Location
Description
Applications are being accepted for the position of Police Officer ~ Lateral Transfer, Academy Graduate, and Academy Attendee with the City of Pacifica.
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT.
This job posting is for lateral transfer, academy graduate, and academy attendee only and NOT for entry-level applicants.
THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN.
At the City of Pacifica, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. To us, equal opportunity employment is not just about compliance, it’s about who you are, how you can help our City and who you want to be. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents.
The Pacifica Police Department is responsible for all functions related to law enforcement and crime prevention and is made up of several divisions that carry out specialized duties to help the department perform as a cohesive whole. Those divisions are Field Services, Investigations, Communications and Records. The City of Pacifica Police Officers operate at the heart of the community, ensuring the safety of those who work, live, and visit the City. Staff includes thirty-seven (37) full-time positions and (4) part-time support positions.
Together, they come together to carry out the Police Department mission …"to protect and serve the members of our community with the highest level of commitment, ethics and professionalism.”
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, to promote community order, to protect life and property, to prevent crime, to maintain order, to enforce laws, ordinances, and constitutional mandates, to do investigative work in detection of crime, to perform public service tasks, while working varying hours and shifts, and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is an entry level, sworn position serving the city of Pacifica maintaining and fostering high ethical, and professional standards within the police department and throughout the community.
Responsible for protecting life and property while enforcing the California Penal Code, California Vehicle Code and Pacifica Municipal Codes
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXECUTED
Receive general supervision from the Police Sergeant, Police Corporal, Police Captain and/or the Chief of Police.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - INCLUDING BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
- Protect life and property through patrolling assigned areas.
- To maintain law and order.
- Answer calls for service from citizens regarding criminal activity and other matters relating to the safety of the community.
- Investigate crimes through contact with victims, suspects, and witnesses collecting, processing, and storing evidence.
- Monitor traffic to prevent accidents. Enforces Vehicle Code laws and promotes traffic movement throughout the city.
- Investigate traffic accidents.
- Issues citations or warnings as appropriate.
- Give assistance to the injured.
- Make arrests.
- Issue citations or warnings as appropriate.
- Guard prisoners.
- Question suspects.
- Note and report unsafe conditions.
- Prepare evidence and appear in court.
- Search for stolen property and lost persons.
- Give information to the public regarding laws, ordinances, traffic safety, directions, and available public services.
- Document activities with complete, clear, and concise written reports and correspondence.
- Interact with social agencies, schools, families and juveniles regarding juvenile matters.
- Assist citizens, give directions, and promote community relations.
- Maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, employees, and the public.
- Maintain assigned equipment.
- Protect the life, property, public order, and constitutional rights of all community members.
- Adhere to the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Code of Ethics.
- Maintain a level of physical fitness which meets job requirements.
- Perform other duties or projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of
- Principles and practices of law enforcement services and program administration.
- Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations, and laws.
- Criminal law as it relates to the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of law violators and the collection of evidence.
- City of Pacifica streets, neighborhoods, and municipal code.
- Departmental policies and procedures
- Modern office procedures and computer equipment.
- Use of firearms and other modern police equipment and communications and information systems related to law enforcement.
Skill/Ability to
- Analyze and prioritize situations and adopt effective courses of action while giving due regard to protocols, procedures, surrounding hazards and circumstances.
- Interpret and apply city policies, procedures, rules and regulations and police department general orders.
- Establish and maintain effective community relations on both an individual and group basis.
- To read, comprehend, explain, and apply complex issues of law derived from a variety of sources to include code books, computer screens, and other printed material.
- Drive a motor vehicle under emergency conditions and to hear verbal communications at normal speaking tones via radio and telephone and verbalize succinctly prepare and write accurate and factual reports.
- Qualify in the use of firearms and defense tactics on a periodic basis.
- Remain current and meet all post guidelines.
- Write accurate, clear, concise, factual reports.
- Maintain cooperative relationships with other employees, supervisors, public officials and employees of other non-police organizations and agencies, as well as the public to be served.
- Meet and maintain POST standards.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Experience: none
Training: High school graduate or equivalent qualification, and 30 semester units from an accredited college or university desired (not required)
Certification: Must pass a comprehensive physical examination, meeting the standards established by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST)
License: Possession and maintenance of a California Class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
Minimum requirements for lateral entry officers:
- Must meet all minimum requirements for entry level officer with the exception of written and agility examination requirements.
- Must possess a POST Basic Certificate.
- A minimum of one-year satisfactory past police patrol experience within the past three years.
- Must have no record of felony criminal convictions or misdemeanor convictions that could affect credibility as a witness in a court of law.
- Vision and hearing capabilities consistent with guidelines by POST and/or the City.
