Police Officer - Lateral

City of Downey•Downey, CA

22h•$134,687 - $142,816•Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment is for a Lateral Police Officer position. Earning potential varies based on education and years of service. For example, with an AA degree or Intermediate POST Certificate and 5 to 9 years of service, the annual earning potential is $134,687.27. With a BA/BS degree or Advanced CA POST Certificate and 10 to 19 years of service, the annual earning potential is $142,815.61. These calculations are based on step E. This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of applications have been received and may close without prior notice. Lateral Hiring Incentives include a $25,000.00 hiring incentive, carry-over of accumulated sick leave up to 360 hours, carry-over of accumulated vacation up to 80 hours, vacation accrual rate based on prior experience, and bilingual pay. The City offers competitive benefits such as City-paid medical insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, and a "3/12" work schedule. Education Incentive Pay is an additional percentage of base pay for an Associate's degree or Intermediate CA POST Certificate (7%), and for a Bachelor's degree or Advanced CA POST Certificate (10.5%). Merit Longevity pay increases are available after 5, 10, 20, and 25 years of service. Full-time years of service as a certified Peace Officer with another CA P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency apply to longevity after the initial probationary period. Retirement benefits are in accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). New hires enrolled after January 1, 2013, will be under the 2.7% @ age 57 formula with a member contribution of 12.25%. Laterals with active classic CALPERS membership or eligible reciprocity will qualify for the 3% @ age 55 retirement formula with a member contribution of 9%.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Completion of a California (CA) Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy.
Current employment as a full-time, paid peace officer in a CA P.O.S.T. approved agency in good standing.
21 years of age at time of appointment.
Height in proportion to weight.
Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes and free from color blindness.
Hearing within normal limits.
Legally authorized to work in the United States.
For consideration in lieu of current CA Basic P.O.S.T. certification, an applicant must be currently enrolled in the CA P.O.S.T. Waiver Process. Proof of acceptance in the Waiver process must be submitted at the time of application submission.
Good command of basic grammar and written communication.
Knowledge of use and care of firearms.
Knowledge of Federal, California state, and local laws applicable to law enforcement.
Knowledge of police department equipment, practices, and procedures.
Knowledge of proper search and seizure and arrest procedures.
Knowledge of geography of the City of Downey and the location of important buildings and streets.
Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques.
Ability to observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places.
Ability to think and act quickly in emergencies and judge situations and people accurately.
Ability to effectively analyze problems for an appropriate response under emergency or stress situations.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to understand and interpret laws and regulations.
Ability to prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
Ability to learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to meet and maintain the physical requirements established by the Downey Police Department.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License and possession of an acceptable driving record and the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout the course of employment in the position.

Nice To Haves

AA degree OR Intermediate POST Certificate
BA/BS degree OR Advanced CA POST Certificate
Carry-over of the accumulated sick leave balance at separation from the former agency, up to 360 hours.
Carry-over of the accumulated vacation balance at separation from the former agency, up to 80 hours.
Vacation accrual rate based on prior years of Lateral Police Officer experience and in accordance with the current Memorandum of Understanding between the Downey Police Officers' Association and the City of Downey.
Bilingual Pay in the amount of $1,820 per year.
An additional 7% of base pay for an Associate's degree or equivalent units (60) OR Intermediate California (CA) P.O.S.T. Certificate.
An additional 10.5% for a Bachelor's degree or equivalent units (124) OR Advanced California P.O.S.T. Certificate.
Employees become eligible for additional merit longevity pay increases after 5 years at 2.75%, 10 year at 5.5%, at 20 years of service, 8.25%, and at 25 years of service, 13%.
Full-time years of service as a certified Peace Officer with another CA P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency shall apply to longevity as though earned with the City of Downey after the initial probationary period has been completed.
Laterals with active classic CALPERS membership or classic membership in another California retirement plan that provides eligible reciprocity with CalPERS, will qualify for the 3% @ age 55 retirement formula.

Responsibilities

Perform law enforcement and crime prevention work.
Enforce State and local traffic regulations.
Perform investigative work.
Participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs.
Patrol assigned area in patrol car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, and to enforce traffic regulations.
Respond to calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, robberies, disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies, and take necessary police action.
Make arrests.
Take charge of, and guide and direct the work of other law enforcement personnel in various situations until relieved by a supervisor officer.
Conduct motor vehicle accident investigations.
Provide first aid for injured persons, and take safeguards to prevent further accidents.
Interview principals and witnesses.
Take written statements and examine conditions of accident scene.
Clear or direct clearing of obstructions and wreckage.
Investigate crimes against persons and property.
Interview victims and witnesses.
Search for, evaluate and secure/collect evidence.
Arrest suspected perpetrator(s).
Investigate complaints involving juveniles, including reports of child neglect and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors.
Check business establishments and public places known to be frequented by juveniles.
Arrest juvenile and adult offenders.
Process warrants and apprehend or assist in the apprehension of wanted persons by court orders or actions in criminal cases.
Maintain knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, rules of evidence for criminal cases, crime prevention techniques, current investigation techniques, traffic control techniques, care and custody of persons and property.
Prepare and submit required reports.
Provide assistance, information, and directions to the public.

Benefits

$25,000.00 hiring incentive ($8,333.33 at completion of the Officer's field training/ $8,333.33 upon successful completion of probation/$8,333.33 at the Officer's two - year anniversary with the Downey Police Department.
Carry-over of the accumulated sick leave balance at separation from the former agency, up to 360 hours.
Carry-over of the accumulated vacation balance at separation from the former agency, up to 80 hours.
Vacation accrual rate based on prior years of Lateral Police Officer experience and in accordance with the current Memorandum of Understanding between the Downey Police Officers' Association and the City of Downey.
Bilingual Pay in the amount of $1,820 per year.
City paid medical insurance coverage up to the Kaiser (HMO Plan) family rate currently at $1,962.06 per month.
Tuition reimbursement program that covers up to the Cal State rates.
"3/12" work schedule.
Education Incentive Pay: An additional 7% of base pay for an Associate's degree or equivalent units (60) OR Intermediate California (CA) P.O.S.T. Certificate.
Education Incentive Pay: An additional 10.5% for a Bachelor's degree or equivalent units (124) OR Advanced California P.O.S.T. Certificate.
Merit Longevity: Employees become eligible for additional merit longevity pay increases after 5 years at 2.75%, 10 year at 5.5%, at 20 years of service, 8.25%, and at 25 years of service, 13%.
Retirement: In accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), new hires enrolled after January 1, 2013 will be under the 2.7% @ age 57 formula as a new member to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
This enrollment will require a member contribution of 12.25% of reportable earnings.
Laterals with active classic CALPERS membership or classic membership in another California retirement plan that provides eligible reciprocity with CalPERS, will qualify for the 3% @ age 55 retirement formula.
This formula will require a member contribution of 9% of reportable earnings.