Police Officer (Lateral & Academy Graduate)

Salary : $92,460.00 - $111,701.76 Annually
Location : Police Department - 570 W. Bonita Avenue Claremont, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-002
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

City of Claremont
The City of Claremont Police Department is looking for Lateral and Academy Graduate Police Officers that are highly energetic and motivated.
They will have work ethics and moral standards that are of the highest caliber, to preserve the peace, protect life and property, prevent and detect crimes, and enforce laws and ordinances, while maintaining a positive public service approach toward the community.
Located 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles on the lower slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, Claremont is best known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, world renowned colleges, and award-winning school system.
Claremont provides the atmosphere of a New England town within comfortable driving distances of major Southern California attractions, sports stadiums, and the Ontario International Airport. Sunset magazine described Claremont in this manner, "College towns like this one may be commonplace on the East Coast, but Claremont, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, stands out as a singular example in Southern California." Metrolink Rail Authority also named Claremont a Preferred Destination Point.
The City has a population of 37,780 people. Within the 14.1 square miles of the city, Claremont has 23 city-owned parks and sports fields, with 1,900 acres of public park land, of which 1,769 is wilderness. Claremont has over 24,000 City trees and has been a winner of the National Arbor Day Association's TREE CITY USA award for 31 consecutive years.
Claremont's success is not accidental, but the result of a long tradition of creating and encouraging community cooperatives and involvement in civic affairs, which has also worked successfully in the areas of business and economic retention and development. The City of Claremont exemplifies the quality of a model city, and is viewed and respected as a leader in local government.
The Claremont Police Department consists of 42 sworn personnel and 28 professional staff positions, with a variety of volunteer programs, such as Reserve Police Officers, Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, and Police Explorers. The Department provides multiple opportunities for special assignments, such as motorcycle patrol; bicycle patrol; Field Training Officer; regional SWAT team member; School Resource Officer/DARE officer; Detective Bureau, Drug Recognition Expert; Range Master; canine handler; a variety of regional task forces, and the Specialized Services Bureau. Typically, 35% patrol time is free for pro-active patrol. Patrol staff works a 3/12 schedule, and the Detective Bureau works a 4/10 schedule.
The Position
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrol City in radio-equipped car; answer calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, property crimes against persons, and other criminal incidents.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate arresting and/or follow-up investigations of offenses.
• Prepare reports on arrest, traffic violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices, issue citations, and make arrests as necessary.
• Check buildings for physical security, report traffic hazards to the proper authority, i.e., inoperative street lamps.
• Arrest, search, fingerprint, photograph, book, and transport prisoners.
• Direct traffic at special events, fire and other emergency or congested situations.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas, file complaints, and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
• Respond to medical emergencies and administer first aid as necessary.
• Attend meetings, seminars, and training sessions as assigned.
• Enforce traffic laws, warn drivers against unlawful practices, issue citations, and make arrests as necessary.
• Act as Field Training Officer for Police Officer trainees when required.

Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques and equipment, jail operations, police records and reports, and first aid techniques.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Self defense tactics.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Health and Safety Code, pertaining to controlled substances.

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

Completion of High School, passing the General Education Development Test or passing the California High School Proficiency Examination.

Meet California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) minimum standards.

Possession of an Associates degree is desired.

Must have completed a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) course. (Academy Graduate)

Age:

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Hearing:

Will be good and without defect.

Weight:

In proportion to height.

Vision:

Uncorrected eyesight should be 20/100 or better in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other eye; correctable to 20/20 in both eyes; free of significant color vision anomaly(ies) as measured by the Farnsworth D-15 or substantially similar test.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid California State Class C driver's license.

Probationary period shall be 18-months.
Additional Information
SELECTION PROCESS

All application materials will be thoroughly reviewed and those applicants whose background and experience most closely match the needs of the Police Department will be invited to an oral interview. Those candidates scoring 70% and above on the oral exam will be placed on an eligibility list. Upon establishment of the eligibility list, those invited to begin the background process must immediately turn in the PHS statement. You can find the PHS at:

An extensive background investigation covering prior employment, personal references, financial history, driving record, criminal history, controlled substance use/abuse, and personal character will be conducted. Successful completion of a medical examination, drug screen test, and psychological evaluation conducted by City designated doctors, and polygraph exam will be required prior to appointment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Lateral Police Officer offers a highly competitive salary with an attractive and competitive benefit package as outlined below. The starting salary for this position will be based on the competitive labor market and the successful candidate's qualifications, experience, and salary history.
The City of Claremont offers an attractive and competitive benefit package, including:

• 3% at 55 PERS retirement (Classic Members) and 2.7% at 57 PERS retirement (New Member)
• $1,500 a month for medical allowance.
• 96 hours - 160 hours vacation based on years of service
• 120 holiday hours and 40 floating holiday hours
• Educational Incentive Pay
• Certificate Pay
• Longevity Pay
• Special Duty Pay
• Bilingual Pay
• 96 sick hours per year (may bring up to 200 hours of sick leave from current employer)
• $75,000 life insurance on employee and $10,000 on dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

