Police Officer Recruit

About the role

The City of Buena Park Police Department seeks candidates for the position of Police Officer. This role involves enforcing public safety laws, codes, and regulations, maintaining order, preventing, detecting, and investigating crime, and carrying out special assignments.

Responsibilities

• Enforces federal and state laws and regulations, and local ordinances related to public safety and law enforcement.
• Patrols an assigned area of the city, in a motor vehicle or on foot in order to detect and prevent crime and maintain law and order.
• Prepares citations, arrest reports, crime reports, daily observation reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, and impounded property reports.
• Responds to radio messages and citizen requests for protection of life, property and public assistance; appears at crimes and scenes of disorder and determines proper course of action.
• Investigates suspicious vehicles or persons; observes situations related to stolen cars, traffic violations, and proper flow of traffic.
• Gives verbal warnings and issues citations; inspects premises; assists in the investigation of crimes; conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths or other types of incidents involving possible violation of public safety laws and codes.
• Questions suspects, interviews victims and witnesses; books property and evidence; performs basic crime scene investigation; testifies in court regarding facts, circumstances, and violations; completes field and follow-up investigations.
• Takes written statements; examines conditions of accident scenes; clears scene of obstructions and damaged vehicles; notes and reports traffic hazards; provides first aid for injured persons or requests medical attention in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment, and other public gatherings and assures that proper licenses and permits are in effect.
• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; monitors status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including court orders.
• Develops and maintains positive relations with citizens, business owners, and other members of the community.
• Participates in police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs.
• Receives, searches, books, fingerprints, and takes custody of prisoners; guards and transports prisoners; provides meals and completes daily records.
• Tracks and coordinates the scheduling and training of Reserve Police Officers.
• Enforces specialized Traffic and Motor Vehicle Codes and prepares traffic and collision reports and investigation records; sets up DUI monitoring; coordinates work with Department of Motor Vehicles and Courts; attends meetings, prepares logs, and makes presentations.
• Organizes, coordinates, and provides officer training in the field related to proper law enforcement surveillance, handling of traffic stops, preparation of departmental reports, and related tasks; completes training records and employee progress reports at regular intervals.
• Assists in searches of suspects and properties; trains animals and conducts exercises in proper pursuit and control methods; feeds and maintains animals in accordance with health and safety standards, and prepares related activity records.
• Conducts crime scene investigations and pursues cases involving the collection of additional evidence, identification and interviewing of victims and suspects, and prosecution of cases within the court system; conducts covert patrol; writes and executes search warrants; coordinates property and evidence collection with police support staff; testifies in cases.
• Responds to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety.
• Maintains associations of individuals who belong to known gangs; determines means of gaining access and information from informants related to actual or planned crimes; testifies in cases.
• Visits public schools, prepares and makes educational presentations, maintains communications with school officials, works with District staff on attendance and truancy issues, and counsels students related to lawful conduct and community standards and expectations.
• Provides escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Ability to pass a polygraph examination.
• Ability to pass a drug screening.
• Ability to pass a psychological evaluation.
• Ability to pass a physical fitness test.
• Ability to pass a written exam.

Qualifications

Education and experience preferred but not required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience.
• Completion of a POST certified Basic Police Academy.

Skills

Required skills include:

• Knowledge of police science principles, practices, and professional standards.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Ability to operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, firearms and weapons.
• Ability to interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, and concise police reports and statistical records.
• Ability to analyze solutions to law enforcement problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other divisions, police management, city departments, public and private agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations.
• Ability to think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations.
• Ability to relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political, and racial backgrounds and age groups.

Benefits

The City of Buena Park Police Department offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance coverage.
• Vision insurance coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Employee assistance program.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is up to $137,467 annually, plus academy costs and expenses while a recruit. There is a 5% salary increase effective July 4, 2026, and a $10,000 signing bonus. The signing bonus is structured as follows: $3,334 at the time of hire, $3,333 after completion of a Field Training Program and 18-Month Probationary Period, and $3,333 at the completion of a second year of service.

Schedule

Alternative work schedules, such as a 3/12 work week and special event overtime opportunities, such as Knott's Berry Farm and Community Events, are also available.