Police Officer

Job Title: Police Officer

Join the City of Escondido, CA as a Police Officer and be part of a team dedicated to providing top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated individual to fill the position of Police Officer in our Police Department. As a Police Officer, you will be responsible for enforcing laws and ordinances, protecting life and property, and performing related tasks to fulfill these objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas by car, bike, motorcycle, or on foot.
• Answer calls for assistance, including investigation of crimes, deaths, accidents, and injuries.
• Conduct initial and follow-up investigations.
• Enforce, control, and direct traffic when appropriate.
• Stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of the law and enforce traffic violations.
• Perform arrests for all criminal violations of law.
• Testify in court in connection with the prosecution of offenders.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas.
• Administer first aid in emergency cases.
• Answer complaints on such problems as domestic disturbances, obnoxious animals, health code, and local ordinance violations.
• Investigate suspicious circumstances.
• Take custody of stolen, lost, or found property and evidence.
• Perform crowd control, parade, or riot work.
• Take crime prevention measures and assist in controlling problems of juvenile delinquency.
• Perform detective work in criminal investigation and identification work.
• Transport prisoners to be booked at county jail.
• Furnish information and directions to the public.
• Submit complete written reports on all cases investigated.
• Participate in required training courses and programs.
• Supervise non-sworn positions.
• Provide vacation and temporary relief as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, equipment, and techniques of peace officers.
• Knowledge of crime scene procedures.
• Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information on peace officers.
• Knowledge of state and federal statutes and case law covering contraband, drugs, and the use of physical evidence in court.
• Knowledge of police department policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and unit functions.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise police reports.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Ability to analyze emergency situations and adopt quick, reasonable, and effective courses of action.
• Ability to respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Ability to lift and move objects of moderate to heavy weight.
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times.
• Ability to participate in the high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing software applications.
• Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to type and/or enter data at 30 net words per minute.

Minimum Requirements

• Fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Not convicted of a felony by any State or Federal Government of a crime including imprisonment in a Federal or State prison.
• Good moral character as determined by a polygraph examination and a thorough background investigation as prescribed in Specification #1, Personal History Statement.
• Successfully complete requirements of medical and psychological evaluation.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Must not be less than 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Academy Graduate

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must have graduated from a POST Certified California Police Academy within the past three years, or must currently be attending a California POST Certified Standard Length Police Academy.
• Must be within six months of graduation if attending an extended format academy.

License or Certificate

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license at time of appointment.

POST REGULATIONS

• SPECIFICATION #1 - Personal History Statement.
• SPECIFICATION #2 - Physical Examination.

Supplemental Information

The physical agility examination will take each candidate approximately 1/2 hour. There are five separate events in this test, which are simulations of actual tasks that a Police Officer would be required to perform.

• OBSTACLE COURSE - This event simulates a short-distance foot pursuit such as might occur in the parking lot of an office complex.
• BODY DRAG - This test simulates dragging someone who is physically incapacitated.
• WOOD FENCE CLIMB - This event will test your ability to climb a six-foot-high wood wall.
• CHAIN FENCE CLIMB - This event will test your ability to climb a six-foot-high chain link fence.
• 500 YARD RUN - This event simulates a foot pursuit and requires that you run 500 yards without stopping.

Note: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety-sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

Selection Procedure

Applications will be screened, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write, and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam, or other appropriate job-related selection process.

When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation, including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental, and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien, or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

Veterans' Preference

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces.
• Received an honorable discharge.
• Did not retire from military service.
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

About Our City

The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub, and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains, or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living.

Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state-of-the-art hospital.

Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family, and your budget. Read this for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the City of Escondido website.

---