Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer
Job Posting for Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer at City of Santa Cruz
The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Lateral and Academy Graduate candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.
Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are over 90 sworn officers assigned to such areas as patrol: traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigation, and undercover task force assignments. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Recruitment #23-PD-01 (Applications accepted continuously for the academy graduate or lateral level.)
To apply , please submit the following required application materials:
- Application - online application preferred; Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out application form completely. Paper application materials will be accepted only through the mail at this time.
- Response to supplemental questions
- A POST certificate or POST academy completion certificate (see Required POST Certification section below) must be attached to your online application or your application will be screened as incomplete.
- Submit by email to hr@cityofsantacruz.com or in person your City of Santa Cruz SWORN - Personal History Statement. Address: City of Santa Cruz Human Resources Division, 809 Center St., Room 6, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.
- Copies of transcripts or certificate/s of your educational degrees must be attached as verification in order to qualify for Educational Bonus.
PAY INCENTIVES
For the purpose of this hiring incentive, new lateral Police Officers are defined as Police Officers currently employed by a law enforcement agency who have successfully completed a probationary period of at least twelve (12) months.EDUCATIONAL BONUS: New Police Officers who have a two-year college degree (AA or AS) will receive a $2,500 education bonus, distributed in the 1/3 payments described above.
New Police Officers who have a four-year college degree (BA or BS) will receive a $5,000 education bonus and distributed in the 1/3 payments described above. If they also have an AA or AS, they will receive only the higher incentive.
CITY OF SANTA CRUZ EMPLOYEE REFERRAL BONUS: City employees who refer a candidate for Police Officer will receive a recruitment bonus of $5,000 - 1/4 upon successful hiring of candidate, and 3/4 upon successful completion of probation. Multiple employees may be named by a single candidate; bonus will be evenly divided. Employee/s name/s must be listed on the candidate's application prior to submission.
EDUCATIONAL REIMBURSEMENT: Police Officer candidates are eligible to be reimbursed up to $500 per fiscal year for tuition and books upon successful completion of City approved college or university courses or other courses directly related to the candidate's job duties, with prior approval of the Chief of Police.
EDUCATION INCENTIVE: Police Officers are eligible for the following education incentive compensation: AA/AS degree or Intermediate POST Certificate - 2.5% differential of base pay per month, or BA/BS degree or Advanced POST Certificate - 5% differential of base pay per month.
BILINGUAL PAY: For bilingual speaking skills, Police Officers are eligible for 5% differential of base pay per month, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the approval of the Director of Human Resources.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST
An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability.DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record. Applicants with more than two moving violations or responsibility for more than two vehicle accidents in the past three years will be disqualified. A DUI conviction within four years or any two convictions of DUI of alcohol and/or drugs shall be disqualifying.SELECTION PROCESS:
- Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for the job. (For Lateral or Academy Graduate candidates, there is no written examination or physical agility testing.)
- All candidates who pass the screening process and who have turned in all required application materials will be referred directly to the Police Department. Candidates who pass the review of their PHS will continue on to an oral panel. Candidates who pass the oral panel will go on to the polygraph step. Selected top candidates will continue on to full background investigation. Successful finalists proceed to an oral interview with the department's executive team. If a candidate receives a conditional offer, they must still pass a psychological exam and the pre-employment medical exam.
For more information about the position, contact the Police Department recruiting section at (831) 420-5801. To schedule a ride-along with an officer or tour the Police Department, go to the Police Department webpage. For application questions, email the Human Resources Department or call 831-420-5040.
(May include, but are not limited to the following):
· Patrols assigned areas in a motorized vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime and enforce State and local laws.
· Responds as dispatched to calls concerning traffic accidents, crimes, disorder and emergency situations.
· Pursues and apprehends suspects.
· Enforces traffic laws; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and controls crowds.
· Conducts initial and follow-up investigations of crimes; collects and preserves physical evidence; photographs crime scenes; questions suspects, witnesses, and victims.
· Makes arrests and transports prisoners.
· Prepares crime reports, incident reports, traffic collision reports, citations, property reports and special reports as assigned.
· Participates in the Community Awareness Program, an information program to inform citizens of police functions and crime prevention techniques.
· Provides escort or traffic control during parades, funerals and special events; coordinates with school crossing guards to assure safety.
· Prepares cases for prosecution and appears in court as a witness.
· Processes and serves warrants; serves legal papers such as subpoenas, summons writs, notices, documents.
· Collects, preserves and transports physical evidence.
· Answers questions and provides information to the public.
· Assists and cooperates with other law enforcement and public safety agencies.
· Performs related duties as assigned within the guidelines or policies of the department.
Education and Experience
· High school graduation or tested equivalent.
For Entry-Level Candidates:
· Possession of a current academy completion certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).
For Lateral Transfer Candidates:
· Possession of a current basic law enforcement certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Working knowledge:
· Laws pertaining to search and seizure, arrest and interrogation of suspects.
· Rules of evidence and basic criminal law.
· The use and care of standard police firearms.
Some knowledge:
· Techniques of criminal investigations.
· Court procedures in criminal and civil cases.
Abilities:
· Learn modern police procedures and techniques.
· Understand, interpret and apply State and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to law enforcement.
· React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action.
· Pursue, subdue and control and/or physically restrain a suspect.
· Observe and remember facts and details of incidents.
· Follow oral and written instructions.
· Learn to operate firearms safely and skillfully.
· Obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation.
· Write clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports.
· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
· Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
· Communicate verbally in a clear and effective manner.
· Deal tactfully and effectively with a wide range of different individuals and groups from the community.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
· Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights and weekends.
· Psychological suitability for police work (determined by a psychological exam as required by the California POST Commission).
· Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation which includes a polygraph examination, credit history, driving record, criminal activity, military and employment records, and character references, (in accordance with the minimum standards for employment issued by the California POST Commission).
Age/Citizenship:
· Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
· Must be a U.S. Citizen or have applied for U.S. citizenship before application for Police Officer.
Physical Condition:
· Physical health, strength, and agility necessary to meet the physical demands of police work, as determined by a physical agility test and a medical exam (based on current California POST Commission guidelines).
· Corrected vision of 20/20 for both eyes together. Uncorrected vision of 20/80 for both eyes, for those who wear glasses or hard contact lenses. There is no uncorrected vision standard for individuals who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least one year. Current POST vision guidelines must be met, including those for color, binocular, and peripheral vision.
Licenses:
· Possession of at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.
Desirable Qualifications:
· Bilingual and/or bicultural Spanish speaking.
Career Ladder:- Police Chief
- Police Deputy Chief
- Police Lieutenant
- Police Sergeant
- Police Officer
Salary.com Estimation for Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer in Santa Cruz, CA
$58,258 to $70,930
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Job openings at City of Santa Cruz
City of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
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City of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Full Time
City of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
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City of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
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