LATERAL POLICE OFFICER

The City of Laguna Beach seeks men and women interested in continuing their career in the field of law enforcement in a beautiful beach side community.

Bring your years of expertise and training to the Laguna Beach Police Department. Salary will be determined based upon qualifications and experience and you will be enrolled in the P.E.R.S. "Classic" safety retirement formula of 3% @ 55.

Applications are currently being accepted continuously. Interviews will be scheduled as reasonable numbers of qualified applicants apply.

TESTING FOR A LATERAL POSITION:

To be considered a Lateral Officer your application will include experience as a sworn peace officer in the State of California, including the completion of a probationary period with acceptable performance. A California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver will not be accepted in lieu of current sworn peace officer experience in the State of California.

Those selected for testing will undergo a physical agility test, and with successful completion be invited to a structured panel interview and writing exercise with the Laguna Beach Police Department.

At the successful completion of all testing a qualified candidate will be placed on an employment eligibility list and be considered for hire.

Opportunities for Advancement: Qualified candidates are eligible for promotion to the position of Police Corporal after one year of employment.

The appointing authority will review all job related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions.

General probation for all City of Laguna Beach employees is one year.

The Police Officer classification is distinguished from higher-level classifications of the Police Sergeant and Police Lieutenant positions, which are supervisory and administrative positions. The incumbent is expected to perform and respond quickly and correctly in emergency situations and make field decisions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures in any given law enforcement assignment.

Examples of Duties:

The duties and responsibilities of the job include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:
• Patrols assigned district by automobile, motorcycle/bicycle, ATV, or on foot in order to prevent and detect crime activity and enforce laws, regulations and ordinances.
• Responds to radio communications, computer prompts or citizen requests and investigates reported disorders, observed violations, and related incidents.
• Notes and reports traffic problems abandoned or damaged vehicles and other safety hazards.
• Issues verbal warnings or written citations for parking, moving, and municipal violations.
• Investigates traffic accidents and directs and controls the flow of traffic at the scene of accidents, signal failures, special events, natural and unnatural catastrophes in adverse weather conditions.
• Investigates and prepares reports on complaints, accidents, offenses and damages to property; interviews witnesses and suspects.
• Restores order and maintains peace at public gatherings or in conflict situations.
• Collects and preserves physical evidence in accordance with department policy and laws.
• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime activity.
• Provides information and assistance to the public in a respectful manner.
• Pursues and apprehends suspects.
• Makes arrests and advises suspects of rights.
• Prepares crime and arrest reports and documents other situations such as traffic accidents and civil disputes.
• Appears in Court to testify regarding arrests or other law enforcement activity and case evidence and civil cases.
• Searches and transports prisoners.
• Completes booking (e.g., digital camera, fingerprinting).
• Administers emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons until medical personnel are present. Participates in classroom and field training exercises.
• May perform the duties of Acting Police Sergeant or Field Training Officer as directed.
• Treats Citizens, suspects and fellow employees with respect.

The preceding tasks have been provided as examples of the type of work performed by positions within this job classification of Police Officer. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.
 

Minimum Qualifications: Any combination demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by completion of the police academy, and classes or course work in police science (minimum of 30 college semester units required).

Experience: Must be a current sworn peace officer in the State of California. A California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver will not be accepted in lieu of current sworn peace officer experience in the State of California.

License/Certificate Requirements: The incumbent must possess a valid Class C or Class 3 California driver's license and provide evidence of an acceptable driving record. May be required to obtain a Class 4 or Class D license following hire, depending upon position assignment as a Motor Officer.

Hiring consideration will include a background security investigation, polygraph examination, pre-employment physical examination (including a drug test), and psychological screening must be passed as a condition of employment.

Also Required:

Knowledge of:

• Laws from the California Penal Code, Business and Professions Code, Health & Safety Code.
• State motor vehicle codes, traffic safety regulations and municipal ordinances.
• Police science principles.
• Police department policies, practices and procedures.
• Theories of human behavior.
• Federal and state laws, statutes, local ordinances and Court decisions governing arrest and custody of prisoners, search and seizure, rules of evidence, and privacy rights.
• First aid techniques.
• Safety rules and procedures.
• Criminal investigation, crime prevention principles and techniques.
• Self defense methods and physical restraint techniques.
• Radio codes and communications procedures.
• Disease control methods and techniques.
• Community related problem-solving techniques.

Ability to:

• Operate a police motor vehicle skillfully and safely.
• Use firearms and other weapons.
• Read and interpret State Motor Vehicle Codes and traffic safety laws and local ordinances.
• Accurately recall the circumstances under which criminal, civil or traffic violations occurred for testimony purposes.
• Obtain knowledge of City geography, street layouts and traffic and crime patterns.
• Read and interpret maps to determine locations of calls.
• Work effectively in team response situations.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in conveying commands.
• Operate two-way radio following proper communications procedures.
• Maintain alertness and concentration in emergency situations.
• Accurately recall names, faces and details regarding crime incidents.
• Follow proper safety rules and procedures.
• Work under variable weather conditions.
• Properly use tools to gain access to buildings.
• Communicate and work cooperatively with co-workers, supervision, and public and private representatives.
• Relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political, racial and ethnic backgrounds and age groups.
• Understand and carry out oral or written commands and instructions.
• Complete clear and accurate police reports and work activity records.
• May operate an audio or video recorder during field enforcement work.
• Operate computers.
• Operate and make independent decisions without direct supervision.
• Make decisions without undue delay in emergency situations.
• Thoroughly investigate field assignments as reflected in complete reports.