Police Officer - Lateral or Academy Graduate

Salary : $88,596.00 - $113,064.00 Annually
Location : City of Grover Beach Police Department, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 10.2025
Department: Police Department - Sworn
Opening Date: 10/21/2025


Description
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE PREVIOUS POLICE EXPERIENCE OR HAVE COMPLETED THE POLICE ACADEMY AND OBTAINED A P.O.S.T. CERTIFICATE.

INCENTIVES AVAILABLE:
UP TO 7.5% MAX EDUCATION INCENTIVE
UP TO $11,000 HIRING INCENTIVE
UP TO $5,000 RELOCATION INCENTIVE
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAY 5% (WHEN AVAILABLE)
ON DUTY WELLNESS TIME AND ACCESS TO FAMILY GYM
DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, performs tasks and duties related to the protection of public health, safety and welfare, and the enforcement of applicable federal, state, and local laws; provides traffic enforcement and control; carries out special assignments in a particular phase of police work or administration; performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Police Officer is the working level class performing the full scope of assigned law enforcement duties and responsibilities under general supervision. This class is distinguished from the next higher class in that the latter is a Police Sergeant or higher ranking officer. A Police Officer may also serve in a special assignment capacity.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
Receives general supervision from a Police Sergeant or higher ranking officer, depending upon assignment. Technical and functional support may be provided by a Senior Police Officer. May provide technical/training support for assigned officers, special programs, or when assigned as Field Training Officer or Senior Police Officer.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)

• Patrols assigned areas by car, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot; performs crime suppression and prevention activities; answers special calls; conducts initial and follow-up investigations; interviews victims, complainants and witnesses; answers complaints, including domestic disturbances, health code, and local ordinance violations; performs surveillance activities; conducts chemical, drug, and alcohol testing; investigates suspicious circumstances.

• Enforces traffic laws; controls and directs traffic when necessary; performs crowd control; operates handheld and stationary radar devices; assists in crime prevention activities and the control of juvenile delinquency; serves search warrants and subpoenas; administers CPR and first aid in cases of emergency; issues citations and makes arrests; transports, books, and secures, directly or indirectly, the care and custody of detained persons.

• May be temporarily assigned special duties when appointed by the Chief of Police, such as Detective, Field Training Officer, DARE, Traffic, or Senior Police Officer.

• Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigation of crimes against persons and property or coordinates these activities with a Police Detective; collects, preserves, maintains, and processes evidence; takes written statements; prepares required reports and maintains investigative records; serves warrants and subpoenas; testifies in court in connection with prosecution of offenders; contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies as warranted.

• Conducts property and building checks for burglary and other criminal activity; responds to questions, concerns, and requests for service from the general public; provides information as appropriate and resolves complaints.

• May serve as a Detective; independently reviews cases to investigate; coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigation of crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming, and narcotics violations; performs undercover and surveillance activities; conducts registration and tracking of sex offenders; collects, preserves, and maintains evidence and property.

• Trains and assists less experienced personnel as assigned; may serve as a Field Training Officer, officer-in-charge, or in a variety of special program areas.

• May serve as a Senior Police Officer that leads other police officers in their daily activities verifying the work of others for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards, specifications and policies. May serve as a Watch Commander for a patrol shift or special assignment detail as needed.

• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS: (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)
Education and/or Experience :
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a Police Officer . Typically, a Police Officer would possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior experience in law enforcement and an associate's degree are highly desirable.
License/Certificate :
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license prior to appointment. Possession of a certificate of completion of a Basic Police Academy certified by California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) is required prior to appointment as a Police Officer. Sworn employees must be in possession of a current and valid California POST Basic Certificate or have the ability to make application for Proof of Eligibility within 10 days of appointment, pursuant to Penal Code Section 13510.01. Sworn Employees whose California POST Certification or Proof of Eligibility is revoked by the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board shall be ineligible for employment, or continued employment, as a sworn employee with the City of Grover Beach. Sworn employees who do not possess a California POST Basic Certificate or a Proof of Eligibility do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, stooping, and lifting in excess of 50 pounds, and occasionally over 100 pounds, in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires both near and far vision and acute hearing. Additionally, incumbents may work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold. The position entails working in hazardous situations and may involve abusive persons, potential physical violence, and the potential risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens in the performance of law enforcement duties. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles under normal and emergency conditions, operate a variety of law enforcement equipment including firearms, work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions, often work with constant interruptions, and work flexible hours, including weekends and split shifts. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS: (The following are a representative sample of the KAS's necessary to perform essential duties of the position.)
Knowledge of :
Operations and standard operating procedures of a Police Department; principles of crime prevention and suppression; modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, and investigation; applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations, including the California Penal Code, Government Code, Vehicle Code, and other related regulations and court decisions; technical aspects of law enforcement activities, including juvenile programs, record keeping, automated records systems, search and seizure, code violations, and care and custody of persons and property; care, maintenance and operation of a variety of law enforcement radio and personal equipment; methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments; police officer procedures, practices, and equipment; basic principles of law enforcement information systems, including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling, and grammar; occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to :
Take a proactive approach to problem solving; demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the department and community; attend work, as scheduled, on a regular basis, to effectively perform the position's required duties and responsibilities; as well as practice and exemplify the Department's Vision for Service. Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and reach sound conclusions; work under pressure, analyze information, and act quickly and calmly in emergency and non-emergency situations; observe and accurately remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places; function with a significant degree of independence; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations; elicit information from upset and irate people; follow written and oral directions; administer first aid; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Skill to :

Safely and effectively operate a variety of law enforcement equipment, firearms, and a police vehicle in emergency situations; operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications.
Rev 12-2022
Retirement
Non Safety Members - Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula. Employees who are current members of CalPERS (Classic Members); who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS agency and employment with the city will be enrolled in 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula. All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.

Safety Members - Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2.7% @ 57 benefit formula. Employees who are current members of CalPERS (Classic Members); who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS agency and employment with the city will be enrolled in 3% @ 55 benefit formula. All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS. Classic members pay 12%


Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
During the term of this agreement only, the City shall pay 100% of the employee only portion of health insurance premiums for the least expensive plan offered by CALPERS.. Additional amounts are paid by the city of $503.75 for employee plus one and $831.25 for full family. Dental and Vision are paid by the employee.

Life Insurance
Covered at 100% by the City.

Deferred Compensation
The City offers a choice of two deferred compensation providers. City match of up to $130.00/month on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Social Security
City participates in Social Security.

Short Term Disability
Paid by employee by payroll deduction.

Long Term Disability
City Paid.

Vacation
Accrued at two weeks (80 hours) and increases based on years of service.

Sick Leave
Accrues 96 hours per year to a maximum of 2,000 hours.

Holidays
112 hours equivalent paid holidays per year.

Employee Assistance Program
City paid premium.

Uniform Allowance
$1,000 per year for those required to wear a uniform.

Education Incentive
Education incentive pay provided after six months employment per Agreement with Police Officer's Association MOU.

Education Reimbursement Program
Up to $2,000 in education expenses is available per fiscal year.

Bilingual Incentive
$80 per month is availability to a limited number of employees upon certification of fluency in Spanish, Tagalog, or other language of benefit for the City.