- Must be of good moral character to be determined by a thorough background investigation, which will be conducted under POST guidelines.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Physical Skills
Vision adequate to operate vehicles and equipment, read instructions and follow directions, read maps and small print, detect subtle shades of color; hearing adequate to distinguish mechanical noises, converse on radio, telephone and in person at distances of up to 50 feet, and detect unusual sounds; voice volume and speech clarity to command during an emergency; body mobility adequate to operate emergency equipment and perform required duties; stamina to perform administrative functions and to meet physical and mental demands during an emergency; use of hands and fingers adequate for operation of special equipment and weapons, writing, typing and computer related functions; ability to lift heavy equipment, as needed in emergency conditions.
Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; bend, squat and kneel during inspection of crime scene or conducting building searches; climb stairs and/or ladders while in the field; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; run and walk; use telephone, and communicate through written means; continuously wear utility belt and other police equipment of 30 pounds; and intermittently carry weight of 100 pounds or less.
Ideal Candidate
Requirements in addition to a completed online application:
Lateral Transfer: Completion of POST approved Basic Academy and actively employed by a California Law Enforcement Agency as a Peace Officer within the last twelve months; minimum one year satisfactory past Police Patrol experience and possession of POST Basic Certificate. (Copy of California POST Basic Academy Certificate and POST Basic Certificate must be submitted with application).
POST Academy Graduate: Possession of a Certified POST Basic Academy Certificate of at least 800 hours issued within 3 years of submitting an application. (Copy of California POST Basic Academy Certificate must accompany application).
POST Academy Attendee: Currently enrolled in a POST Basic Academy as a “non-affiliate,” of at least 800 hours. (Letter from academy verifying current enrollment must accompany application).
Education: Graduation from High School or the equivalent with additional education at the community college level preferred.
Qualifications: Minimum 21 years of age at time of examination and must meet standards of adequate physical stature, endurance, and agility.
Licenses and Certificates:
- Possession of a California Driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, which must be maintained as a condition of employment.
*A copy of all required certifications must be submitted with the online employment application in order to be considered for these positions.
Benefits
The City's comprehensive benefits package includes:
Holidays: 13 days per year.
Vacation: From 11 to 20 days per year, depending on length of service.
Sick Leave: Accrual is one day per month, with no limit on accrual. If retiring from the City, unused sick leave may be used as service credit towards CalPERS retirement.
Retirement: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide a retirement plan that utilizes the formula of 3% @ 50 for "Classic members" or 2.7% @ 57 for "PEPRA members." Classic members contribute 9% employee contribution plus 4% employer cost share. PEPRA members contribute 13% employee contribution plus 4% employer cost share in additional to 50% of the normal cost.
Insurance: The City provides its employees with medical insurance that allows employees to purchase medical insurance through CalPERS medical benefit plans. Some plans require employee contributions. Employee with proof of qualifying health insurance coverage through another group plan may qualify for a "Health In-Lieu Payment" when declining City coverage.
The City contributes toward dental insurance plan and vision plan for employees and all eligible dependents.
The City pays premiums for:
- Life insurance benefit equal to annual salary.
- Long term disability insurance.
Deferred Compensation: The City contributes $6.69 per pay period to one of three City-offered deferred compensation plans: ICMA-RC, Nationwide Retirement Solutions, or CalPERS.
Second Language Incentive: Upon successful completion of proficiency examination, the City will pay $372 per month in addition to base salary for proficiency in Spanish, Tagalog, and Chinese.
Incentives: Career incentive of 5% for service of 5 years, as well as a salary incentive of $350 per month for those who have completed probation and hold an Intermediate P.O.S.T. certificate, or $575 per month for those who have completed probation and hold an Advanced P.O.S.T. certificate.
Education Incentive of $125 per month for those who hold an Associate's Degree, $175 per month for a Bachelor's Degree, $300 per month for a Master's Degree.
Special Instructions
Application Process
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT.
This job posting is for lateral transfer, academy graduate and academy attendee only and NOT for entry-level applicants.
To be considered for this employment opportunity, you must complete the online application along with uploading the required documentation to establish eligibility for the position. A resume may be included but does not substitute for a complete application. Applications with "see resume" as a substitution for the work experience description, those with unclear past employment information or those with missing or insufficient information to evaluate possession of minimum qualifications, will not be considered.
Calopps.org: Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders/settings or accept emails ending with calopps.org.
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Applicants may be screened to the most qualified and invited to the next step in the recruitment process which may include a panel interview. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations.
After a mutual interest has been established, the selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of any or all of the following: a polygraph examination, a thorough background investigation, a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint check, a medical exam, psychological exam, and a drug screening. Please note, a conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must be submitted to HR.
Human Resources has the right to revise this process as needed based on business needs.