Police Officer Lateral

Job Bulletin

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. The City of Buena Park Police Department is seeking qualified police officer lateral applicants. This position is open to candidates who have a California Basic P.O.S.T. certificate and one year experience working as a police officer with a California law enforcement agency. Police officer salary up to $137,467 annually. A $12,000 signing bonus is available.

Successful police officer lateral candidates will be paid $4,000 of the signing bonus at the time of hire, $4,000 after completion of a field training program and 12-month probationary period, and $4,000 at the completion of a second year of service.

The City of Buena Park Police Department features the following services:

• Patrol services, traffic/enforcement, K9 unit, and SWAT
• Youth explorer program school resource officer program, and the citizens assisting police (CAP) volunteer program
• Crime prevention, investigative services bureau, and forensics
• Regional narcotics suppression program, gang unit, community impact team (CIT), gang reduction and intervention partnership (G.R.I.P.)
• Crimes, persons unit/property unit and the Orange County auto theft task force (OCATT)

The philosophy of community oriented policing is practiced by all Buena Park police personnel. The Buena Park police department believes in investing in partnerships with the community and actively pursues opportunities for community education.

The Buena Park police department is proud of its state-of-the-art facility built in 2009. Our facilities were built with the future of police work in mind.

• 24/7 expansive employee gym with impressive locker room facilities for both men and women
• Large patrol equipment storage lockers located near police cars
• On site weapons training facility
• State-of-the-art tactical equipment
• High tech dispatch center
• The latest computer technology with the focus on paperless processes
• Dictation services available for report writing

Education and advancement are encouraged and rewarded through generous training opportunities and robust promotional opportunities. Proactive police work is encouraged through opportunities for advanced investigation and collaborative relationships with detectives as a regular course of business for Buena Park police officers. Alternative work schedules, such as a 3/12 work week and special event overtime opportunities, such as Knott's Berry Farm and community events, are also available.

Qualifications Guidelines

Knowledge of police science principles, practices and professional standards; federal constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications; state laws, penal codes, traffic codes, and civil codes, statutes, court decisions, and case law; local codes and ordinances, departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and custody of prisoners or contraband; criminal investigation methods, identification methods; crime prevention principles, use of police records, and law enforcement practices; self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques; radio codes, transmission procedures and communication techniques; principles of human behavior; professional standards; contemporary patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, and related police services, including specialty assignments; communicable disease control methods and techniques; proper care and maintenance of property and equipment; effective customer service techniques.

Ability to operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, firearms and weapons; interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances; prepare and present clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records; analyze solutions to law enforcement problems; convey clear instructions or execute commands; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other divisions, police management, city departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public; communicate effectively, both orally or in writing; accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports; exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations; think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations; relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands while performing the duties of this class, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee is expected to climb or scale walls, ladders, or steps, carry police safety gear; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, squat or crawl, as well as walk, sit, and run. Sensory demands include talking, hearing, and using smell. This position must be able to pull and carry persons in emergency situations, administer first aid, and fight in self-defense. Employees are expected to grasp and carry power and hand tools, and lift, carry, and move persons, equipment, and push, pull or drag objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more.

Mental demands while performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; remain calm and use effective judgment in dangerous situations; and interact with citizens, business representatives, city staff, other organizations, police safety personnel, school representatives, and the public, and other interfaces depending upon the position assignment. The employee frequently works in outside weather conditions, and in a patrol unit and may operate specialized equipment when assigned to patrol. The work involves exposure to extreme heat, smoke, dust, fumes, and inclement weather, as well as loud noises such as, but not limited to, sirens, alarms, and diesel engines. These positions require the use of safety helmets, armored vest, earplugs, utility belts, and other specialized equipment as well as certification in protective and life saving equipment. These positions are subject to the threat of injury and life threatening hazards as part of police safety operations.

Education/Training/Experience

High school graduation or G.E.D. is required. Completion of up to 60 semester-level units related to general education and police science is highly desirable. Must have a California Basic P.O.S.T. certificate and one year experience with a California law enforcement agency. For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

A valid class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required. Successful completion of the police academy. For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment within one year of assignment. Satisfactory completion of basic, intermediate, and advanced peace officer standards & training (P.O.S.T.) certification is required within three years of assignment to this classification. Ability to work extended hours in order to meet shift needs, complete reports, attend meetings, or conduct police business. Employees who become department employees on or after January 1, 1987, shall, as a condition of their continued employment, refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time on or off duty. Violation of this condition of employment shall be deemed good cause for dismissal. Vision: No more than 20/100 uncorrected and 20/30 corrected and freedom from uncorrectable color blindness. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Age: Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States OR permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has already applied for citizenship. Psychological: Applicants must undergo a psychological assessment by a qualified professional to determine their suitability for the position. Polygraph examination: Applicants will be administered an integrity test, and a polygraph examination. Background investigation: Applicants will undergo a complete, comprehensive, P.O.S.T. approved background investigation. Character: Applicants must be of good character and reputation. Applicants will be fingerprinted and records checked in both state and federal bureaus. Applicants must not have a record of conviction of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory.

Applicant Information/Exam Weight

Applicants must file a concise and complete city application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the human resources department web page at as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a city employment application. All applications will be reviewed and only