Police Officer Lateral or Academy Graduate

Salary : $101,691.20 - $163,155.20 Annually
Location : Irvine, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 3889
Department: Public Safety
Opening Date: 07/01/2024
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
**You must be POST certified or have previous experience as a California Peace Officer to be considered as a Police Officer Lateral**
At the City of Irvine, we strive to make a difference within a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect. If you are interested in a career in law enforcement as part of a world class agency, the Police Officer position would be an excellent opportunity.

Expedited Process: as a Lateral or an Academy Graduate applicant, the written examination and physical agility test is waived.

Out-of-State laterals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but are required, at a minimum, to complete the California POST Waiver course within the last 3 years."

The Irvine Police Department's geographic policing model ensures a high level of community collaboration, strategic partnerships, and progressive problem solving. As a Police Officer, you will patrol designated areas of the City and respond to calls or complaints while taking necessary action.
Incentive Pay

Specialty Pay

Shift Differential

* Swing 2% * Graveyard 4%

SWAT, CNT, DRE, MAIT, EMT, Drone Team, and Mounted Unit 1.5%

Bilingual 2%

Field Training Officer 8%

Intermediate POST 5%

Detective, SRO, Traffic, and DARE 6%

Advanced POST 15.5% (Combined with Intermediate)

K9 Unit 7.2%
Annual Health and Wellness Benefit $1,000Annual Equipment Reimbursement $300
LONGEVITY PAY (for all law enforcement time) will be assigned at the following benchmarks:
Completion of 9 years: 3%
Completion of 14 years: 6.09%
Completion of 19 years at 10.33%

Our Impact:

• Investigate crime against persons or property, make arrests, and enforce traffic regulations.
• Write police reports, testify in court, and perform other related law enforcement duties.
• Interface closely with all segments of the community.
• Maintain knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, regulations, and City procedures.
• Complete a Field Training Officer (FTO) program to prepare for patrol duties within designated areas of the City.
• Find additional information in the job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

• You must be POST certified* or have previous experience as a California Peace Officer to be considered for this position.
• High school diploma or equivalent, completion of 60 college level units or an AA degree and or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Requires possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver license.

*Please attach a copy of your P.O.S.T. certificate if you are not currently working for a California law enforcement agency.

All applicants must be able to pass the Public Safety background check process.
The CityIrvine is recognized as one of America's Best Places to Live, according toMoney Magazine. The City of Irvine has the distinction of being one of the safest cities in the United States with a population of more than 100,000, based upon FBI statistics on violent crime.

Your TeamThe is a full-service public safety agency that provides several special program areas including Emergency Management, Crime Prevention, DARE, School Resource Officer, K-9s, Traffic Enforcement, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, General Investigation, Crime Scene Investigation, Special Investigation (vice & narcotics), and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). Irvine is committed to a full community-oriented policing concept that interfaces closely with all segments of the community.

The ProcessThe selection process will include an expedited oral examination process, and background investigation prior to appointment. All applicants must be able to pass the Public Safety background check process. This includes, but is not limited to, the review of legal documents, police and driving records, credit profile, motor vehicle insurance, vehicle operation, prior employment records, and performance reviews. Information about the public safety background process may be found at our page.

This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization. This is a continuous recruitment and interested applicants should submit their application as soon as possible. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.
2025/2026 Calendar

Oral Interviews*
10/23/2025
11/19/202512/17/20251/29/20262/26/20263/26/20264/23/20265/28/20266/25/20267/23/20268/20/20269/24/202610/22/202611/19/202612/17/2026
*Oral Interview dates are subject to change. *

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.
01

Are you a current or former peace officer in California or have you graduated from a California P.O.S.T. academy or obtained the California P.O.S.T. Basic Course waiver?Note: If you answered NO, you may not be eligible to apply as a Lateral/Academy Graduate. Please apply for the entry level Police Officer Recruit position or email recruitment@cityofirvine.org for additional information.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a P.O.S.T Basic Certificate?

• Yes
• No

03

If you are a lateral officer outside of California, have you started the process for obtaining your California P.O.S.T. Basic Course waiver?

• Yes
• No
• N/A (Not an out-of-state lateral.)

04

If you are not currently working for a California law enforcement agency, please attach a copy of your P.O.S.T. certificate.

• I am currently working as a Police Officer at a California law enforcement agency.
• I am not currently working as a Police Officer for a California law enforcement agency and have attached a copy of my P.O.S.T. certificate

05

Please select your level of experience as a Police Officer or related law enforcement experience.

• 0-1 years
• 1-5 years
• 5-10 years
• 10+ years

06

Please select the number of educational units you currently have.

• 60 or more
• 40-59
• Less than 40

07

Have you previously applied for the position of Police Recruit, Lateral or Academy Graduate with the City of Irvine?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please indicate when you last applied for the position of Police Recruit, Lateral or Academy Graduate with the City of Irvine.(To check your last application date, go to the "Application Status" tab on your governmentjobs.com account).
09

Have you applied to any other agency in the past twelve months?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list all agencies you have applied to in the past twelve months, including: the date of the application, the position you applied for with that agency, and state the current status for each (e.g. eligibility list, withdrew, disqualified*, pending/in process):
11

If you have served in the military, please include the details of your military service below.
12

Are you a member of CalPERS by previous employment? This means you have funds on deposit or service credit with CalPERS.

• Yes
• No

13

Have you ever been terminated or asked to resign from a previous employer?

• Yes
• No

14

If you answered "yes" to the above question, please include details of your termination below.
15

Why are you interested in a lateral transfer to the Irvine Police Department?
Required Question