Job Summary
San Bernardino Police Officers enjoy a variety of different duty assignments and work experiences that may not be available at other agencies. With highly competitive pay, expanded career opportunities, and the chance for upward mobility, lateral officers find the San Bernardino Police Department to be a great choice.
For Police Academy Graduates, San Bernardino offers the additional training and experience needed to start a career in law enforcement.
Minimum Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience:
- A high school or G.E.D. equivalent
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Successful completion of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Academy Course or a Basic P.O.S.T. Course Waiver.
- Verification of California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy or Basic P.O.S.T Course Waiver completion must be submitted with application.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
- Possession of a valid Class "C" California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy. For out-of-state applicants, a valid driver's license is required. A valid Class "C: California driver's license must be obtained within ten (10) days of appointment (CA Vehicle Code 12405c).
- Free of any felony convictions.
- A citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
- Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
- Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
- Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
If you are interested in a career in law enforcement but have NOT completed the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Academy Course OR obtained a Basic P.O.S.T. Course Waiver you will need to apply for the Law Enforcement Trainee (LET) position. LET applications are accepted on the 1st Monday of every month (excluding December).
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Police Officer is the entry-level position to a career in professional law enforcement in the City of San Bernardino. Works under the supervision of a superior law enforcement officer who reviews work methods and results through reports, personal inspections and discussions. The Police Officer may be recalled to duty in cases of emergency. Experienced Police Officers may be assigned to other divisions such as Investigations, Traffic, MET, Vice and Narcotics.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The following duties are typical for positions in this classification. Any single position may not perform all of these duties and/or may perform similar related duties not listed here:
1. Provides courteous and expeditious customer service to the general public and City department staffs.
2. Enforces federal, state, county and city laws and ordinances; patrols an assigned area on foot, on a motorcycle, or in a radio car; responds to radio messages or telephone instructions and appears at scene of disorder or crime; inspects premises at night and watches likely locations for wanted persons.
3. Inspects business establishments serving alcoholic beverages and entertainment; intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; observes and reports conditions conducive to crime which might endanger public safety; interrogates suspects or persons whose actions are suspicious; investigates complaints involving unusual or suspicious conditions; apprehends and arrests criminals.
4. Conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, holdups, vehicle accidents, deaths or other matters involving possible violations of law; prepares reports on arrests, traffic accidents, offenses, damages to property and investigations conducted; directs traffic; issues verbal warnings or citations for traffic and other minor violations; administers first aid to injured persons and requests medical attention as required.
5. Accomplishes background investigations; appears in court to present evidence and give testimony; serves subpoenas; assists in receiving, searching, booking, fingerprinting; photographing and maintaining the custody of prisoners and property; provides escort or guard services for parades or public meetings; demonstrates the use of firearms in accordance with departmental policy.
6. Supervises and assists clerical employees engaged in complaint receipt and record searching; acts as a complaint desk officer and as an in-service instructor in police courses; participates in training courses and programs; relieves a superior police officer as required; supervises the operation and maintenance of the range and crossing guard activities; gives directions and information to the public; routinely adheres to and maintains a positive attitude towards City and department goals; and, performs related work as required.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
1. Current applicable federal, state and municipal laws and ordinances.
2. Departmental rules and regulations.
3. Principles and practices of a municipal police administration and organization.
4. Police requirements and limitations of police authority.
5. Laws, governing custody of persons, search and seizure, admissibility and presentation of evidence and laws of arrest and court procedures.
6. Basic computer operations and functions.
7. Basic mathematics.
8. Correct English usage, including grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Ability to:
1. Read and understand departmental policies, rules, regulations, instructions, laws and law enforcement literature.
2. Learn the use and care of firearms.
3. Remember names, faces, facts and details of incidents.
4. Write legibly.
5. Type on a computer keyboard.
6. Read and comprehend at the twelfth-grade level.
7. Write clear, accurate and comprehensive reports.
8. Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective and responsible course of action giving due regard to the surrounding hazards and circumstances of each situation.
9. Operate an automobile skillfully.
10. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
11. Accomplish various clerical duties.
12. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
13. Demonstrate good judgment, character, reputation, superior poise, bearing, alertness and emotional stability.
14. Cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.
15. Establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.
Minimum Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent; and successful completion of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Academy Course or a Basic P.O.S.T. Course Waiver.
Verification of California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy or Basic P.O.S.T Course Waiver completion must be submitted with application.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid Class "C" California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy. For out-of-state applicants, a valid driver's license is required. A valid Class "C: California driver's license must be obtained within ten (10) days of appointment (CA Vehicle Code 12405c).
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Free of any felony convictions.
A citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hand and arms; stand; talk and hear; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and lift or move up to 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee may regularly work in outside weather conditions or in an office environment. The noises level depends on the employee's environment.
Martin Rivera
