Police Sergeant
Salary
$54.90 - $70.06 Hourly
Location
Police Department - 600 10th Street Modesto, CA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
04632
Department
Modesto Police Department
Opening Date
05/27/2026
Closing Date
6/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
MPMA
The Position
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
To plan, supervise, and direct the operations of a large or complex police squad or unit; to supervise police field operations on an assigned shift; and to perform a variety of community relations and administrative and technical duties in support of the department.
Application Process:
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicants responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" section of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME".
The following information is provided for use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations. Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.
Tentative Testing Schedule
Candidates invited to test will be contacted to schedule the testing.
As part of the testing process, candidates will need to read and review the following items before testing:
The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Essential and Marginal Function Statements
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
Plan, supervise, and direct the activities of personnel assigned to field operations, investigative services, administrative services, and other units, programs, and activities; provide overall technical and administrative direction to assigned personnel; maintain discipline and ensure that rules and policies are followed; advise and counsel subordinate officers; follow up on problems and complaints.
Assume command at major crimes, accident scenes, and emergencies; supervise crime scene, fatality, or serious injury accident investigations; ensure proper collection, preservation, and handling of physical evidence and property; supervise criminal investigations including crimes against persons and property, narcotics, juvenile offenses, and related felony crimes.
Participate in the selection of staff; review and evaluate staff performance; work with employees to correct deficiencies; recommend and implement disciplinary actions.
Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for providing effective services and support in assigned area of responsibility; implement policies and procedures.
Review the work of departmental personnel to ensure compliance with department policies and procedures; review reports submitted by officers to verify completeness and the achievement of prescribed standards; coordinate allocated resources to accomplish assigned functions.
Plan, coordinate, and supervise traffic control activities for special events, parades, and street closures; coordinate selective traffic enforcement program; oversee parking enforcement activities.
Analyze crime and traffic patterns and trends; evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend and implement improvements and modifications; prepare correspondence; prepare and present a variety of statistical and narrative reports.
Maintain liaison with other departments, divisions, outside agencies and organizations, and members of the media; respond to inquiries from the general public, press media, and outside agencies; represent the Police Department at civic organizations and events.
Receive, investigate, and respond to citizen complaints related to Department activities.
Oversee training activities for departmental personnel; advise and instruct sworn and nonsworn staff regarding applicable policies, procedures, and tactics.
Act as Watch Commander or other unit Commander, as assigned.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.
Marginal Functions:
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Police methods and procedures related to patrol, traffic control, and investigation and identification techniques.
Departmental rules and regulations.
Criminal law related to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies.
Rules of evidence pertaining to the search, seizure, and preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
Budgeting procedures and techniques.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to:
Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
Supervise and direct assigned area of responsibility.
Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Interpret, explain, and apply City and department laws, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Use and care for firearms.
Demonstrate powers of observation and memory.
Administer a budget.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible full-time sworn law enforcement experience with the Modesto Police Department.
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of 60 college semester units from an accredited college or university with major course work in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field. An Associate's degree is desirable.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California drivers license.
Possession of a P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate.
Physical and Mental Requirements
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Positions require occasional overtime or weekend work and the ability to travel.
MODESTO POLICE OFFICE ASSOCIATION - MANAGEMENT (FORMERLY MPMA)
Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 3% @ 55 or the 2.7% @ 57 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution plus an additional 3% Cost-Share. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).
HOLIDAYS: 10 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of holiday credit.
VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of two weeks per year, with incremental increases to five weeks at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to two times their annual accrual.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,200 hours.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: Eighty hours of Management Leave is provided annually to Lieutenants, with up to 60 hours of unused Management Leave available for cash out each December.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The Citys monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,110.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 748.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.
LIFE INSURANCE in the amount of $120,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.
PHYSICAL EXAM: A comprehensive exam is provided once per year, at City expense.
SPECIAL PAY(S): Advanced POST Pay is currently 5% and Supervisory POST Certificate shall be eligible for 10%
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With a 2% contribution by the employee, the City will contribute 1.25% of salary, (increasing to 1.5% at 9 years of service) to a voluntary 457 Plan
RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE: $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $120 per month.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense. In addition, the department contracts for specialized counseling services for employees and dependents.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Bachelors Pay in the amount of 2.5% of salary and Masters Pay in the amount of 1.5% of salary is available to employees with one year of service who possess a Bachelor's Degree or Masters Degree (or Juris Doctor) from an accredited institution. Maximum amount of 4%.
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: Uniform allowance of $101.67 per month.
CITY CAR/CAR ALLOWANCE: Some positions receive a City vehicle.
SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
01
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions. I understand these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application. I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.
02
Do you possess a valid California Drivers License?
03
Do you posses a POST Intermediate Certificate
Required Question
Employer City of Modesto
Address 1010 10th Street, Suite 2200
P.O. Box 642
Modesto, California, 95353
Phone (209) 577-5402
Website http://www.modestogov.com