Police Officer - Lateral/Pre-Service

City of Hermosa Beach•Hermosa Beach, CA

23h

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs general field patrol duties to prevent crime, enforce law and order, and safeguard the public. Controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations. Performs specialized police work, including investigating criminal offenses and controlling juvenile-related matters, and carries out technical and administrative tasks supporting law enforcement services and activities. The position patrols assigned areas on an assigned shift, responds to dispatches and emergency calls, investigates incidents and accidents, makes arrests, serves warrants, preserves evidence, and prepares reports and cases for court. Officers may participate in specialized investigations and operations, work with a police dog, provide mutual aid, serve as a desk officer, or relieve a superior as directed. Officers may be required to respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours. The work takes place in routine peacekeeping and reactive emergency or disaster environments, with travel between locations and regular exposure to outdoor weather. The role involves public contact and potential exposure to hostile environments, noise, fumes, chemicals, and temperature extremes. Officers work various shifts, including evenings and weekends, and must meet physical and medical standards for law enforcement duties.

Requirements

Educational achievement equivalent to high school graduation.
Enrollment in or graduation from a P.O.S.T.-approved police academy.
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License with a safe driving record, or the ability to get from point to point for meetings and trainings.
Knowledge of police department operations and procedures; relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations; law enforcement and crime-prevention practices; firearms and police equipment; evidence handling; interviewing and investigative techniques; report writing; public relations; local geography; police radio procedures; office procedures and computer applications; and occupational hazards and safety practices.
Ability to understand laws, regulations, and departmental policies; think clearly and act effectively in emergencies; observe and remember details; follow oral and written directions; write clear reports; learn firearm use and care; operate specialized law enforcement equipment and office technology; interact effectively with the public; meet physical and medical standards; gather and evaluate evidence; interview people; control violent individuals and make arrests; work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and varied shifts; communicate clearly; and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to perform the physical functions of the role, including restraining individuals, prolonged walking, standing, sitting, or running, lifting and carrying varying weights, operating vehicles and specialized law enforcement tools, and speaking and hearing to exchange information.
Normal-range vision and hearing, with or without correction.
Police Officers hired after March 1, 1988, must refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time, on or off duty.

Nice To Haves

College-level coursework and specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Patrol an assigned area by police unit or on foot to identify suspicious activity, traffic violations, and disturbances.
Maintain awareness of wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress.
Issue warnings and citations and enforce traffic laws and other laws.
Respond to radio dispatches, emergency calls, complaints, accidents, hazards, and criminal or civil incidents.
Render first aid to injured or critically ill persons.
Serve warrants, make arrests, pursue offenders when necessary, and take action to protect accident and crime scenes and preserve evidence.
Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations, including interviewing victims and witnesses, locating witnesses, and checking leads.
Provide information, advice, and counsel to the public and people involved in incidents or accidents.
Direct traffic at fires, special events, and emergencies.
Assist with searches for lost children and fugitives and control of disorderly crowds, including with the aid of a police dog.
Conduct specialized investigations involving detection, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offenders.
Participate in special operations, including covert surveillance and crime suppression details.
Prepare activity logs, incident and accident reports, case reports, and materials for trial.
Investigate cases involving juveniles.
Participate in training courses and conferences.
May receive and answer complaints and dispatch calls as a desk officer.
Testify in court and at parole and DMV hearings; prepare and present evidence; respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
Conduct security checks of businesses, parks, and schools.
May provide mutual aid to outside agencies for civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or related requests.
May relieve a superior in their absence or as directed.