Police Officer II

About the role

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) is dedicated to serving the community through its Veteran-friendly employment policies. As a Veteran-friendly employer, SDPD is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide On-the-Job Training (OJT) for eligible veterans and qualified individuals. This certification allows veterans to use their GI Bill benefits while employed by SDPD, starting with attendance at a paid California POST-approved Police Academy and continuing for up to one year after graduation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a presence in the community to deter crime and provide support to citizens.
• Build strong relationships with community members and uphold best practices of Community Oriented Policing.
• Act as a police presence at major public events to ensure public safety.
• Identify potential criminal activity or other hazardous situations and take appropriate actions to protect citizens and property.
• Secure crime scenes and process evidence.
• Respond to calls for service, observe violations, make arrests and citations when necessary.
• Conduct criminal investigations by gathering evidence and interviewing victims and witnesses.
• Document observations and actions by radioing information and completing reports.
• Fulfill court orders by testifying in court regarding criminal investigations and citations.
• Maintain safe traffic conditions by monitoring and directing traffic, enforcing laws and ordinances, investigating collisions, and reporting unsafe streets and facilities.

Requirements

• Age: 21 years of age at time of hire.
• Valid California Class C Driver License at the time of hire.
• Two years of full-time paid experience as a sworn peace officer with a city police, county sheriff, state, or federal law enforcement agency performing correction duties, patrol functions, or traffic enforcement.
• Experience must include service with a law enforcement agency WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
• Passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (C.H.S.P.E.) or General Education Development (G.E.D.) with scores that meet the California standard established by the American Council on Education AND successful completion of a minimum of 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units.
• Possession of a two or four-year degree from an accredited college or university located within the United States or a United States territory. (Accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body which has been recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation).
• Attendance at a PAID Regional San Diego Police Academy is required to satisfy California state certification requirements.

Qualifications

• Free of any felony convictions.
• No domestic violence conviction(s) or being a registered sex offender.

Skills

• Integrity;
• Leadership skills;
• Excellent judgment under pressure;
• Able to maintain sufficient level of fitness to safely perform as a law enforcement professional;
• Able to be aware of, control, and express emotions appropriately, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically;
• Able to maintain confidence in uncertain situations;
• Excellent judgment and ability to act under pressure;
• Able to thrive in diverse populations.

Benefits

City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits. Eligible City employees will participate in the City’s Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (SDCERS). Flexible Benefits Plan Options for Police Safety Members or review the Benefits Summary for POA Employees. (Download PDF reader)