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Job description
The PositionThe City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Lateral and Academy Graduate candidates. Join the SCPD team for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are 94 sworn officers assigned to patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigations, K9 unit, motors and undercover task force assignments. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.Typical Duties(May include, but are not limited to the following):Patrols assigned areas in a motorized vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime and enforce State and local laws.Responds as dispatched to calls concerning traffic accidents, crimes, disorder and emergency situations.Pursues and apprehends suspects.Enforces traffic laws; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and controls crowds.Conducts initial and follow-up investigations of crimes; collects and preserves physical evidence; photographs crime scenes; questions suspects, witnesses, and victims.Makes arrests and transports prisoners.Prepares crime reports, incident reports, traffic collision reports, citations, property reports and special reports as assigned.Participates in the Community Awareness Program, an information program to inform citizens of police functions and crime prevention techniques.Provides escort or traffic control during parades, funerals and special events; coordinates with school crossing guards to assure safety.Prepares cases for prosecution and appears in court as a witness.Processes and serves warrants; serves legal papers such as subpoenas, summons writs, notices, documents.Collects, preserves and transports physical evidence.Answers questions and provides information to the public.Assists and cooperates with other law enforcement and public safety agencies.Performs related duties as assigned within the guidelines or policies of the department.Minimum QualificationsThe minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:Education and ExperienceHigh school graduation or tested equivalent.For Entry Level- Candidates:Possession of a current Academy Completion Certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).For Lateral Transfer Candidates:Possession of a current Basic Law Enforcement Certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesWorking knowledge: Laws pertaining to search and seizure, arrest and interrogation of suspects. Rules of evidence and basic criminal law. The use and care of standard police firearms.Some knowledge: Techniques of criminal investigations. Court procedures in criminal and civil cases.Abilities:Learn modern police procedures and techniques.Understand, interpret and apply State and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to law enforcement.React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action.Pursue, subdue and control and/or physically restrain a suspect.Observe and remember facts and details of incidents.Follow oral and written instructions.Learn to operate firearms safely and skillfully.Obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation.Write clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.Communicate verbally in a clear and effective manner.Deal tactfully and effectively with a wide range of different individuals and groups from the community.Special RequirementsWillingness to work rotating shifts including nights and weekends.Psychological suitability for police work (determined by a psychological exam as required by the California POST Commission).Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation which includes a polygraph examination, credit history, driving record, criminal activity, military and employment records, and character references, (in accordance with the minimum standards for employment issued by the California POST Commission).Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.Physical Condition: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 POST Commission guidelines).Corrected vision of 20/20 for both eyes together. Uncorrected vision of 20/80 for both eyes, for those who wear glasses or hard contact lenses. There is no uncorrected vision standard for individuals who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least one year. Current POST vision guidelines must be met, including those for color, binocular, and peripheral vision.Licenses and Certificates:Possession of at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.Desirable Qualifications:Bilingual and/or bicultural Spanish speaking.Career LadderCareer Ladder:Police ChiefPolice Deputy ChiefPolice LieutenantPolice SergeantPolice Officer
Worksite address
santa cruz, CA, 95061, US
Who can apply
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