HOW TO APPLY

Online applications are accepted through governmentjobs only.Recruitment may close after a sufficient number of qualified applicants is received, apply early!
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Claremont is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Individuals with qualified disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the selection process or in the performance of their duties must specify the accommodations needed, in writing, at the time when the employment application is submitted.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Claremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.
This summary highlights select benefits. Comprehensive benefits, pays, and working conditions are outlined in the applicable Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The full MOU is available on the
01

Have you completed the POST Basic Law Enforcement Course?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently employed with a California POST Agency with a minimum of one year of service.

• Yes
• No

03

Definitions - "General Personnel File" means the file maintained by any law enforcement agency containing the primary records specific to your employment, including evaluations, assignments, status changes and imposed discipline. "Separate File" means any file maintained by a law enforcement agency which contains information other than or in addition to that set forth in the "General Personnel File," and includes, but is not limited to complaints generated both by the public and internally, any reports or findings related to these complaints, regardless of whether or not the investigation resulted in findings of unfounded, exonerated or frivolous. "Employment Information" includes written information in connection with job applications, performance evaluations, attendance records, "disciplinary actions" (defined as oral and written reprimands, transfers for purposes of punishment, suspensions, demotions, dismissals, or any other form of discipline) eligibility for re-hire and any other information relevant to peace officer performance. "Employer" means any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity, public or private, for which you performed services in exchange for any type of remuneration or consideration. Please state whether or not any present or prior employer maintains a General Personnel File, a Separate File, or any other file including "Employment Information," as said terms are defined in this application. If yes, please indicate the identity of the agency(ies) or employer in possession of said file(s).
04

Have you ever been the sole subject, or one of multiple subjects, under investigation by any employer, prosecuting, or law enforcement agency where the subject matter of said investigation was possible criminal, administrative and/or civil, (state and/or federal) misconduct by you, regarding either or both course and scope or non-course and scope of employment conduct. If yes, please state in detail the identity of the investigating agency(ies) or employers, the identity and rank or position of the individuals(s) conducting the investigation, the disposition of the investigation (i.e., sustained, not sustained, exonerated, unfounded, frivolous or any other terminology utilized by the investigating agency), and the opening and closing dates of the investigation(s) under question 9.

• Yes
• No

05

Has any employer, prosecuting or law enforcement agency proposed that you be disciplined (oral or written reprimand, suspension, transfer for purposes of punishment, demotion, dismissal or any other form of discipline), whether or not a final finding of misconduct was issued and/or whether or not discipline was actually imposed. If yes, provide detail as to the identity of the employer, prosecutor or law enforcement agency proposing such action and the attendant dates under question 9.

• Yes
• No

06

Has any employer, prosecutorial or law enforcement agency ever determined that discipline should be imposed upon you (whether or not the discipline was actually imposed). If yes, identify the involved employer, prosecutorial or law enforcement agency and the relevant dates under question 9.

• Yes
• No

07

Have you ever been a defendant in a criminal or civil proceeding regarding either or both course and scope or non-course and scope conduct. If yes, please identify the title of the proceeding, the case number, the jurisdiction (i.e., Superior Court or Federal), the allegations against you, and the manner in which the case was resolved (i.e., judgement, settlement or otherwise) under question 9.

• Yes
• No

08

Have you ever been arrested (regardless of whether or not the arrest resulted in a conviction), regardless of whether or not the arrest regarded activity allegedly committed in or out of the course and scope of employment. If yes, please identify the investigating prosecutorial agency, the arresting law enforcement agency, the charge, the date of the arrest, the allegations upon which the arrest was based, and the manner in which the arrest was finally disposed of under question 9.

• Yes
• No

09

Have you ever entered into an agreement with any prosecutorial agency, law enforcement agency, or public or private entity, which provided in any manner for any or all files of any type pertaining to your employment, being "sealed" or otherwise subject to restrictions on disclosure. If yes, please identify the involved entity, the date(s) of the agreement and any and all facts regarding the agreement and its subject matter under question 9.

• Yes
• No

10

Have you ever resigned from any employment. If yes, please state the name of the employer from which you resigned, the date(s) and the reason for said resignation under question 9.

• Yes
• No

11

If you answered "Yes" to any of the aforementioned questions (2 - 8), please expand and include the required information under that specific question. If you answered, "No", to all the aforementioned questions (2 - 8), please type Not Applicable.
12

Have you completed a POST approved academy within the last three years, currently enrolled in a POST approved academy, or no more than three year break in service as a California Peace Officer?

• Completed a POST approved academy within the last three years
• Currently enrolled in a POST approved academy
• No more than three year break in service as a California Peace Officer
• Do not currently have my POST Certificate

Required Question