Police Officer (Lateral)

Police Officer (Lateral) Salary: $8,596.00 - $11,519.00 Monthly

Location: Salinas Police Services Headquarters, CA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 26-00706 Department: Police Opening Date: January 6, 2026 Closing Date: Continuous

Job Description

The Salinas Police Department invites motivated individuals who are current sworn law enforcement officers to apply for the Police Officer Lateral position. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to serve the Salinas community and be a part of a hard-working team at the cutting edge of law enforcement. The department strives for excellence by training and developing employees to their highest potential. As a department, we lead by example.

Hiring Incentive

The first 15 lateral officers hired on or after April 5, 2024, will receive a $40,000 hiring incentive. The incentive will be paid as follows:

• $10,000 at time of hire
• $10,000 upon successful completion of the departments field training program
• $10,000 one year from the completion of the field training program
• $10,000 two years from the completion of the field training program

An eligible City of Salinas employee who refers a lateral candidate will receive $2,500. Please ensure that you provide the name of the employee who referred you in the supplemental question section of your application.

Requirements

California Lateral Applicants

• Must have completed a valid POST police academy
• Must possess or be eligible for a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate
• Copy of certificate, copy of POST profile, or letter from POST must be attached to the application
• Be in good standing with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)

Out-of-State Applicants

• Must possess a valid state drivers license issued by the state of residency
• Must obtain a California Class C drivers license before being appointed to the position of Police Officer with the Salinas Police Department
• Must meet requirements for Basic Course Waiver for out-of-state applicants issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Must have completed a police academy in the state of residency
• Copy of certificate must be attached to the application
• Must currently be employed as a sworn law enforcement officer with at least one year of experience

Summary of Duties

Under direction, utilizes specialized training and equipment to protect life and property by enforcing laws and preventing crimes. Responsibilities may include:

• Patrolling in a police vehicle or on foot
• Responding to calls for service
• Conducting investigations
• Providing information and assistance to the public
• Preparing and participating in planned events
• Preparing for and attending court
• Working closely with community members to preserve the peace and promote public safety

Distinguishing Characteristics

Incumbents may enter the class either as a recruit, academy graduate, or lateral status. Police recruits are entry-level positions with little or no related training or experience required. Recruits must complete a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified basic law enforcement training academy prior to appointment to probationary status as a police officer. Academy graduates and lateral entry police officers are appointed to full probationary status at time of hire.

Essential Job Functions

• Patrol Division Assignment

• Operates a police vehicle, and/or walks a foot beat in patrolling an assigned area

• Operates a Mobile Computer Terminal, radio, and assigned equipment

• Promotes community policing by communicating with community members regarding potential problems in assigned area

• Explains laws, ordinances, and their rights to residents, in resolving disputes

• May attend community meetings and participate in community-based programs

• Enforces state, local, and federal laws and ordinances governing public safety

• Issues verbal warnings and citations

• Responds to calls for service; resolves disputes; responds to accidents and renders first aid

• Prepares and documents cases, completes reports, and may maintain other records as necessary

• Coordinates crime scene control and conducts investigations, including search area for suspects or evidence

• Participates in various in-service training, legislatively mandated, and California P.O.S.T. mandated training

• Collaborates and works with a wide range of internal departments and external agencies; provides reports, background checks, database inquiries, verification for lost or stolen items, including missing persons (Department of Justice validation lists) and other orders or requests

• Performs other duties as assigned

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to maintain physical and emotional conditioning to optimally perform in this position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, type, use telephone, two-way radio, computer, use and control of firearms; see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print on documents and maps, detect subtle shades of color; hearing sufficient to conduct in-person and telephone and two-way radio conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at fifty feet of distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, climb over obstacles such as fences and walls while running in foot pursuit of a crime suspect; physical mobility sufficient to move in and out of a vehicle repeatedly, sprint from a stand-still; physical strength to carry 30 pounds of equipment on the body for period of at least ten hours per shift, occasionally lift more than 120 pounds, repetitively lift up to 100 pounds; physical stamina sufficient to sit and drive for prolonged periods of time, mental acuity and alertness to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw rapid valid conclusions, make rapid valid judgments and decisions.

Education and Licenses

• High School Diploma/GED
• A California State Driver's License
• Licenses and Certifications: A California State Driver's License

Physical Requirements

• Must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter

Veteran's Preference

A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City's Veteran's Preference Application and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veterans preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Selection Process

Applicants' qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center, and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary.

City Communication Regarding the Selection Process

CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement.

EEO Utilization Report

EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.

Salary Steps

The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)

For a complete listing of benefits, please click here to visit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this position.

Pre-Investigative Questionnaire

As an applicant with the Salinas Police Department, you are required to complete this Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. The information in this form will be used during the pre-employment screening process in determining your suitability for the position. It is your responsibility to complete this form and provide the required information. You must respond to all questions. Applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or disability-related information. Answers are also subject to verification by polygraph and/or medical examination including but not limited to, a drug screening.

Acknowledgement

Please acknowledge that you have read the above statement.

Additional Questions

1. Do you currently possess a valid California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and are employed with a California P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency or have been employed as a sworn law enforcement officer by a California P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency in the last three years? If you answer "No", please review the Police Recruit (Entry Level) or Police Officer (Academy Graduate) job posting.

2. As an applicant with the Salinas Police Department, you are required to complete this Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. The information in this form will be used during the pre-employment screening process in determining your suitability for the position. It is your responsibility to complete this form and provide the required information. You must respond to all questions. Applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or disability-related information. Answers are also subject to verification by polygraph and/or medical examination including but not limited to, a drug screening.

3. Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past three years?

4. Have