Pre-Service Police Officer

Police Officer (Pre-Service)

The City of Rialto is seeking to fill a Police Officer (Pre-Service) vacancy within the Police Department. The Rialto Police Department is dedicated to selecting those individuals who meet the highest of professional standards with a commitment to serving all members of their community with sensitivity, empathy, and impartiality. Under direct supervision, a Police Officer will perform a variety of peace officer duties in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, crime prevention and suppression; perform assignments in specialized areas including; motorcycle patrol, K-9 programs, street crime prevention, gang suppression, community oriented policing, and related program areas. Additionally, a Police Officer will perform a variety of duties relative to an assigned area responsibility. The ideal candidate exhibits a strong leadership, innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to service. The City is looking for individuals willing to join a culture that embraces industry best practices and innovation through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Performs a variety of peace officer duties in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, and crime prevention and suppression; performs assignments in specialized areas including motorcycle patrol, K-9 program, street crime prevention, gang suppression, community oriented police and related program areas.
2. Enforces state, local and federal laws and ordinances; issues verbal warnings and citations; pursues and apprehends suspects; coordinates crime scene control and investigation activities.
3. Patrols a designated area of the City to ensure security of life and property, observe situations and deter or prevent the commission of crimes; enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
4. Responds to general public service and crime victim calls, traffic hazards, stray animal reports and related misdemeanors and felony incidents; deploys police dog to protect self and others as assigned.
5. Plans, executes, writes and serves search warrants; search suspects, vehicles, residences and buildings for evidence, contraband, and lost or missing people.
6. Serves arrest warrants; makes arrests for crimes committed under penal and institute codes; performs booking procedures for new prisoners; contacts and interviews suspects and witnesses to gain additional information.
7. Processes and stores evidence and property found at various crime scenes; maintains records and enters data into computer as necessary.
8. Investigates traffic accidents and incidents; responds to calls; requests emergency services as required; provides traffic and crowd control.
9. Prepares a variety of reports and documents on assigned cases; prepares and maintains files; ensures documentation of all case activities.
10. Reviews and investigates reports related to vehicle theft/accidents and cellular phone fraud; identifies locations of illicit drug use and sales.
11. Provides assistance in a variety of investigations relative to assigned area of responsibility including narcotics, crime suppression and theft; gathers information from witnesses and informants; interviews suspects; prepares reports and follows up on investigations.
12. Testifies in court and associated hearings; prepares and processes documents and reports as assigned.
13. Maintains and operates specialized police surveillance equipment including transmitters, radios and cameras.
14. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required; within the scope of this classification.

Knowledge of: Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts; techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile and emergency situations; safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work inclusive of:

• Operations, services and activities of a law enforcement program.
• Law enforcement terminology and concepts.
• Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control and investigation.
• Methods and techniques of investigating criminal activity.
• Problem solving methods and techniques.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and preservation.
• Laws governing the rights of citizens including apprehension, arrest and custody procedures.
• Methods and techniques of communicating and implementing crime prevention programs.
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.
• Operational characteristics of police equipment and tools.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to: Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics and facts of incidents; remain calm and take appropriate action in tense situations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; read, interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies; make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines; prepare clear and concise reports, records and other written materials; understand and follow oral and written directions; learn the principles, practices, procedures, laws and ordinances, terminology and operation of equipment used in law enforcement and crime prevention and investigation.

• Perform a wide range of law enforcement assignments.
• Use and care for firearms and other police equipment.
• Prepare clear and concise reports on criminal activities.
• Interpret and enforce City and Sate laws, codes and ordinances.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Graduation from High School or equivalent and successful completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Police Academy.

Additional Information: Education, Training, and Experience: Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade; some college level training in police science, criminal justice or a related field is desirable. Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license; must possess satisfactory hearing capabilities and visual acuity and be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards; must be willing to work evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts; must be able to maintain firearms qualification.

• Must be a recent graduate of a California Commission on P.O.S.T. Academy (within the most recent 6 months); or
• Previously employed as a Police Officer within the State of California within three (3) years of application, or
• Be currently employed as an out-of-state Officer with a valid POST waiver, or
• Currently employed as a Peace Officer within the State of California, but NOT possessing a California Basic POST Certification.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate or a valid California POST Basic Course Waiver at time of application. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.

Additional Requirements:

• Must currently be employed as a sworn Peace Officer, in good standing.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must successfully complete a comprehensive POST background investigation, physical examination and psychological evaluation.
• Must possess U.S. Citizenship at time of appointment.

Background Check Process:

All appointments to this position are subject to the successful completion of an in-depth background investigation conducted by the Rialto Police Department as well as a physical examination including a drug screening. The background investigation is a rigorous process. A typical background investigation includes but is not limited to: background interviews with individuals designated by the Rialto Police Department (this may include current and former co-workers, friends, relatives, neighbors, or any other relevant individual), criminal background check, credit check, polygraph examination, and physiological evaluation. Candidates may be disqualified from further consideration during the background investigation for a variety of reasons including if they have: an excessive number of traffic citations and/or collisions; arrests and/or convictions; a history of illegal substance abuse; poor credit history (factors include bankruptcy, foreclosures, liens and repossessions); or thefts from a previous employer. For clarification of any of the above disqualifying reasons, please call the Police Department Personnel and Training Unit at (909) 421-4926.

The following list describes some areas that are covered in the background investigation:

• Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for this position.
• The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.
• You must list a history of your residences.
• Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.
• Military service records are subject to verification.