Police Officer - Current Academy Attendees and Graduates

Duties

• Patrol assigned areas to ensure the security of life and property, observe situations, and deter crime by providing high visibility; respond to suspicious activities and answer emergency calls for service; enforce state, local, and federal laws and ordinances; issue verbal warnings and citations; pursue and apprehend suspects and request assistance as required.
• Investigate criminal activity and incidents as the responding officer; coordinate crime scene control and investigation, including interviews and interrogations and identification of witnesses; oversee collection and preservation of physical evidence; restore order, protect life and property, and maintain the peace at public gatherings and in conflict situations.
• Prepare and document cases, complete reports and records, and prepare and maintain other logs and records.
• Investigate traffic accidents and provide traffic and crowd control as necessary.
• Participate in special details and assignments, including K-9, traffic patrol, narcotics, investigation, and related activities; retrieve, identify, and return found property and/or evidence to owners; provide emergency aid and assistance to incapacitated persons and request additional response; provide information, directions, and other services and assistance to the public; testify in court, as subpoenaed; respond to SWAT team call-outs; may act as hostage negotiator.
• Direct, instruct, train, and supervise recruit officers in areas of traffic enforcement, radar operation, DUI enforcement, and basic traffic accident investigation.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: - Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts. - Techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile and emergency situations. - Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work. - Learn the principles, practices, procedures, laws and ordinances, terminology, and operation of equipment used in law enforcement and crime prevention and investigation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of graduation from the Police Academy.
• Have education equivalent to completion of high school.
• Possess a valid California Driver License.
• Be a current POST Academy Attendee or Graduate.
• Have achieved a PELLET B T-Score of 42 or better or have the degree equivalent.

Selection Process

All completed application documents will be reviewed. An application submitted without complete information will not be considered. A screening committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant who has met the minimum requirements for the position. The highest-ranking applicants will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Hiring Requirements

• Candidates being considered for selection will undergo a thorough background investigation, including by not limited to personal history, employment, education, military, State of California Department of Justice fingerprint search of records, DMV driving record, etc. A polygraph examination will be part of the background examination.
• All statements made on application materials must be correct and will be subject to investigation and verification.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move weight up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works with use of vehicle. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

• The City of Petaluma offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive benefit package including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, etc.

Background Investigation

• Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Your record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations.
• After a conditional job offer is made, you must pass a medical examination, drug screen, and psychological suitability examination.

Application Questions

• Please describe the steps you have taken to prepare for a career in law enforcement and tell us why you are specifically interested in working for the Petaluma Police Department.
• I am currently attending a California POST- certified Regular Basic Course (Intensive, Extended, or Modular formats)
• I have completed a POST-certified Regular Basic Course
• Neither of these apply
• If you are a POST Basic Academy Graduate, you will need to attach a copy of your valid POST Certificate of Completion with your application. Do you acknowledge this requirement?
• Yes
• No
• Please indicate which POST Basic Academy you attended or are attending and your expected or actual graduation date.
• If you are successful in completing the testing process, you will undergo a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting and a polygraph examination. NOTE: Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Your record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. After a conditional job offer is made, you must pass a medical examination, drug screen, and psychological suitability examination. Do you acknowledge this requirement?
• Yes
• No