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Huntington Beach Police Department

About Us

 
Chief of Police, Eric ParraA 33-year law enforcement veteran, Mr. Parra's career began with the Sheriff’s Department in 1987 when he attended the Department's Training Academy as a member of Class #236. After graduating as a Deputy Sheriff, he held assignments at Men's Central Jail and Lynwood Station. Mr. Parra was promoted to Sergeant in 1993 and worked at Pitchess Detention Center - South Facility, Lakewood Station, Special Enforcement Bureau, and the Office of the Sheriff.
 
In 2000, Mr. Parra was promoted to Lieutenant and worked at the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau, Los Angeles County Strategic Planning Bureau (LASD2), Industry Station, and Special Enforcement Bureau. In 2004, Mr. Parra was promoted to Captain and served as the unit commander for the Emergency Operations Bureau and the Reserve Forces Bureau. In 2010, Mr. Parra was promoted to Commander in the Custody Division. In 2011, Mr. Parra was selected as a member of the Commander's Management Task Force responsible for implementing reforms in the Custody Division. In 2012, Mr. Parra returned to the Custody Division to serve as the overall Operations Commander. In 2013, Mr. Parra was promoted to Division Chief of Custody Division, where he oversaw reform efforts and managed daily operations of the Custody Services Division, General Population. In 2017, Mr. Parra was transferred to East Patrol Division, where he managed six patrol stations, twelve contract cities and thirty­one unincorporated areas.

Most recently, Mr. Parra served as the Chief of Police for the City of Alhambra. While in Alhambra, Mr. Parra implemented the Area Command Model for responsible policing, allowing for greater accountability and community involvement. He also enhanced the City’s homeless outreach efforts by partnering officers with mental health clinicians to better address the needs of unhoused persons.

Mr. Parra graduated with a bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice from California State University, Long Beach, and holds a Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law.  He is also a member of the California State Bar.

