Police Officer (Academy Graduate/Lateral)

Salary : $96,315.72 - $122,925.96 Annually
Location : Corona, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Benefited
Job Number: 2026-32-06
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 04/21/2026
Closing Date: 5/27/2026 12:00 AM Pacific


DESCRIPTION
This recruitment is currently to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.

Offering Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Upcoming Negotiated Increases

3.0% Increase effective 12/26/2026
Step into a career where purpose meets action. The City of Corona is seeking dedicated and community-focused individuals to join our team as Police Officers. Under general supervision, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day-protecting lives, safeguarding property, and building trust within the community. You'll play a vital role in maintaining public safety by enforcing laws and regulations, supporting specialized crime prevention programs, and assisting residents with professionalism and integrity.


New lateral officers shall receive forty (40) hours of annual leave upon hire. The forty (40) hours of annual leave will not be permitted to be cashed out if released during probation. Additionally, an officer's full-time sworn law enforcement service shall count when determine an employee's years of service placement with relation to longevity pay and annual leave accrual.
The City of Corona Police Department prides itself on offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits. A brief description is provided below. City paid benefits shall be as set forth in the most current version of the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between the City of Corona and the Corona Police Employees Association, which can be viewed on the City's website by clicking . In the event of any conflict between the above summary of City paid benefits and any terms or conditions set forth in the most current version of the MOU, the terms and conditions set forth in the MOU shall control for purposes of this recruitment

Benefits
Medical Allowance$2,273 Family, $1,721 Two Party, $1,003 Single per month.Medical Opt-Out$600 Family, $400 Two Party, $200 Single per month.Marksmanship Bonus$16.15 per pay periodUniform Allowance$132.31 per pay period Ballistic Safety Vest Reimbursementup to $1,150 once very 5 yearsRetirement Health Savings$5,000 annuallyBilingual Pay4% of base payIntermediate POST Certificate3% of base payAdvance POST Certificate
8% of base pay

Knowledge & Education

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
• Knowledge of operations and services of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement department.
• Understanding of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility including the California Penal Code, California Vehicle Code, Health and Safety Codes, Welfare and Institution Codes, and the Corona municipal code.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of criminal law enforcement including patrol, investigations, interrogation, crime prevention, and special operations functions.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension and arrest of suspects committing misdemeanors and felonies.

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to perform law enforcement duties within an assigned program area to ensure the protection and safety of citizens and property.
• Ability to observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places; remember accounts given by witnesses.
• Ability to identify crime suspects; interpret and apply the law to field situations; observe while conducting surveillance; and problem solve crime situations.
• Ability to conduct effective interviews with victims and witnesses; interrogate suspects; summarize and document interviews and interrogations.
• Ability to pursue, apprehend, and subdue suspects in accordance with mandated procedures.
• Ability to process crime scenes and maintain chain of custody of evidence.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Experience

• Lateral candidates must possess a current California POST Basic Certificate. Out-of-State applicants must possess a valid California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Course Waiver at time of application. Certificate to be maintained throughout employment and must be attached to your application; and,
• must have successfully completed their probationary period and/or training program at another law enforcement agency.
• Academy Graduate candidates must have graduated from a California POST Basic Academy or proof of Basic Course Requalification.

Both Lateral and Academy Graduates:

• Must possess a current and valid California Class C Driver's License at time of appointment as a condition of continued employment, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Candidates must be 20.5 years of age at time of application.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Candidates must be in good standing with POST and their current department.

Characteristics

• Integrity- Being truthful and ethical in what we do, what we say, and what we say we do in both our personal and professional lives.
• Respect- We are committed to our profession and will always respect one another and the community that we serve.
• Inclusion- We are not just diverse; we are welcoming to all.
• Teamwork- When we work together to achieve our mission, the department and community will grow stronger. Together, we are better.
• Innovation- We provide modern police services and are committed to always improve our organizational practices.

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt eligible for overtime compensation.


To view the position's complete job description, .


APPLICATION PROCEDURE : Application must be submitted using the following procedure:

Complete the online application in full, including job history, supplemental questions, and required attachments. In order to complete your application, copies of the following MUST be attached on-line:
Academy-Graduate:

• California POST Basic Academy or proof of Basic Course Requalification.

