Police Officer

ABOUT GALT

The City of Galt, located in the heart of California's Central Valley, offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern convenience. Known for its friendly community, excellent schools, and beautiful parks, Galt is an ideal place to live, work, and play. Conveniently situated along Highway 99, Galt provides easy access to both Sacramento and the Bay Area, making it a desirable location for families and professionals alike. The city hosts popular events such as the Galt Market, a vibrant open-air market that draws visitors from across the region. With a strong sense of community, affordable housing, and plenty of recreational opportunities, Galt is a growing city that still holds on to its welcoming, hometown feel. Join us in Galt \u2014 the Great American Little Town.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Galt is accepting applications for Police Officer.

• This is a continuous recruitment and may be closed at any time. Testing will be conducted on a rolling basis once a sufficient number of applications has been received, as determined by the City of Galt.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE HIRED ON AS

POLICE OFFICER

EARNING $39.33 - $48.29 PER HOUR

 PLUS THE ABILITY TO EARN

UP TO

AN ADDITIONAL 10% IN EDUCATION INCENTIVES

BASE PAY:

Current Salary: $39.33 - $48.29 ($81,806.40 - $100,443.20 annually)*

Effective July 2026 salary: $41.30 - $50.70 ($85,904 - $105,456 annually)*

• Annual salary shown above is based on working 2080 hours per year.

ADDITIONAL PAY (UPON ASSIGNMENT AND ELIGIBILITY):

• Overtime - Paid at time and one-half (1-1/2).
• Bilingual Pay - $100 per month.
• POST Certificate and Education Incentive Pay - 5% - 10%
• Canine Handler - 36.75% of base pay.
• Field Training Officer (FTO) - 5%
• Longevity Pay- Beginning at 8 years of service - 2.5%; 10 years of service 5%; 12 years of service 7.5%
• Medical-in-lieu - Employees who waive medical coverage shall receive $200 per month for employee only, $350 per month for employee plus one, and $500 per month for family. 

BENEFITS:

• Home Buying Program - $25,000 interest-free loan to assist with the purchase of a home in Galt city limits.

• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $4,000 per fiscal year.

• Holiday Pay -  14 holidays (shift personnel holiday in lieu pay equal to 9.33 hours of pay each month).

• Vacation Leave - 80 hours per year for the first 4 years of service, 120 hours after 4 years, 160 hours after 10 years, 200 hours after 15 years, and 240 hours after 22 years.

• Vacation Credit - Those with 4+ years of prior public agency experience may request to accrue at a rate of 120 hours.

• Vacation Cash Out- Eligible employees may cash out up to 80 hours per year. 

• Sick Leave - 96 hours per year.

• Health Insurance - City pays a generous portion of the CalPERS medical premium (10 options). City pays 100% for dental and vision premiums.

• Life Insurance - City paid $50,000 policy and $1,500 policy for dependents.

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) - City contributes $100 per month. 

• Long Term Disability - City paid policy-benefit is up to 60% of base salary.

• EAP - Confidential employee assistance plan.

• Wellness Program - Access to peer support, newly updated gym,  and on-duty workout time.

• Uniforms - All uniforms, equipment, and dry cleaning fees are paid for by the department.

• Public Safety Family Counseling - For Police Department personnel.

GPOA/REPRESENTED POSITION 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt/Hourly  

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and community policing duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; makes arrests and transports suspects into custody; assists in processing crime scenes and preserving evidence; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; and performs related work as required. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from an assigned Police Sergeant or management personnel.  Exercises no supervision of staff.    

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

THIS RECRUITMENT IS ONLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATED FROM A CALIFORNIA POST-BASIC PEACE OFFICER ACADEMY WITHIN THE PAST 3 YEARS (DO NOT APPLY IF YOUR ACADEMY CERTIFICATE WILL EXPIRE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF APPLICATION)

This is a sworn journey-level law enforcement class that performs all assignments found in a municipal police department.  While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including investigation, youth services, administration, and training are included.  Incumbents may be armed and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes.  

