Lateral Police Officer & Academy Graduate
About the Role
Police Officers with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Police Department serve a vital role in protecting life and property across one of the nation’s largest and most complex public transit systems. Officers are assigned throughout BART’s multi-county service area and work in a fast-paced, highly visible environment that demands sound judgment, adaptability, and strong community engagement skills.
Experienced sworn Police Officers (Laterals) bring valuable skills and perspective to BART PD’s mission. Lateral officers are expected to quickly adapt to transit policing operations, applying their previous training and experience while embracing the distinct challenges and opportunities of regional transit law enforcement. Police Academy Graduates are welcomed as entry-level officers and will receive structured field training and ongoing supervision. Incumbents are encouraged to learn a variety of law enforcement functional areas and techniques while demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service.
Hiring Incentive: $15,000
Responsibilities
- Patrols a designated area in a radio vehicle or on foot to protect life and property and deter crime.
- Responds to suspicious activities and answers emergency calls for services.
- Enforces District, city, county or state and federal laws and ordinances.
- Assists in settling disputes, calming angry patrons and providing crowd direction and control.
- Makes presentations to community and employee groups regarding personal safety and criminal activities.
- Secures information from the parties at an incident scene and collects, documents and prepares evidence for court.
- Prepares affidavits for arrest and/or search warrants, files criminal complaints and coordinates investigative activities with other law enforcement agencies.
- Transports prisoners to booking facilities and processes them.
- Maintains accurate records and writes incident and crime reports.
- Works with investigative and legal personnel and presents testimony in court.
- Enforces traffic and parking regulations, investigates traffic accidents and directs traffic.
- Serves warrants and subpoenas.
Qualifications
Lateral Peace Officers must possess a valid California POST Basic Certificate and be currently or previously employed as a full-time sworn salaried Peace Officer in the State of California. Out of state sworn Peace Officers will be required to obtain a CA POST Basic Certificate and California State Driver’s License within a specified time.
Police Academy Graduates must possess a valid Certificate of Completion from a CA POST-mandated Basic Academy (certificate must be attached to the application).
Minimum Qualifications
- Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent college credits, military or customer service experience highly desirable.
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
- Must be physically able to drag a body weighing up to 165 pounds.
- Must be physically able to lift and carry equipment and boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards.
- Must obtain required P.O.S.T. certification.
- Must remain firearm qualified.
- Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
- Techniques for dealing with varied groups of people.
- Standard record keeping and report writing procedures and techniques.
- Ability to observe and accurately recall places, names, faces and incidents.
- Understand and follow oral and written directions.
- Interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies.
- Analyze situations and make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
- Use two-way radio communication equipment effectively.
- Drive a motor vehicle safely.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
- Maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and competent reports.
Selection Process
Applications must be completed in full and include all requested information, including dates of employment, positions held, hours worked, and a detailed description of duties performed. The selection process will include 5 phases. Candidates must pass each phase to move on to the next phase:
- Phase 1: Pre-Screening Background Questionnaire
- Phase 2: Minimum Qualifications Screening
- Phase 3: Review and Evaluation of Personal History Statement
- Phase 4: Oral Board and Written Assessment
- Phase 5: Background Investigation
The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as requested and/or required by law; pass a pre-employment medical examination which includes a drug and alcohol screen; and pass an extensive background check and successful completion of a polygraph exam. If selected to proceed in the background investigative phase, you may be asked to provide documents such as naturalization/citizenship papers, birth certificates, school transcripts, proof of selective service (men only), DMV driving history documents, proof of automobile insurance, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and POST certificates (if applicable).
Candidates that are unsuccessful in the oral board process can reapply online for future openings. Candidates that are unsuccessful in the written, physical agility and/or oral board process can immediately reapply online for future openings. Candidates that are unsuccessful in the investigative background process must wait at least 6 months before reapplying.
Pay
- Academy Graduate (while in Field Training): $8,996.14/Monthly
- Lateral Police Officer: $12,699.83/Monthly
Benefits
- Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
- Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS):
- 2% @ 55 (Miscellaneous Members – Classic)
- 2% @ 62 (Miscellaneous Members – PEPRA)
- 3% @ 50 (Safety Members – Classic)
- 2.7% @ 57 (Safety Members – PEPRA)
- Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems