FullTime Police Officers

Job Type: Full Time
Department: Police
Police Officer - Lateral
In addition to a competitive salary, CalPERS Retirement and a generous benefits package this position offers opportunities for special assignments including K9, Hostage Negotiation, FTO, Traffic Motorcycle Officers, SRO, Gang Enforcement Team, Investigations and SWAT. There are also opportunities for career advancement and department funded training opportunities.
Hiring Bonus and Incentives :

• $10,000 signing bonus upon successful hiring process
• $Vacation accrual rate that matches the total years of service as a Police Officer
• A bank of 80 hours of vacation leave upon successful completion of the Field Training Program

Have successfully completed your Field Training program in your current agency.
Uniform Pay: 1.5% of Step 5 of Police Officer annual salary
Bilingual Pay: up to $200 per month
Field Training Officer, Traffic Officer, Detective, K-9 Officer: 5% as assigned
Shift Differential: 3% if assigned to swing shift, 5% if assigned to graveyard shift
CalPERS Retirement: 3% at 55 for "classic" members, 2.7% at 57 for new members.
Dental/Vision/EAP/Life/LTD Insurance: paid 100% by City
Holiday Pay: 156 hours per year
Compensatory Time Off Bank: earn hours at 1.5 times actual hours worked up to 240 hours
Vacation Time: earn 80-200 hours per year depending on years of service as a Police Officer
Cash in Lieu of Medical/Dental Benefits: receive 50% of Kaiser Bay Area premium and Dental premium as cash payment (with proof of other insurance for employee and eligible dependents)
For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website and look at the and .
#Diversity is an integral part of our organizational identity. Inclusion is the way we treat and perceive our differences. Equity is treating all our employees fairly and acknowledging that everyone has value. This drives our innovation, motivation and connects us even closer to our community.
Police Department Petaluma Police Department is dedicated to providing the best law enforcement services to the community and it prides itself on community involved programs. The Police Department staffing includes 84.5 full time employees, including one Chief, one Deputy Chief, four Lieutenants, nine Sergeants, forty-seven Officers, and other support staff. In addition, the department has three K-9 Officers, Traffic Unit, Motorcycle Patrol, SWAT Team, Investigations Unit, FTO Program, and Reserve Community Service Officer Program (Volunteer). The Petaluma Police Department is proactive in Community Oriented Policing Philosophy.
Summary Perform a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, and provision of information and assistance to the public; perform special assignments in areas such as traffic patrol, K-9 program, and gang detail.
Class Characteristics General supervision is provided by the Police Sergeant; responsibilities may include the indirect supervision of officers and/or support staff.
This is the working level class in law enforcement, performing all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve the normal scope of peace officer situations. Incumbents may be assigned to patrol, traffic, juvenile, crime prevention or other police-related functions. This class is distinguished from uniformed civilian police-related classes by the responsibility and authority associated with designation as a sworn peace officer under the laws of the state. It is further distinguished from the Police Sergeant class in that the latter is a first-line supervisor responsible for assigned officers and other support staff.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and demands.
respond to suspicious activities and answer emergency calls for service; enforce state, local, and federal laws and ordinances; pursue and apprehend suspects and request assistance as required.
oversee collection and preservation of physical evidence; Prepare and document cases, complete reports and records, and prepare and maintain other logs and records.
provide emergency aid and assistance to incapacitated persons and request additional response; provide information, directions, and other services and assistance to the public; testify in court, as subpoenaed; Direct, instruct, train, and supervise recruit officers in areas of traffic enforcement, radar operation, DUI enforcement, and basic traffic accident investigation.
Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
Learn the principles, practices, procedures, laws and ordinances, terminology, and operation of equipment used in law enforcement and crime prevention and investigation.

Equivalent to graduation from high school and completion of a recognized police academy.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.
certification and maintain firearms qualification.
Candidates being considered for selection will undergo a thorough background investigation, including by not limited to personal history, employment, education, military, State of California Department of Justice fingerprint search of records, DMV driving record, etc. Prior to appointment, candidates must also successfully complete a Police Chief interview, pre-employment medical examination, a drug screen, and a psychological evaluation. All statements made on application materials must be correct and will be subject to investigation and verification.
The City of Petaluma offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive benefit package including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, etc. For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website:
Have you successfully completed the Field Training Office program in your current agency?
If you answered no to either question above your application will not be processed. However, you may apply for Police Officer - POST Graduate. Please describe why you are specifically interested in working for the Petaluma Police Department.
If you are successful in completing the testing process, you will undergo a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting and a polygraph examination. Your record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. After a conditional job offer is made, you must pass a medical examination, drug screen, and psychological suitability examination.