Police Officer/Lateral Transfer

City of Santa Monica•Santa Monica, CA

7d•$116,004 - $143,208•Onsite

About The Position

The Santa Monica Police Department is hiring Police Officers through its lateral transfer program. Officers enforce laws, maintain order, protect life and property, prevent crime, and contribute to community welfare. The position offers varied assignments in a high-activity coastal community, along with training and career development opportunities. Police Officers receive technical supervision from a Police Sergeant or a higher-level sworn classification and may provide technical supervision to non-sworn personnel. Officers patrol by vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, horse, all-terrain or beach vehicle, and on foot. They respond to calls and emergencies, assist the public, investigate incidents, make arrests, direct traffic, and appear in court. The role involves ongoing training and maintaining proficiency with firearms and other police equipment. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in varied weather and conditions and requires availability for weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call work, and overtime. The posted Police Officer salary range is $116,004 to $143,208 across five steps. Additional compensation may include education and bilingual pay, uniform allowance, holiday pay, longevity pay, and assignment-related or overtime incentives. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a flexible spending account, retirement plans, vacation and sick leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Completion of a California P.O.S.T.-approved police academy.
At least one year of full-time, paid experience as a sworn peace officer with an organized local government agency.
Currently employed as a sworn peace officer in California.
Possession of a valid Class C driver license.
Possession of a regular Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate.
Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien eligible for and having applied for U.S. citizenship; resident aliens must obtain citizenship within three years from the application date.
Upon hire, be a non-user of tobacco products.
Pass an extensive background investigation and have no conviction for a felony or a misdemeanor involving domestic violence.
Maintain California residency and live within a 95-mile radius of the Santa Monica Police Department.
Maintain a qualifying shooting-range score established by the Santa Monica Police Department.
Follow written and oral instructions and applicable safety rules and regulations.
Make decisions under pressure, including in life-threatening situations.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing; respond tactfully to public inquiries and provide effective customer service.
Work sensitively with issues affecting residents, guests, and visitors, including culturally diverse populations, and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
Read, write, and communicate at an appropriate level and assess situations to determine an appropriate course of action.
Successfully complete the selection process, including an oral interview, background investigation, and pre-appointment medical examination, treadmill stress test, and drug screen.

Responsibilities

Patrol assigned areas in vehicles, on bicycles, motorcycles, horses, all-terrain or beach vehicles, and on foot to prevent crime and enforce laws and ordinances.
Maintain law and order, answer inquiries, assist the public, respond to requests for police services, and take appropriate action.
Investigate offenses, collisions, and other incidents and prepare reports.
Make arrests, transport arrestees and prisoners, issue citations, and serve warrants and subpoenas.
Direct traffic and appear and testify in court, both on and off duty.
Observe and report hazards, abandoned or damaged vehicles or property, and malfunctions of city-owned equipment.
Practice and maintain proficiency in firearms and other police weapons and equipment.
Attend training courses required by P.O.S.T. and the Chief of Police.
Analyze recurring patrol and specialized problems or hazards with supervisors, peers, and service clientele, and participate in developing long-term resolutions to law-enforcement problems and issues.
Respond to calls for police service, major traffic collisions, and other emergencies.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Choice of 12 CalPERS medical plans; the City pays 89% of the premium for employees and eligible dependents.
Cash-in-lieu payment for employees who waive medical coverage because of a spouse’s coverage.
Dental insurance premiums fully paid by the City for employees and eligible dependents.
Vision insurance premiums fully paid by the City for employees and eligible dependents.
Flexible spending account for qualifying health and dependent-care expenses.
Employee assistance program premiums fully paid by the City for employees and household members.
CalPERS retirement plan; employees are vested after five years.
Voluntary 457(b) supplemental retirement plan.
Monthly City contribution to a retiree trust for eligible separated employees to reimburse healthcare premiums.
Vacation leave and opportunities to cash out accrued vacation.
Sick leave and an annual sick-leave cash-out opportunity under the applicable formula.
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year for eligible full-time employees who have passed probation.
Education incentive pay for qualifying P.O.S.T. certificates or degrees.
Bilingual pay.
Uniform allowance.
Holiday pay or pay in lieu of holidays.
Longevity pay.
Additional compensation opportunities, including K9, overtime, FTO, film assignments, call-back pay, telephone-call pay, wellness hour, military leave, paid parental leave, bereavement leave, FMLA, personal-leave cash-out, and employee parking.