Police Officer - Entry Level

Police Academy Attendee

The City of La Habra is a vibrant Southern California community, strategically located in the northwest corner of Orange County. Today the City is home to a population of over 63,000 residents within La Habra's 7.3 square miles. A friendly and diverse community, La Habra is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountains, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, Tamale Festival and the jewel of La Habra, its Children's Museum. While the City has planned for and encourages measured growth, it retains a small town feel and lives up to its heritage as "A Caring Community."

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.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

• Operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, firearms and weapons
• Interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances
• Prepare and present clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records
• Analyze solutions to law enforcement problems
• Convey clear instructions or execute commands
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other divisions, police management, city departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public
• Communicate effectively, both orally or in writing
• Accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations
• Think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations
• Relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.

Qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Learn, understand, and interpret laws, ordinances, departmental policies, and regulations
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action
• Write clear and accurate reports
• Physically complete academy training
• Establish and maintain effective relationships and to deal tactfully and effectively with the public

Education/training/experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

• 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:

• Physical demands: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able 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. Able 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.

The work schedule is a 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.

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.