Mr. Parra resides in Huntington Beach and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children during his off-duty time.
Jun 22, 2026
Part time
DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT (Entry/Journey/Experienced) - Beach Parking Enforcement
$16.90 - $23.11 hourly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
The current vacancy is in the  Community and Library Services Department - Beach Operations - Parking & Camping Division . The  Ideal Candidate  possesses effective communication and cooperative interpersonal skills, excellent customer service skills, is physically fit enough to stand or walk for the entirety of a shift, and has the ability to work well in a busy environment where attention to detail is important. The incumbent may work shifts as early as 5:00 AM and as late as 12:30 AM.  Note :  This recruitment will close when the hiring manager determines that enough qualified applications have been received. This is a Non-Perm, Part-Time position.   Temporary/part-time employment is restricted to 1,000 hours within a 12-month period (July 1 – June 30) and does not qualify to receive City benefits, except those required by law. The City does not belong to the Social Security system. However, enrollment in an...
Jun 22, 2026
Full time
POLICE OFFICER (Academy Trained/Graduate)- Huntington Beach
$8,335 monthly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
Description   THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS UNTIL THE HIRING DEPARTMENT DETERMINES ENOUGH QUALIFIED APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.   The Huntington Beach Police Department is seeking candidates who have graduated from a POST Certified Police Recruit Academy and Training Program.  Perform police duties in an assigned division; patrol, special operations, investigations, or administrative services. Examples of Essential Duties Generally, a police officer's first assignment is to the Patrol Division. After a sufficient period of patrol duty, the police officer becomes eligible for police assignments in the Special Operations Division, Investigations Division, and Administrative Division. Patrols an assigned area of the City by car, motorcycle, or helicopter and investigates suspicious conditions; responds to emergency calls and provides emergency assistance; conducts preliminary and/or follow-up...
Jun 22, 2026
Temp to Perm
POLICE CADET- Huntington Beach
$16.90 - $22.65 hourly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
This is a continuous recruitment.  We will continue to accept applications until the hiring department determines enough qualified applications have been received.  However, we will begin the testing process when a sufficient number of applications have been received and will continue periodic testing after that and per the needs of the Department. Here in Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team.  At this time, we have outstanding opportunities available, as we're looking for the "right people" to serve as Police Cadet with the Police Department.   The Huntington Beach Police Department Cadet program introduces young men and women, ages 18 to 25, to the field of law enforcement. This is a part-time job in which the cadet must be enrolled as a full-time student in high school or college at the time of appointment.  Work hours are...
Jun 22, 2026
Full time
POLICE RECRUIT- Huntington Beach
$5,735 monthly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS UNTIL THE HIRING DEPARTMENT DETERMINES ENOUGH QUALIFIED APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.   THIS RECRUITMENT IS ALSO OPEN TO THOSE CANDIDATES CURRENTLY ATTENDING A POST APPROVED FULL-TIME POLICE ACADEMY  The Huntington Beach Police Department is committed to community-based policing.  We train all our employees to build trusted relationships within our community.  These relationships produce collaborative problem solving within our community while de-emphasizing the paramilitary aspects of law enforcement.       The ideal candidate will be at least 21 years of age by the end of the academy, will have good school/work history and have law enforcement experience such as Police Cadet, Explorer or experience performing other law enforcement related duties. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS  This is an entry level or trainee class where...
Jun 22, 2026
Part time
TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER (Part-Time and/or Seasonal)- Huntington Beach
$20.22 - $27.09 hourly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
Description This is a continuous recruitment.  We will continue to accept applications until the hiring department determines enough qualified applications have been received.    Part-Time/Seasonal Traffic Control Officer   THE HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT is seeking qualified candidates to assist with parking and traffic control, including issuing parking tickets and assisting sworn officers in directing traffic during traffic collisions and other City events.  This position may work part-time year-round or full-time during the summer months (May-September) depending on the needs of the department. DUTIES SUMMARY With general supervision of the Parking/Traffic Control Supervisor, ensures the steady flow of traffic by enforcing all parking regulations set forth by the California Vehicle Code and City Municipal ordinances; provides clear communications with the general public regarding parking regulations; and, performs...
Jun 22, 2026
Full time
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR (TRAINEE)- Huntington Beach
$6,624 monthly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
This is a continuous recruitment.  We will continue to accept applications until the hiring department determines enough qualified applications have been received.  However, we will begin the testing process when 100 applications have been received and will continue periodic testing after that as sufficient numbers of applications are received. DUTIES SUMMARY The fundamental reason for the existence of this classification is to receive and transmit information in the Police Communications Center via telephone, radio calls, written and coded information using a computer aided dispatch system (CADS). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven-days-per-week operation, requiring shift coverage. Incumbents must work assigned shift and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high premium placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and maturity in decision making of...
Jun 22, 2026
Full time
COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR Experienced- Huntington Beach
$6,624 monthly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
This is a continuous recruitment.  We will continue to accept applications until the hiring department determines enough qualified applications have been received. However, we will begin the testing process when 100 applications have been received and will continue periodic testing after that as sufficient numbers of applications are received. DUTIES SUMMARY The fundamental reason for the existence of this classification is to receive and transmit information in the Police Communications Center via telephone, radio calls, written and coded information using a computer aided dispatch system (CADS). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven-days-per-week operation, requiring shift coverage. Incumbents must work assigned shift and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high premium placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and maturity in decision making of...
Jun 22, 2026
Seasonal
DEPARTMENT SERVICES AIDE (ENTRY, JOURNEY, EXPERIENCED) - LIBRARY SECURITY MONITOR
$17.70 - $29.63 hourly
Huntington Beach Police Department Huntington Beach, CA
The current vacancy is in the  Community and Library Services Department - Beach Operations - Parking & Camping Division . The  Ideal Candidate  possesses effective communication and cooperative interpersonal skills, excellent customer service skills, is physically fit enough to stand or walk for the entirety of a shift, and has the ability to work well in a busy environment where attention to detail is important. The incumbent may work shifts as early as 5:00 AM and as late as 12:30 AM.  Note :  This recruitment will close when the hiring manager determines that enough qualified applications have been received. This is a Non-Perm, Part-Time position.   Temporary/part-time employment is restricted to 1,000 hours within a 12-month period (July 1 – June 30) and does not qualify to receive City benefits, except those required by law. The City does not belong to the Social Security system. However, enrollment in an...