Police Officer Lateral (Experienced Only)

The City of Tustin Police Department is currently seeking applicants for Police Officer Lateral, experienced only. This recruitment is open to candidates who have been employed as a Police Officer, and is conducted on a continuous basis to meet the needs of the City as vacancies occur and may close at any time.

A completed City application and a copy of your POST certificate must be submitted to be considered.

***NOTE*** Newly hired sworn police employees will be enrolled in one of the City's CalPERS Safety plans for retirement benefits. Individuals who are considered "current members" of CalPERS as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013 (e.g. enrolled in a CalPERS or reciprocal retirement plan within six months of start date) will be enrolled in the 2% at 50 plan; all other individuals will be enrolled in the 2.7% at 57 plan.

This position, under general supervision, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work in the protection of life and property. Patrols assigned areas in a radio equipped patrol vehicle or on foot; answers calls for assistance from the public; makes arrests and issues citations for violations of laws or ordinances; investigates misdemeanors and felonies; secures and preserves crime scenes and evidence for further investigation; investigates traffic accidents; conducts interviews with victims, witnesses and suspects; testifies in court, often during off-duty hours; provides information to the general public; escorts and transports prisoners; prepares comprehensive reports; safeguards life and property; renders first aid to the injured in emergency situations and other related duties as assigned. Applicants must be available to work day, evening and late night/early morning shifts, weekends and holidays.

1. Physical Agility
2. Oral Interview
3. Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination
4. Police Chief's Interview
5. Psychological and Medical Examinations (upon conditional offer of employment)

Candidates successfully completing all components of the selection process will be placed on an employment eligibility list from which hires may be made. The eligible list is valid for one year. The duration of the selection process typically lasts 9 – 12 months. 

***IMPORTANT*** A comprehensive background investigation and polygraph will be conducted on any eligible persons considered for hire. Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may be grounds for disqualification. A pre-employment medical, psychological evaluation AND a drug screen will be conducted upon a conditional offer of employment.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrols, either in a vehicle or on foot, an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answers calls for police services; enforces City, county, and state laws; makes field contacts and completes forms; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents

• Responds to calls related to traffic incidents and other emergencies; observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws

• Makes arrests as necessary; serves warrants and subpoenas; conducts searches and seizures involving people, vehicles and structures; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; receives, searches, and books prisoners; fingerprints and transports prisoners; testifies and presents evidence in court

• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders

• Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment

• Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary; checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants; investigates scenes of vehicle accidents, provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of the roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports; directs traffic during a fire, special event, and other emergency or congested situations

• Assists the public and answers questions; administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance; establishes and maintains good relationships with the general public

• As assigned, makes presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of Police Department activities; serves as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools

• May conduct traffic control and security at parades and/or sporting events; takes information and writes reports; transports evidence; enforces parking regulations; may transport prisoners

Age: 21 years at time of appointment.

License/Certificates: At time of appointment, candidate must possess a valid California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.

Experience/Education: High school graduation or equivalent required. Candidates must have successfully completed an approved California Basic Police Academy.   Must be currently employed as a Police Officer, or have been employed as a Police Officer within the last six months. College education is desirable.

Skill in: Writing legibly using correct English sentence structure and grammar; driving a vehicle safely under varied and sometimes difficult conditions.

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for United States citizenship. In accordance with California State law, citizenship status must be conferred within three (3) years of applying for citizenship.

Background/Character: Free from conviction of a felony or serious misdemeanor; demonstrates maturity, good judgment and ethical behavior; willing to perform non-traditional and innovative duties to improve the community, police relations and moral standards compatible with law enforcement.

Physical: Must be in excellent physical condition; weight in proportion to height; normal hearing; vision 20/100 correctable to 20/20; normal color vision and physically capable of performing the duties of a Police Officer.

Position requires prolonged sitting, walking, reaching, twisting, and turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The incumbent must also be able to lift, carry, drag, pull and push objects and persons weighing at least 165 pounds; stand for extended periods of time such as in guarding a crime scene; run for extended periods of time such as in foot pursuit of suspects; distinguish colors and observe and recognize people, vehicles and environmental conditions during the day and night; recall details concerning incidents, people and occurrences to write thorough, accurate and complete reports; hear radio transmissions in noisy environments such as in a busy intersection; maintain composure and good judgment while under stress. Incumbents are assigned to rotating work shifts, including holidays and weekends.

The City of Tustin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.