Police Officer - Lateral

Opportunity The City of Santa Maria is inviting applications for the position of Police Officer, a full‑time, individual contributor role that ensures public safety and promotes community trust. Lateral Incentives (as of August 2021) $20,000 hiring incentive ($10k at time of hire / $5k upon completion of FTP / $5k upon successful completion of probation, 12 months) Relocation incentive for candidates outside of the area Credit for full years of service with the most recent POST‑recognized agency (for vacation accrual purposes) PERS retirement 3% at 55 (for personnel coming from another PERS agency) 4/10 plan for sworn personnel Preloaded 80 hours vacation upon hire Preloaded 80 hours sick time upon hire 7% Longevity Pay for employees with ten (10) years of sworn law enforcement service Responsibilities Perform law‑enforcement and crime‑prevention work Control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic laws Conduct security patrols, first aid, detection, investigations, and arrests of persons involved in crimes or misconduct Carry out duties in conformance with local, state and federal laws and ordinances Patrol city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas Maintain good physical condition and safely drive a vehicle under all conditions Use firearms and other weapons safely and accurately Handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance Respond to emergency radio calls; investigate accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law‑enforcement action including interrogations, evidence preservation, etc. Conduct follow‑up investigations; prepare cases and testify in court proceedings Prepare a variety of reports Undertake community‑oriented police work; assist citizens with matters such as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug‑abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc. Carry out other related projects and duties as assigned Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance Qualifications / Experience Ideally, one year of recent law‑enforcement experience (preferably in California) Graduation from high school An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as federal, state and local laws and ordinances related to arrest, rules of evidence and preservation and presentation of evidence; community‑oriented policing; police procedures; communication skills; Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent); use of computers and other office equipment effectively Desired licensing: P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate Conditions of Employment Possession of a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record; meet City liability requirements to drive for City business Complete a background investigation, including polygraph, medical and psychological exam Meet physical requirements including mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity; attend pre‑employment physical agility test Provide reasonable accommodations for qualified disabilities on a case‑by‑case basis Submit a Department of Motor Vehicles printout summarizing driving record covering the last 30 days from the closing date of this recruitment upon hire Possess a bank account for direct deposit of bi‑weekly pay upon hire Produce original documents upon hire for E‑Verify and I‑9 verification Required Submittals Cover letter Résumé POST Basic Law Enforcement Certificate Important Notes Individuals who have previously applied for the Police Officer position with the City of Santa Maria and failed any examination pertaining to the selection process within the past twelve months are not eligible to reapply. Selected candidates will be called for an oral interview; the City of Santa Maria is a participant in the E‑Verify program through the Department of Homeland Security. #J-18808-Ljbffr