Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)

Job Description

Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate) | Arroyo Grande Police Department

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the Arroyo Grande Police Department, located in Arroyo Grande, CA. The department provides comprehensive police services, focusing on law enforcement, crime prevention, investigation, patrol, and traffic regulation programs. This role is crucial for maintaining public safety, ensuring order within the City, and upholding federal, state, and local laws without bias or favoritism.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Arroyo Grande, CA

• Team: Receives general supervision from higher-level law enforcement staff.
• Mission: To deliver and support comprehensive police services, ensuring public safety and maintaining order within the City.
• Tech Stack: Police Department’s computerized records management system, modern police equipment, office equipment, computers, word processing applications.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Patrol & Enforce: Patrol the City in various modes to respond to calls for police service, preserve law and order, and enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Investigate Crimes: Conduct appropriate preliminary and follow-up investigations of criminal activity, including contacting victims, witnesses, and suspects, and collecting evidence.
• Respond to Incidents: Make arrests, perform booking procedures for prisoners, and conduct searches for evidence, contraband, or lost persons.
• Document & Report: Prepare clear, concise, and correct written reports using the Police Department’s computerized records management system in a timely manner.
• Testify & Train: Appear in court or at hearings as directed to present evidence and testify, and participate in required training exercises and classes.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Graduation from high school or GED Certificate; good moral character; minimum 21 years of age; eyesight correctable to 20/20 in better eye and 20/25 in lesser eye, free from color blindness; ability to meet Department’s personal appearance standards.
• Experience: For lateral candidates, possession of a California POST Regular Basic Certificate and recent employment (within past 3 years) as a California peace officer or completion of a POST Certified Requalification Course is required by the date of employment. For academy graduates, successful completion of a police academy program with a P.O.S.T. certificate is required.
• Skills: Ability to perform a wide range of law enforcement duties including identifying and responding to emergency situations; proficiency in the use and care of firearms and other police equipment; ability to operate a motor vehicle safely; strong oral and written communication skills to prepare reports and interact with the public; physical condition appropriate for duties such as bending, running, and prolonged standing.
• Bonus: Thirty college semester units (45 quarter units) from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, police science, or a job-related field is highly desirable.