Police Community Service Officer I

The Position

About the Police Department

The Carlsbad Police Department is a full service police department that prides itself on its strong partnership with the community. Through the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the police department, and the support of City Council members and the community, Carlsbad continues to be a safe community to live, work and play.

• The City of Carlsbad ranks among California's safest cities.
• Carlsbad residents report high satisfaction with police services; recent survey results indicate that over 90% of the residents are satisfied with police service.

You belong in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

The Position

The Carlsbad Police Department's "Ideal Candidate" exemplifies department values, is a leader, role model, team player and problem solver. Under general direction, this position receives, evaluates and acts upon emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio communications which range from routine to the complex in the support of municipal law enforcement and fire departments.

The Community Service Officer I, under direct supervision, performs a variety of routine community service, paraprofessional and technical duties in support of police functions in assigned divisions of the Police Department; and performs other related work.

The Community Service Officer I normally has little experience involving police work. Community Service Officer I will be exposed to a variety of assignments and cross-trainings. Within one year from date of hire, employee incumbents in the Community Service Officer I class assist in a variety of non-sworn responsibilities supporting law enforcement functions that are limited to duties of a routine nature, such as clerical duties and fieldwork.

The Community Service Officer I focuses on police support and specialized tasks in critical or sensitive functional areas, such as assisting in investigations, maintaining evidence, chain of custody, or crime scene evidence collections, and coordinating special projects and or events.

Recruitment Process and Timeline :

Closing Date : November 6, 2025 at 5 : 00 p.m.

Written Test : Week of November 17, 2025 exact date TBD

Panel Interview : Week of December 1, 2025, exact date TBD

Selection Process

Key Responsibilities

Receives and responds to citizen inquiries and requests for police services in person and by telephone.

Interacts with victims, suspects, and witnesses.

Photographs and fingerprints individuals.

Conducts criminal investigations and writes crime reports.

Performs clerical tasks related to assignments.

Conducts traffic collision investigations and writes traffic collision reports.

Conducts research and compiles information to support law enforcement functions.

Performs delivery and pick-up of : materials for court processing, police vehicles and equipment for service or repair, and department supplies as assigned.

Assists in the maintenance and deposition of stolen or lost / found property.

Conducts parking enforcement by educating, issuing citations and warnings.

Qualifications

Knowledge of :

General office practices including operation of standard office equipment including a computer terminal.

Basic record keeping principles and practices.

Basic vehicle maintenance tasks.

Ability to :

Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Write clear and accurate reports.

Perform routine clerical tasks.

Deal tactfully and courteously with employees and the public.

Learn, apply, and explain departmental policies, rules, instructions, laws and regulations related to assigned tasks.

Operate computer terminal keyboards to enter and query information.

Experience & Education

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical background may include :

Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of full-time responsible public contact experience. Familiarity of law enforcement functions is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

Incumbents at all levels must be able to work a flexible schedule requiring rotating shifts including weekend and holiday assignments, as may be expected in working for a department operating on a 24-hour, 7 day per week schedule.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Officers are required to wear a full uniform, duty belt and ballistic vest in the performance of their day to day operations.