointment.

• Yes

04



CERTIFICATION CONFIRMATION: I attest I possess or will posses a valid P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or Basic Course Waiver issued by the State of California by the time of appointment.

• Yes
• No

05


I am currently employed as a full- time sworn peace officer in a California P.O.S.T. participating law enforcement department or agency and possess two (2) years as a full-time sworn peace officer in a California P.O.S.T participating law enforcement department or agency.

• Yes
• No

06



SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE : The answers to the questions below will be reviewed by the hiring department along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing this Supplemental Questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation may negatively affect the hiring department's review of your Supplemental Questionnaire. I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

07


I understand that candidates must be free of felony convictions under California Government Code 1029. Conviction of a misdemeanor is not necessarily a bar to employment, each case is considered separately based on job requirements.

• Yes

08


I understand that candidates considered for appointment must pass a medical examination, a drug test, and a psychological test.

• Yes

09


I understand that a current/valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. I will be able to meet this requirement.

• Yes

10


I have the ability to speak, read, and/or write a language other than English.

• Yes
• No

11


If "Yes" on #10, list the language(s) you speak, read, and/or write.
12


I understand the Sacramento Police Department expects me to thoroughly complete the Sacramento Police Recruitment Survey.To complete the survey, please copy and past the following URL into a web browser:

• Yes

Required Question