Police Officer: Academy Trained/Current Enrollee

About The Position

To perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; enforce State and local traffic regulations; perform investigative work; and participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs.

Education

• Education: High school graduate or equivalent AND completion of a California (CA) Basic Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy within the last twenty four (24) months from date of application submission OR current enrollment with good class standing in a full-time basic police academy certified by the CA Commission on P.O.S.T.
• Experience: No previous sworn law enforcement experience required. In addition to Academy training, any related work experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential function of the position is helpful.

Qualifications

• Age: 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Knowledge of:
• Good command of basic grammar and written communication;
• use and care of firearms;
• Federal, California state, and local laws applicable to law enforcement;
• police department equipment, practices, and procedures;
• proper search and seizure and arrest procedures;
• geography of the City of Downey and the location of important buildings and streets;
• investigative procedures and techniques.
• Ability to:
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places;
• think and act quickly in emergencies and judge situations and people accurately;
• effectively analyze problems for an appropriate response under emergency or stress situations;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• understand and interpret laws and regulations;
• prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;
• learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system;
• establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;
• understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• meet and maintain the physical requirements established by the Downey Police Department.

Additional Information

• Height in proportion to weight;
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes and free from color blindness;
• Hearing within normal limit;
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

License Requirements

• Due to the performance of field duties, possession of a valid California Driver's License and possession of an acceptable driving record and the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout the course of employment in the position is required.

Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions.
• Slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust, dirt, and odors are conditions frequently encountered.
• Must constantly work with noise from traffic and police radio.
• Position requires availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call and overtime.
• Physical demands include constant arm and leg movements, driving, standing, and sitting for long periods of time.
• Bending, stooping, lifting, running, squatting and climbing is also required.

THE USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS EITHER ON OR OFF THE JOB IS PROHIBITED.

Selection/Testing Process

• All employment applications and supplemental information received will be thoroughly and carefully reviewed and evaluated to determine the level and scope of the candidate's qualifications for the position.
• All information provided is subject to verification.
• Failure to provide the required documentation may result in an application being removed from consideration.
• Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position.
• Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.
• Stating "See Resume" or attaching a resume is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
• Candidates who complete testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority.
• Prior to Conditional Offer of Employment, a comprehensive background investigation is conducted which includes a polygraph and fingerprinting.
• A pre-placement medical exam, including a drug screen and psychological examination will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.
• The probationary period for a sworn Police Officer position is eighteen (18) months.