Police Officer - Lateral ($30K Hiring Incentive)

About the role

Join the Palm Springs Police Department as a member of a team dedicated to enforcing laws, protecting persons and property, preventing crimes, controlling traffic flow, and supporting the community.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas to preserve law and order and discover and prevent the commission of crimes.
• Respond to general public service and crime victim calls, traffic hazards, stray animal reports, and related misdemeanors and felony incidents.
• Plan, execute, write, and serve search warrants; search suspects, vehicles, residences and buildings for evidence, contraband and lost or missing people.
• Serve arrest warrants; make arrests for crimes committed under penal and institute codes; perform booking procedures for new prisoners; contact and interview witnesses to gain additional information.
• Process and store evidence and property found at various crime scenes; maintain records, and enter data into computer as necessary.
• Investigate organized crime and gang activities, subjects, groups, and representatives relative to assigned area of responsibility; collect intelligence information and produce cases and reports for presentation to the District Attorney.
• Review and investigate reports relating to vehicle theft and accidents.
• Conduct a variety of investigations relative to assigned area of responsibility including narcotics, crimes against property and persons; gather information from witnesses and informants; interview suspects; prepare reports, and follow up on investigations.
• Testify in juvenile and civil courts and DMV hearings; prepare and process court reports.
• Develop, conduct and participate in training exercises and classes; respond to and resolve questions and concerns; stay abreast of current crime trends and innovative policing techniques; implement new information into training programs as appropriate.
• Perform unique duties of assigned area of responsibility including SWAT, K-9, bicycle, and mounted police units.
• Assist other investigators and police divisions in related investigative activities.
• May serve in a lead capacity in the absence of immediate supervisor.
• Provide news releases to the media; conduct television interviews for public awareness.

Requirements

• Current employment, or employment within the last three (3) years as a full-time Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government and possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver is required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by the completion of a California P.O.S.T. Certified Police Academy, or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver is required.
• Appropriate valid driver license with a satisfactory driving record is required.
• Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver is required.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid CPR Certificate is required.
• Must reside within 1 hour driving distance from the Palm Springs Police Department at time of appointment to the position of Sworn Police Officer.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation including a criminal history check for job related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph screening, credit check, psychological screening and a physical and drug screen.

Qualifications

• Desirable: California public agency experience as a Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government.
• Desirable: High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by the completion of a California P.O.S.T. Certified Police Academy, or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver.
• Desirable: California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver.
• Desirable: CPR Certificate.

Benefits

The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
• Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Retirement Plan through Calfornia Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

Pay

Pay incentives include:

• $30,000 Hiring Bonus: Available to eligible new hire lateral police officers.
• Longevity Pay based on years of service in a full-time sworn law enforcement position with the City of Palm Springs or sworn law enforcement position with another law enforcement agency.
• Education Pay for an associate degree (1.5% of base salary) and a bachelor's degree (3.0% of base salary).
• Special Compensation for specific roles including Motor Officer (5%), Lead Investigator (10%), Canine Officer (5%), FTO (5%), and Bilingual Pay ($250/month).

Working Conditions

This position works in an emergency police services environment; travel from site to site; have exposure to potentially hostile environments; and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, running, standing, sitting, walking or driving for prolonged periods; the ability to discharge a firearm.

Application and Exam Information

A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on December 31, 2026, in order to be considered for this opportunity.