Lateral:

• California POST Basic Certificate or California POST Basic Waiver.

Candidates not having the required documentations will be disqualified during the application screening and will NOT continue in the process. Candidates will NOT be notified of an incomplete application.
Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 12:00pm
Candidates that successfully pass the screening process and are deemed to possess the most desirable qualifications will be invited to participate in an in-person oral interview. The top scoring candidates from the oral interview will be placed on an eligibility list and will be contacted by the department to start the background process as vacancies arise.


Successful candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation and medical exam with the Corona Police Department. Background investigation will include but is not limited to the following:

• No felony conviction(s).
• Submit to a fingerprint and criminal history check - State and Federal Bureaus.
• Good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• United States high school graduate, GED, or equivalent.
• No conviction(s) of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses.
• Submit to a polygraph examination.
• Successfully pass a medical examination and psychological exam.
• Credit history check, if established, must be satisfactory.

COMMUNITY
A City whose heritage spans more than a century, the City of Corona, located in Riverside County, California, encompasses around 40 square miles and has a vibrant, culturally diverse population of approximately 168,100 residents. Residents of Corona enjoy a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities that provide a first-rate quality of life for its residents and visitors. Within an hour's travel time, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy such winter activities as snowboarding and skiing and such summer activities as surfing, boating, or simply relaxing on a beach. Corona's economy is strong and getting stronger; more than 84,000 people work here. Our retail, commercial, and housing areas are expanding, and office development continues to be strong.


THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Corona is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. Policymaking and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members. Members of the City Council are elected by District to a four-year term. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves as the presiding officer for one year.

The City is organized into the following departments/organizational units: Community Services, City Manager's Office, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Risk Management, Police, Planning & Development, Public Works and Utilities. Oversight of these departments is divided between the City Manager and two Assistant City Managers.

The City's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of 935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and visitors each day.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


To view all essential duties and responsibilities,

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES


To view the qualification guidelines,

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT


To view the physical/mental demands and work environment,
CORONA POLICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
CITY PAID BENEFITS
RETIREMENT: Employees are covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City does not participate in Social Security and the City pays the employees mandatory contribution to the Medicare Program.

The City offers two retirement formulas based on the employee's current CalPERS membership status. The 3% @ 50 highest single year of service retirement formula will be applied to employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 and those current CalPERS members with no significant break in PERS-qualified employment. The 2.7% @ 57 three year average retirement formula will be applied to those employees with a significant break in PERS-qualified employment those who have not formerly been a member of CalPERS or another retirement program with which CalPERS has a reciprocal relationship.

All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA.
ANNUAL LEAVE:
Full-Time Employees: Each biweekly pay period, Annual Leave hours earned are posted to the account of each employee as follows:

YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CITY: 1-5 Years
ANNUAL ACCRUAL: 210 hours
ACCRUAL PER PAY PERIOD: 8.08 hours

Completion of one year of service to completion of five years of service is the first level. (Please see full for all of the levels)
ANNUAL LEAVE BUYBACK: The cash out or conversion of annual leave as either payment into deferred compensation, retiree health savings plan or taxable cash shall be at the employee's regular rate of pay, minus the medical insurance opt out/cash back: Conversion above 624 Hours:
At the end of the last day of the last pay period that ends in each calendar year, if an employee has accrued more than 624 hours of Annual Leave, the Annual Leave hours in excess of 624 hours will be converted to the monetary equivalent at the employee's regular rate of pay and the employee shall have the following choice:
1) to have the dollar value placed in the Nationwide Retirement Healthcare Savings Account on the employee's behalf; or
2) to have the dollar value placed in the employee's deferred compensation account (set up per IRS code section 457) or Roth IRA up to the maximum permitted by law. Any employee who chooses this option must advise Human Resources no later than December 1 each year. If the employee does not advise the City of this option by December 1, the value of the excess Annual Leave will be placed in the employee's RHS account.

