Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)

City of La Mesa • La Mesa, CA

18d

About The Position

The City of La Mesa is hiring Police Officers for lateral transfer or academy graduate candidates. Law enforcement experience or graduation from a police academy is required. The La Mesa Police Department serves the community with a commitment to service, honor, integrity, and professionalism. Officers may work in assignments including patrol, field training, investigations, motor officer, school resource officer, special investigations, street team, honor guard, and the Special Response Team.

Officers patrol the City, respond to criminal and public-service calls, conduct investigations, enforce laws and traffic regulations, make arrests, prepare reports, testify in court, and work with residents and other agencies. Depending on assignment, officers may perform traffic collision investigations, investigative or undercover work, field training, or school-based law enforcement and prevention duties.

The City offers lateral-candidate hiring incentives of up to $15,000, subject to the stated service, performance, training, and POST certification conditions. Additional compensation and benefits opportunities include educational POST incentive pay, bilingual pay, tuition reimbursement, a computer loan program, and a competitive benefits package. Employment is contingent on successfully completing a medical evaluation, psychological evaluations, and a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination. The medical evaluation includes an alcohol/drug screen.

Requirements

• Must be at least 20-1/2 years old when submitting the application.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien eligible for and having applied for citizenship.
• High school graduation, passage of the GED, or a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
• Lateral candidates must have experience as a sworn peace officer in California or equivalent experience.
• Lateral candidates must possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate, California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate, or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver Certificate.
• Academy graduate candidates must have graduated from a California P.O.S.T.-approved police academy and possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate.
• Applicants enrolled in a P.O.S.T.-approved academy and within three months of graduation at the time of application may be considered; proof of academy enrollment must be submitted with the online application.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical evaluation, psychological evaluations, and thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination; the medical evaluation includes an alcohol/drug screen.
• Candidates invited to the examination process must complete an oral interview and written exercise with La Mesa Police Department staff.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas by vehicle, on foot, or by other means to preserve law and order, prevent and detect crime, enforce traffic laws and ordinances, and issue warnings and citations.
• Respond to calls involving protection of life and property, enforcement of laws, public service, accidents, traffic hazards, crimes, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, animal control, and other incidents.
• Investigate incidents; determine whether crimes have occurred; identify, collect, preserve, process, photograph, and book evidence; and locate and interview victims and witnesses and identify and question suspects.
• Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants, apprehend and arrest offenders, and manage people under the influence or potentially hostile situations.
• Direct traffic and provide traffic and crowd control at fires, emergencies, special events, and public disturbances.
• Maintain relationships with the public, serve as a liaison and public relations officer, and provide intelligence information to department personnel as appropriate.
• Coordinate and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies, including providing mutual aid when requested.
• Participate in ongoing training in defensive driving, apprehension and arrest, investigations, and general law enforcement skills.
• Perform administrative and support duties, attend meetings, prepare news releases, and maintain and calibrate specialized equipment, including preliminary alcohol screening devices.
• Prepare activity, arrest, incident, investigative, and case reports.
• Testify in courts and hearings, prepare and present evidence, and respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
• Answer public questions about laws, procedures, and department activities.
• Assist with receiving, searching, booking, fingerprinting, and transporting prisoners.
• When assigned, make public presentations, promote crime prevention, and serve as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools.
• When assigned to the Traffic Bureau as a Collision Investigator Motorcycle Officer, patrol by motorcycle, enforce traffic laws, use radar, assist motorists, investigate collisions, coordinate event traffic, conduct special enforcement details, and maintain the motorcycle.
• When assigned to investigations, conduct detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, persons and property, vice, gaming, and narcotics; perform undercover and surveillance activities; manage evidence and property; execute warrants; prepare reports; and handle assigned licensing and registration enforcement.
• When assigned as a Master Officer or Field Training Officer, train new recruits and lateral officers, document progress, prepare evaluations, and serve as acting field supervisor when assigned.
• When assigned as a C.R.U. or School Resource Officer, provide law enforcement, counseling, and instruction related to drug abuse prevention at assigned schools; supervise truancy sweeps and school security; and assist with juvenile enforcement details.
• Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

• Up to $15,000 hiring incentive bonus for lateral candidates, subject to the specified milestones and POST certification conditions.
• Educational POST incentive pay.
• Bilingual pay.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Computer loan program.
• Competitive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED