Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer Position

Hiring bonus $40,000 ($4,000 upon hire; $6,000 upon successful completion of field officer training; $6,000 upon successful completion of second year of employment; $8,000 at the completion of third year of employment; $8,000 at the completion of fourth year of employment; and $8,000 at the completion of fifth year of employment with the City of Scotts Valley. This specific portion of the policy is limited to the fiscal year funding availability, as determined by the City Manager.

Lateral salary: $7,955 - $10,662 per month. You would not start at a step lower than your present pay step, except that top step is the highest step anyone can attain. Salary also includes an automatic 8 hrs. straight time each month due to 3/12 shift and 9.5 hrs. straight time for monthly holiday pay.

Benefits include retirement, health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, uniform allowance, vacation, holidays, longevity pay, sick leave, pre-tax deductions, deferred compensation, bilingual pay, education incentive, and other benefits including access to credit union, tuition reimbursement for job-related courses approved by the Chief of Police, employee membership in PORAC Union Representation, direct payroll deposit, deferred compensation plan, and retiree medical benefit.

All police patrol personnel currently work a 12 hour / 3-4 day work schedule.

Minimum qualifications include a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License (Class C /Class 3), possession of a current Basic POST Certificate, current employment with a law enforcement agency, high school graduation or G.E.D. certificate/equivalent, proof at time of application that candidate will be 21 years old by date of hire, must be U.S. citizen or must have applied for citizenship and will obtain citizenship within 3 years, record free of any felony convictions, must reside or be willing to relocate within a 60 minute drive to the police department, physical health, strength, and agility necessary to meet the physical demands of police work, as determined by a physical agility test and a medical exam based on current California's Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) guidelines, and vision standards as specified.

The position involves patrol the city in radio dispatched vehicles and on foot; answer calls for protection of life and property; enforcement of City, State and Federal laws; traffic law enforcement; operate radar equipment; suppress crime by interrogation of suspicious persons, observe unusual situations on patrol beat, and settle disputes and arguments. Perform traffic control, accident investigation, render emergency assistance to citizens in need of immediate help; transport prisoners; serve warrants, participate in investigations of felonies and misdemeanors; interview persons involved in crimes and accidents; document incidents utilizing computers; perform security checks of public, commercial and residential buildings; observe assigned area for suspicious activities and unsafe conditions; provide assistance to other officers and law enforcement agencies. Participate in community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving.

The Scotts Valley Police Department serves a community of over 11,000 citizens. During work hours, the population may swell to over 30,000. There are 22 sworn police officers assigned to such areas as patrol, traffic enforcement, investigations, juvenile, training, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). The Scotts Valley Police Department is a service oriented agency.

Applications are required to fill out and complete a City application. Lateral level applicants are also required to complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) – Peace Officer at the following link and email it to the police department's Administrative Secretary at : (Download PDF reader)

Candidates will be required to participate in a pre-screening interview. Those who pass the pre-screening interview will be placed on an eligibility list until such time as a position is available. Upon availability, eligibility list candidates will be invited to a selection interview to assess an applicant's experience, education, judgment, oral communication skills and interpersonal skills.

All candidates who receive a score of 80% or more on the selection interview will be placed on a hiring list. As openings occur, top candidates will be selected for a background investigation in accordance with the POST Commission and Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines.

Candidates will also be required to successfully complete, to the satisfaction of this department, a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City selected physician (to include a back X-ray and general physical examination). In addition to the qualifications noted above, suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: moral character, handling stress and adversity, work habits, interactions with others and intellectually based abilities.