HOLIDAYS: There are a total of 13 holidays for this unit. Specific days are listed in the MOU. For all City holidays, employees will either work (because it is their regularly scheduled workday or because they are working an additional shift) or be off work (because the holiday falls on their regular day off). Employees who are scheduled to work on a City holiday may request the day off and such request is subject to supervisor approval. If approved, the employee will receive holiday pay for the shift and may use annual leave or compensatory time to cover any hours scheduled above ten (10) for the shift.
DISABILITY & LIFE INSURANCE: Short-term and long term disability insurance is provided free to each employee.


LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a term life insurance policy to each employee equal to 5 ½ times the employee's annual basic earnings to a maximum, of $750,000.00.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The City currently offers a variet of HMO plans as well as several PPO plan through CalPERS.

For plan information, please view this link:


The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) for the provision of medical insurance. All employees in the bargaining unit shall receive the CalPERS statutory minimum (i.e., the amount required under the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) which is $158.00/month for calendar year 2025 and a yet to be determined amount for subsequent calendar years). The City contracts with Delta Dental to provide Dental Insurance with both an HMO and PPO plan option available for employees to choose. The City contracts with EyeMed to provide Vision Insurance for employees to choose.

If the City desires to change dental or vision carriers, the Association agrees that it will meet promptly with the City to meet and confer regarding such changes. All employees in the bargaining unit shall receive the amounts below for the purchase of health insurance. This includes medical, dental and vision insurance. These amounts include the CalPERS statutory minimum as well as an additional amount provided under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.
(1) $978 per month for Members electing Employee only coverage;
(2) $1,646 per month for Members electing Employee plus one dependent coverage; or
(3) $2,173 per month for Members electing Employee plus two or more dependents coverage.

The City's provision of funds for health insurance is provided through the Cafeteria Plan. If a Member enrolls in health benefits that cost more than provided above, they will be responsible for payment of any additional dollars for the benefits chosen.

OPT OUT: In lieu of receiving the Medical Allowance, a Member may elect to receive a monthly allocation to the Cafeteria Plan according to the following schedule:

(a) $300.00 per pay period ($600 per month) for Employee + 2 or more dependents
(b) $200.00 per pay period ($400 per month) for Employee + 1 dependent
(c) $100.00 per pay period ($200 per month) for Employee Only

DENTAL INSURANCE: The City currently offers HMO and PPO dental insurance through Delta Dental and Delta Care. Dental insurance premiums are paid by the employee.
VISION INSURANCE: The City currently offers vision insurance through Eye Med. Vision insurance premiums are paid by the employee.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM: This is a comprehensive program designed to help employees and their family members find direction in solving personal and/or emotional problems.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN: Each employee may contribute to either a medical reimbursement account or dependent care account to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The flexible benefit plan is offered at the time of hire and at each open enrollment period.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION (457) PLAN: To supplement retirement, employees can make voluntary salary deferrals to a Nationwide plan. Employee contribution limits are defined by law.
RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN (RHS): To assist employees when they retire, the City offers a Retirement Health Savings plan through Nationwide PEHP. The plans allow retirees to get tax-free withdrawals from their account when used for reimbursement of qualified health care expenses. Employees hired on or after October 13, 2007 shall receive a Retirement Health Savings Account contribution of $1250.00 per quarter.
LONGEVITY PAY: In recognition of an employee's length of full-time service to the City of Corona, employees who qualify under the following schedule will receive one twenty-sixth (1/26th) of the following amounts paid biweekly as part of the regular payroll:
Police Officer
After five (5) years of service: $2,320.00
After ten (10) years of service: $3,720.00
After fifteen (15) years of service: $5,120.00
After twenty (20) years of service: $5,645.00
After twenty-five (25) years of service: $6,627.00
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: Police Officers receive a uniform allowance of $132.31 per pay period. The City will reimburse members for the cost of a ballistic safety vest up to $1,150 every 5 years.
MARKSMANSHIP INCENTIVE: $16.15 per pay period, supplemental pay, for meeting the marksmanship proficiency standards established by the Police Department.
TUTITION REIMBURSEMENT: The City recognizes the value of an educated workforce and encourages employees to pursue higher education. This section provides reimbursement to unit members for tuition, e-books and textbooks for college courses leading to a job-related degree or certificate. Employees shall use their off-duty hours in the pursuit of education.
Subject to satisfaction of all criteria set forth in Article 17 for education plans approved in writing by the City after October 17, 2018, the City shall reimburse Members for the costs up to a lifetime maximum amount of $10,000 per employee. For education plans approved in writing by the City on or before October 17, 2018, the lifetime maximum shall not apply.
POST-INCENTIVE PAY: The City provides 3% over base pay for holding or attainment of Post Intermediate Certificate and 8% over base pay for holding or attainment of a Post Advanced Certificate.
BI-LINGUAL PAY: The City shall pay four percent (4%) of base pay to employees who demonstrate the ability to both understand and effectively communicate in Spanish or American Sign or another language other than English that the Police Chief deems appropriate.
To become qualified to receive this pay, an employee must be certified by the Human Resources Department after passing a certification test (an oral conversational test) established by the Human Resources Department. Employees who first become eligible for bilingual pay on or after January 1, 2022, must re-certify every three (3) years to continue to receive bilingual pay by passing the certification test.
Employees receiving this pay are required to speak the second language in the course and scope of their employment when it is necessary and may be asked to assist in translating.

