Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)

About the role

The City of La Mesa is seeking a Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate) to join its dedicated team. The position offers competitive pay and benefits, along with numerous opportunities for advancement.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas of the City in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Respond to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, animal control, and related incidents.
• Conduct investigations at scenes of incidents to which summoned or incidents observed; determine what, if any crime has been committed; identify, collect, preserve, process, photograph, and book evidence; locate and interview victims and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects.
• Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants; apprehend and arrest offenders for crimes committed under Federal, State and local laws and codes; control and mitigate people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provide traffic and crowd control at parades, festivals, riots, and other events.
• Serve as liaison and public relations officer for the assigned area; establish and preserve good relationships with the general public; may develop reliable informants and provide intelligence information to divisional and/or departmental personnel.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the City for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.
• Participate in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
• Perform a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attend meetings; prepare and submit news releases; maintain and calibrate specialized equipment including preliminary alcohol screening devices.
• Prepare a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepare investigative reports and case information.
• Testify in juvenile, civil, traffic, municipal, and criminal courts, and parole and DMV hearings; prepare and present evidence; respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
• Answer questions from the public concerning local and State laws, procedures, and activities of the department.
• Aid in receiving, searching, booking, fingerprinting, and transporting prisoners.
• When assigned, make presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of Police Department activities; serve as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools.
• When assigned the Traffic Bureau as a Collision Investigator Motorcycle Officer, patrol assigned areas on a police motorcycle; perform a full range of traffic enforcement duties; observe, monitor, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions; assist and advise motorist; use radar to detect speed; issue citations and warnings; investigate traffic accidents; coordinate traffic patterns during special events; conduct special enforcement details including DUI, seatbelt, and child safety seat check points; maintain the police motorcycle.
• When assigned to investigations, coordinate and conduct complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations; perform undercover and surveillance activities; interview victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects; collect, preserve, and maintain evidence and property found that is involved with suspected crimes; prepare and execute search warrants; prepare investigative reports and case information; as assigned, coordinate 2nd hand dealer licensing and enforcement and firearms licensing, gun registrations, and registration violations.
• When assigned as a Master Officer/Field Training Officer, train new recruits and lateral police officers; document trainee progress and prepare evaluations; serve as acting field supervisor as assigned.
• When assigned as C.R.U./School Resource Officer, serve as law enforcement officer, law related counselor, and law related instructor for drug abuse prevention programs at assigned school; supervise City-wide truancy sweeps; assist with special juvenile enforcement details; supervise security for school functions.

Requirements

General Must be at least 20-1/2 years of age at time of application submission. Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Police Officer - Lateral Transfer: Any experience as a sworn peace officer in the State of California, or equivalent. Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate, California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate, or a California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver Certificate.

Police Officer - Academy Graduate: Graduation from a California P.O.S.T. approved police academy. Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate.

Note: Individuals currently enrolled in a POST-approved academy who are within three (3) months of graduation at the time of application submittal are eligible for consideration. Proof of academy enrollment must be submitted during the online application process.

License Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• High school graduation, passage of the General Education Development Test (GED) or attainment of a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience as a peace officer in the State of California, or equivalent.
• Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate, a California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver Certificate, or a California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate; OR expectation to obtain one of the above within the next 90 days.

Skills

Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing law enforcement activities. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to handle stressful situations and emergencies. Ability to make sound decisions and judgments. Ability to operate a variety of specialized equipment and apparatus.

Benefits

The City of La Mesa offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Click here for a summary of La Mesa Police Officer's Association benefits for Sworn and Non-Sworn employees. For additional detailed information regarding salaries and benefits, please review the La Mesa Police Officers Association MOU.

Pay

Up to $15,000 Hiring Incentive Bonus for LATERAL candidates available!

• $2,000- Completion of hiring process
• $3,000- Successful completion of the LMPD Field Training Program
• $5,000- 2 years of service with successful performance & possession of Basic P.O.S.T. Certification at time of hire
• $10,000- 2 years of service with successful performance & possession of Intermediate or Advanced P.O.S.T. Certification at time of hire

Schedule

Hours vary based on assignment and shift.