Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

About the role

The City of Hanford is seeking to fill vacancies in the Police department. This position is to perform general law enforcement duties on an assigned shift; to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; and to promote community order and protect life and property through the preservation of public peace and prevention of crime. This is the journey-level sworn Police Officer class.

Responsibilities

• Protect life and property by patrolling assigned areas, in vehicles, on motorcycles, or on foot as required.
• Answer calls for service regarding criminal activity and other matters relating to the safety of the community.
• Investigate conditions hazardous to life or property; respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service in a variety of situations.
• Arrest and detain violators, by means of reasonably objective, lawful use of force if necessary.
• MEDIATE conflict, provide crowd control, and provide general assistance to the public.
• Obtain criminal complaints, serve warrants, and make arrests.
• Gather and document evidence.
• Perform traffic enforcement and traffic control duties via vehicle and on foot; issue citations as necessary.
• Conduct criminal investigations for narcotics and alcohol violations, property crimes, and crimes against persons; inspect persons and property, including searching and checking buildings, vehicles, etc.
• Write clear and concise reports; read and create law enforcement bulletins.
• Administer roadside sobriety tests and evaluate subjects for evidence of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Serve on local and regional special task forces as assigned.
• BUILD and MAINTAIN positive working relationships with co-workers, other district employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
• BE an INTEGRAL team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Methods, principles, and practices of California law enforcement and public safety.
• Investigative techniques and procedures.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations, including laws of arrest, vehicle and penal codes.
• Crowd and traffic control enforcement procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience: Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
• Education: Completion of a POST approved basic academy.
• Licenses and Certificates: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certificate. Possession of, or ability to obtain, valid American Red Cross C.P.R., First Aid, and AED certification.

Skills

• Assess emergency and non-emergency situations and determine appropriate course of action.
• Know and understand all aspects of a sworn police officer's job.
• Remember accounts given by witnesses.
• Identify crime suspects.
• Interpret and apply the law to field situations.
• Observe while conducting surveillance.
• Problem solve crime situations.
• Explain law to the public.

Benefits

• Public Employees' Retirement System: The City provides the PERS retirement program, 3% @ 55 for Classic Members and 2.7% @ 57 for New Members.
• Alternative Work Schedule: 3/12 plus an 8-hour plan for most patrol positions.
• Holiday Pay: 56 hours per year with an additional 56 hours added to a holiday-in-lieu bank.
• Vacation: Starts at 88 hours per year and up to 160 hours per year based on time of service.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours per year with unlimited accumulation.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Three medical plans to choose from to meet your family or financial needs. The City pays 60% of the total premium cost of all regular and probationary employees and their dependents.
• Hanford Employee Care Connection (City-sponsored clinic) is free and available to all insured full-time employees and covered dependents. Medical care offering same-day appointments, little to no co-pays, and comprehensive health care.
• City paid life insurance policy of $50,000.
• Tuition Reimbursement: A tuition reimbursement plan is available for work-related studies up to $5,000 per fiscal year.
• Bilingual Pay: 5% for eligible employees.
• Uniform Allowance: $1,200.00 a year.
• Longevity Pay is provided to employees upon completion of ten, fifteen, and twenty years of California Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) qualified sworn peace officer full-time employment.
• POST Certificate Incentive Pay: 5% for Intermediate and 2.5% for Advanced POST Certificate.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan: Matched employer contributions up to $75.00 per pay period.
• Take-home vehicle for sworn employees residing within 25 miles of the Hanford Police Department.

Pay

Years of Service Percentage of Base Rate of Pay
After the completion of 10 years 5%
After the completion of 15 years An additional 2.5% for a total of 7.5%
After the completion of 20 years An additional 2.5% for a total of 10%

Schedule

Alternative Work Schedule: 3/12 plus an 8-hour plan for most patrol positions.