OTHER SPECIAL COMPENSATION : In addition to the above mentioned special compensation, the City offers the following: Hazard and Assignment Pay and Court Assignment.
* DISCLAIMER: City paid benefits shall be as set forth in the most current version of the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between the City of Corona and the Corona Police Employees Association, which can be viewed on the City's website ( In the event of any conflict between the above summary of City paid benefits and any terms or conditions set forth in the most current version of the MOU, the terms and conditions set forth in the MOU shall control for purposes of this recruitment.
01


I acknowledge that the information provided in this job application, to include; supplemental questions, education/certification information, attachments and work history are complete and accurate and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. Please note "See Resume" is considered an incomplete response and your application will not be considered.

• Yes
• No

02


I am interested in:

• Police Officer - Academy Graduate
• Police Officer - Lateral

03


Are you at least 20.5 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04


Have you successfully completed a probationary period and/or training program as a sworn officer at another law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you currently employed with another law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

06


Please indicate the law enforcement agency where you are currently employed and/or the law enforcement agency where you successfully completed probation and/or training program. If you are applying as an academy graduate and this section does not apply, please type N/A.
07


Please select the highest level of POST certification you possess.

• POST Basic Academy Certification
• POST Basic Certification
• POST Intermediate Certification
• POST Advanced Certification
• CA POST Basic Waiver
• CA POST Basic Requalification Certificate
• I do not possess any of these.

08


Do you possess a current and valid CA Driver's License

• Yes
• No
• I possess a license from another state.

09


Please select the highest level of education you have.

• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Some College or Certificate(s)
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• I do not have education equivalent to the 12th grade.

10


Please select the field in which you were awarded your degree.

• Police Science
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Other field.
• I do not have a degree.

11


If you selected "other field" for your degree, please indicate the field below:
12


If you are successful in completing the recruitment process, you will undergo a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting, polygraph examination and credit check. NOTE: Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and extensive traffic violations. I acknowledge this requirement.

• Yes
• No

13


This recruitment requires you attach (upload) either a CA POST Basic Certificate (or California POST Basic Waiver if applicable) for Lateral Candidates or a CA POST Basic Academy Certificate for Academy-Graduate Candidates. Have you attached the required documentation to your online application?

• Yes
• No

14


Excluding juvenile convictions, arrests, detentions or court dispositions, have you ever been convicted of a felony or plead "guilty," "no contest," or been convicted of any other criminal offense, other than a minor traffic violation?

• Yes
• No

15


If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, please provide specific details for each occurrence including: 1) Date; 2) Location; 3) Charge and a description of the offense; 4) Penalty/Disposition. If this is not applicable, please type "N/A" in the box below.
16


Are you currently out on bail or on your own recognizance pending trial for a recent arrest? (Omit convictions more than two years old for violations of Cal. Health & Safety Code Sections 11357(b) for (a), 11360 (c), 11364, 11365, or 11550 as they relate to marijuana before January 1, 1976, and their statutory predecessors.)

• Yes
• No

17


Have you previously applied to a position with the City of Corona Police Department?

• Yes
• No

Required Question