Police Officer Lateral / Academy Graduate
Join the City of Signal Hill Police Department for a rewarding career, where officers care about their community and the community supports its officers. The department is devoted to enhancing the quality of life in the city by providing a proactive and professional level of police service, and treating all persons with fairness, respect, and dignity.
The City of Signal Hill is searching for qualified lateral / academy graduate applicants. This is not an entry-level position.
Police Officer Lateral : Must be a current non-probationary police officer in good standing with at least one year experience with a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved agency and possession of a California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.
Police Academy Graduate : Must be a graduate of a California P.O.S.T. certified academy.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.
Requirements to file :
- A completed online application and supplemental questions; and
- California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate or Waiver California Applicants : Employed full-time for at least one continuous year in the State of California as a Peace Officer and possession of a valid Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate issued by the State of California (proof required with application). Out of State Applicants : Employed full-time for at least one continuous year of sworn general law enforcement experience and possession of the Basic Course Waiver (BCW) from P.O.S.T. (proof required with application); or
- Proof of graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified academy.
Failure to submit all required materials will result in disqualification. Proof of required documents, such as Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate / Waiver, or DD-214 for Veteran's Credit, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. No email documents will be accepted.
Please note the exam dates listed below are tentative and subject to change. Please regularly monitor your email for communication regarding exam dates.
Examination Plan Weight Tentative Exam Date
Interview 70% August 4, 2025
Writing Skills Exercise 10% August 4, 2025
Command Staff Interview Qualifying August 11, 2025
Under general supervision, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; performs investigative work, and performs a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Patrol
As a Patrol Officer, patrol the City in a radio-equipped car; respond to calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robbery, death, and other criminal incidents.As a Senior Officer, serve as Watch Commander and assist the Field Sergeant with supervisory duties.As a field training officer, train and evaluate officers in law enforcement policies, procedures, and tactics; prepare related reports.Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.Stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices; issue citations and make arrests as necessary.Check buildings for physical security.Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners.Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.Transport prisoners to court; serve warrants and subpoenas; retrieve and request information involving arrests and subpoenas; file complaints and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.Assist with the service of warrants within the Department and with outside agencies; provide functional guidance to clerical staff involved in warrant processing; keep up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.Administer first aid as necessary.Traffic
As a Traffic Officer, patrol the City in a patrol unit; respond to calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies; observe, monitor, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions; assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws.Investigate traffic accidents; determine cause and fault of the accident; prepare related reports and maintain appropriate statistics.Investigations
Coordinate and conduct complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming, and narcotics violations.Participate in a variety of law enforcement activities including enforcing local and state laws, issuing citations, making arrests, and transporting prisoners.Coordinate Police activities with other agencies, including surrounding cities and the County Sheriff's Office.Secure crime scenes; collect and maintain physical evidence, including fingerprints and photographs; conduct initial and follow-up crime scene investigations.General
Supervise the Department firearms range; train and evaluate sworn personnel in the use of firearms; order and maintain ammunition.Inspect and maintain department weapons.Participate in the development of training methods, procedures, and materials.Research information and maintain records related to Department and personal legal liability.Perform crime prevention inspections; research and advise the public on principles and procedures designed to minimize criminal opportunity.Marginal Functions
Perform various related duties as required.
Education
High School graduate or GED equivalent; andSixty college units with an emphasis on criminal justice, administration of justice, or related field is desirable.Experience / Training
Lateral candidates must be employed in good standing with a California P.O.S.T. approved law enforcement agency and successfully completed the probationary period.Certificate / License
Must possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or proof of graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified academy; andValid California Driver's License.Age / Citizenship / Other
Must be age 21 or older;U.S. Citizenship is required or evidence of application for U.S. Citizenship at least six months prior to the date of the employment application; andNo felony convictions.Knowledge of :
Police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques and equipment, jail operations, police reports, and first aid techniques.Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.Self-defense tactics.Interviewing and interrogation techniques.Working knowledge / ability to utilize personal computers.Physical Requirements :
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing skilled movements, such as self-defense or in the use of radar devices, ETS, intoxilizers, and other police equipment.Ability to exert mildly heavy physical effort in moderate