Emphasis is placed on community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving. This class is distinguished from Police Sergeant in that the latter is the first supervisory level in this sworn class series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff on an assigned shift.EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Patrols the City within an assigned area in a vehicle, or on foot, to protect life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime.
• Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property; resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations. 
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants; takes individuals into custody and transports them to booking facilities.
• Assists in crime scene activities; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; as directed, collects and preserves evidence.
• Assists county legal staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required. 
• Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Operates a standard vehicle to travel to multiple locations in order to perform assigned tasks; transporting equipment as needed, and performing assigned tasks at each worksite.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a municipal law enforcement program.
• Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol; traffic enforcement; accident investigation; crime scene processing; protection of life and property; and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects.
• Mandated and department standard operating procedures.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Community demographics including cultural, social and economic factors.
• Geographic locations within assigned patrol area.
• Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.
• Applicable regulatory relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Operational characteristics and safety practices of vehicles and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper deployment of firearms, chemical agents, impact weapons and vehicles.
• Safety principles and practices, including First Aid and adult and child CPR.
• Methods and techniques of operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Methods and techniques of developing accurate and timely reports on enforcement activities and outcomes.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment which may include, but is not limited to, mobile technology and electronic devices, and software related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups; various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations; and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, other agencies, and City staff.
• Safe driving rules and practices.

 Ability to:

•  Perform law enforcement duties within assignment area and in compliance with mandated and department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and enforce laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Process crime scenes and evidence, ensuring the proper treatment and chain of custody for evidence.
• Maintain self-control, react quickly and make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Ensure the proper safe use and maintenance of assigned law enforcement vehicles, firearms, and related equipment.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written material.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in sensitive situations.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

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:

Equivalent to graduation from high school. Completion of an accredited police academy, two years of college level course work in criminal justice and/or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
• Possession and maintenance of firearms qualification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed material and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.  The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking or running or standing on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards; vision and manual dexterity to operate an emergency response vehicle at high rates of speed in emergency situations.  Finger and manual dexterity is needed to operate police services equipment and firearms, and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work.   Employees must possess the ability to apprehend, lift, carry, push, and pull victims, suspects and equipment as determined within P.O.S.T physical standards, which may include the use of proper equipment.

 Usual Physical Job Duties and Activity Levels:

ConstantFrequentOccasionalInfrequentRarely5+ hours 

per day2.5-5 hours 

per day31 minutes \u2013 2.5 hours per day5-30 minutes 

per day5 minutes or less per day 

• Constant face-to-face interaction and communication with the public and co-workers.
• Occasional interaction with inmates or clients.
• Occasional public interaction via telephone. 
• Frequent lifting and carrying of items of up to 10 pounds; occasional lifting/carrying of 11 to 25 pounds; requirement to lift/carry items of 26-50+ pounds (rarely).
• Constant driving and sitting. 
• Frequent standing and climbing.
• Constant walking which can include for extended periods of time, and on uneven ground.
• Ability to balance on uneven or narrow surfaces and work at heights (infrequent).
• Requirement to run (infrequent). 
• Occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting.
• Constant bending and twisting at the waist.
• Frequent bending and twisting of the neck.
• Constant reaching below the shoulder.
• Occasional reaching above the shoulder.
• Constant use of left and right hands, and ability to hold and grasp.
• Occasional pinching and use of fine finger dexterity.
• Frequent computer use including keyboard and mouse.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 

Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels (infrequent), cold and hot temperatures (frequent), inclement weather conditions, vibrations, confining workspaces, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances including dust, gas, chemicals,fumes (frequent), mechanical and/or electrical and to potentially infectious materials such as bodily fluids including blood, transmissible diseases and needles. Other adverse vision and hearing conditions may include poor lighting, fog, faint sounds, or other poor auditory conditions such as distracting background noise. 

EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a field or police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.  

Constant concentration, decision making, public contact, exercise sound judgment especially under stressful situations; and working alone.

Constant ability to comprehend oral and written instructions, organize thoughts and ideas, apply common sense, and make decisions which have significant impact on performing job and communicate via verbally, routine forms, detailed reports, or informal presentations. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background investigation, including fingerprinting.  Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations.