Police Officer - Entry Level

Police Academy Attendee

Would you like to be a part of a team that believes in investing in partnerships with the community, proactive crime prevention, community education and overall effective police work? If so, the City of La Habra Police Department features:

• Patrol Services (3/12.5 work schedule)
• SWAT; North County SWAT
• Traffic-Motors/Commercial Enforcement/Fatal Accidents/Reconstruction Team
• Investigations-General (Robbery/Homicide/Family Crimes/Property and Economic Crimes) Special (Gangs and Narcotics)
• Regional Task Force
• School Resource Officer
• Canine (Two handlers)
• Explorer Advisor

This position is designed for applicants who do not have prior experience as a Police Officer and who are not academy-trained. Applicants selected will be assigned to the Police Academy, and upon successful completion, will be sworn in as a Police Officer.

Examples of duties include:

• Operating police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, firearms and weapons
• Interpreting and applying state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances
• Preparing and presenting clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records
• Analyzing solutions to law enforcement problems
• Conveying clear instructions or executing commands
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other divisions, police management, city departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public
• Communicating effectively, both orally or in writing
• Accurately recalling circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports
• Exercising tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations
• Thinking logically and maintaining alertness in emergency situations
• Relating effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.

Qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Learning, understanding, and interpreting laws, ordinances, departmental policies, and regulations
• Analyzing situations and adopting a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action
• Writing clear and accurate reports
• Physically completing academy training
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships and to deal tactfully and effectively with the public

Education/training/experience requirements include: High school diploma or equivalent is required. This is an entry level position; no work experience is required. Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license, satisfactory driving record and evidence of insurance is required. Must have the ability to successfully complete a California POST basic academy training. Legally authorized under federal law to work in the United States. Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment. As a condition of continued employment, employees shall refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time on duty. Record must be free from conviction of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or domestic violence, and from an excessive number of citations for traffic violations. Background history should indicate responsibility, dependability, honesty, integrity, acceptable communication skills, good judgement and the ability to relate well to others.

Physical qualifications include: ability to stand, sit in a patrol car for long periods, walk; lift, carry, push, and pull a grown adult (move up to 160 pounds); climb walls, fences, stairs and ladders, stoop, twist, squat/kneel, crawl, run, grasp, repeatedly bend and move wrists, use both hands, legs and feet; reach with both hands: speak, hear and understand radio communications, touch/feel, see at a distance and up close and have depth perception and normal color vision. Must be physically fit to perform the job including corrected or uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better; physical strength and agility to perform foot pursuit and physical restraint of suspects. Vision: corrected or uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better with normal color vision and depth perception with no color deficiencies. Hearing: hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Ability to hear in-person; as well as, distinguish radio and telephone conversations, recognize differences or changes in sound patterns and loudness or pitch. Work environment: due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents may be exposed to smoke/fumes/gas, live electricity, excessive heat/cold, inclement weather, high frequency noise, dirt/dust, grease/oil, chemicals and solvents/toxic agents and may infrequently be exposed to radiation, treated water, and pesticides.

The selection process may include but is not limited to a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, polygraph examination, background check, medical examination, and a psychological evaluation. Once selected, the applicant will attend a POST approved academy at the choosing of the La Habra Police Department. Work schedule: 3/12.5 work week schedule or 4/10 work week schedule for Special Assignments. Ability to work extended hours in order to meet shift needs, complete reports, attend meetings, or conduct police business. Public employee disaster service worker: in accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

The City of La Habra is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.