Police Officer (Lateral)

Police OfficerThe Department:The men and women of the Santa Clara Police Department take tremendous pride in providing the community with outstanding service through the "Santa Clara Way" of service. In partnership with the citizens, the team provides law enforcement services with professional and dedicated staff. The team will always identify and resolve problems utilizing all available resources and perform services professionally and with a high level of integrity.The Position:This position is a sworn position in the Police Department. Incumbents perform various law enforcement duties which impact public safety, including responding to calls for service and investigating complaints. Primary functions are patrol assignments where incumbents monitor and respond to calls for service to protect people, property, and enforce City, County, and State laws. Performs related duties as assigned.To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must upload at least a BASIC POST CERTIFICATE (proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic POST Certificate).Additional Information:Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write "see resume, NA, or personnel file."). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic POST Certificate. Incomplete applications will not be considered.Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis for consideration to the position. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.This recruitment is a continuous recruitment, and applications are accepted on an on-going basis. The recruitment may close periodically to accommodate for various recruitment phases, but examinations will be held periodically to update the eligible list. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to be considered for the current testing phase. Per the Civil Service Rules, a candidate in a continuous examination may not take the same examination within the following six (6) months and a police officer candidate may repeat the physical ability portion of the examination after ninety (90) days of his/her last physical ability examination. Applicants may be deferred to a subsequent testing phase in order to adhere to this provision in the Civil Service Rules.This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments besides the positions listed below. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.The annual salary range for this position is $155,827.80 - $198,864.72. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.Minimum QualificationsEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of academic level courses at an accredited college or university AND proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certification, with at least two (2) years full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department; ORSuccessful completion of California POST Basic Police Academy as a Recruit Police Officer with the Santa Clara Police Department.Acceptable Substitution: None. License/Certifications:Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.Recruit Police Officers who complete the Basic Police Academy with the City of Santa Clara must possess and maintain a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certification within eighteen (18) months of appointment.The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code (GC) Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be: o Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029); o Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (GC 1031); and o At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)Other Requirements: PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTSMust be at least 20 years of age at time of application filing and 21 years of age at time of job appointment;Must possess the strength and physical ability necessary to perform the essential functions of the position; andMust be willing to be fingerprinted.Vision requirements:Vision including color, night, depth, and peripheral vision sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position.Visual acuity of not less than 20/80 vision in each eye uncorrected, and corrected to 20/30 in each eye.EXCEPTION: Applicants with correction afforded by soft contact lenses are exempt from the minimum uncorrected vision standard of 20/80, provided their corrected vision is 20/30 in each eye. Hearing, speech, and mental capabilities sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position.SPECIAL CONDITIONSRequired to work a basic workweek consisting of a "4/11 – 3/11" shift schedule, subject to the operational needs of the Department.May be required to work odd and unusual hours, including weekends and designated holidays, and to be subject to call-back in the performance of job duties.Candidates are required to pass the following City examinations prior to being given a conditional offer of employment: oral examination, reading/writing assessment, physical ability assessment, and personal history questionnaire.If given a conditional offer of employment, candidates must also pass a full background check which may include medical, psychological, and polygraph examination prior to appointment.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesCandidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment. Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS: This position qualifies for Veteran's Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #2 Police Officers AssociationThis summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #2 employees in 2026. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.Retirement*:Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)Medicare and Social Security (FICA)Health Insurance:The City contributes up to 100% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only and Employee + 1 Dependent plans, and up to 90% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan of the Employee + 2 or More Dependents planEmployees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basisNo cash difference is paid if an employee elects a plan cheaper than the max City contribution