Police Officer- Lateral & Academy Graduate

Description

YOU MUST BE A POST ACADEMY GRADUATE, CURRENT, OR QUALIFYING FORMER POLICE OFFICER TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION.

The Fairfield Police Department serves a diverse community and exists to improve the quality of life in Fairfield. The department is committed to working with our community members to solve problems together. Police Officers are expected to perform a wide variety of sworn peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property; to maintain order and preserve peace; to provide assistance to the public; to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; respond to emergency and non-emergency situations; arrest violators of the law; to conduct investigations and perform other related duties.
 
To learn more about Fairfield PD, please visit http://www.joinffpd.com/ or contact the Police Personnel unit at (707) 428-7360. This recruitment is open and continuous and may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received.  Spanish speaking candidates encouraged to apply.

This position is represented by the Fairfield Police Officers’ Association (FPOA) and receives an excellent benefits package, including: 
 
Additional Compensation and Other Benefits:

• Hiring Incentive - $20,000
• Participation in the CalPERS Retirement System
  • Class PERS members retain 3% at 50 formula
• Holiday Payout – 40 hours per year 
• Personal Leave – 12 hours per year (increases to 16 hours in July 2024)
• Educational Incentives 
  • 2.0% for POST Intermediate Certificate
  • 3.5% for POST Advanced Certificate
  • 2.5% for Associate's Degree
  • 5.0% for Bachelor's Degree
• Longevity Incentive up to 7.5% (based upon years of service)
• Matching city contribution of 2.25% to 401(a) (based upon years of service) (Increases to 4.75% effective July 2024)
• City contribution to 457 deferred compensation plan - $ 150 per month
• City contribution to Retirement Health Savings Plan - $ 100 per month
• Bilingual Pay for qualifying languages
• Uniform Allowance - $1,250/year 
• Initial uniforms and equipment provided upon hire
• Tuition Reimbursement - $6,000/year
• Night shift differential available for FTO’s
• Personally assigned take home vehicle program for employees who live within 6o minutes of Fairfield
• Generous contributions to medical, dental and vision plans
• Options to cash out portions of unused accrued vacation 
• Options to cash out or roll into Deferred Compensation/ Retirement Health Savings portions of accrued unused sick leave hours
• State of the art indoor range and training facility, including indoor range, force option simulator, defensive tactics room, and classrooms.  
• Gym available to employees for on-duty use

NOTE: The maximum posted salary includes all incentives (except hiring bonus incentive) plus proficiency pay. 
 
WORKING CONDITIONS:
On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of a sworn Police Officer's job; involves extensive public contact often in high stress and emotionally charged situations. May be exposed to physical and verbal abuse, or combative suspects, where considerable self-control must be exercised. Work may include substantial periods of time exposed to various weather conditions (including extreme heat and rain), irritants and allergens. Must be able to work nights and weekends, and a 12-hour rotational shift; subject to callouts.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk or in patrol vehicle; walk and stand during patrol activities; bend squat and kneel during inspection of crime scene or conducting searches; run, climb stairs and/or ladders while in the field; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. Continuously wear a utility belt and other police equipment of 30 pounds; and intermittently lift, carry, drag, pull, push, persons or objects weighing at least 160 pounds or less. Work may require considerable physical exertion and exposure to inclement weather, toxic substances, and hazards associated with driving and/or directing traffic. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, normal color vision and hearing acuity are required. Incumbents must meet any other criteria mandated by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives direct supervision from a Police Sergeant.

Minimum Qualifications

ACADEMY GRADUATE:

Experience:
None required.  However, some experience in law enforcement work is preferred.
 
Education:
An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university is required at time of appointment to Police Officer. Appointment to Police Officer occurs after graduation from a POST certified police academy.

• College credits earned while attending the police academy may be applied toward the 60 semester units requirement.
• Candidates may be credited with 36 semester credits for a minimum of 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force and Coast Guard).

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Class C California State Driver's License is required. 
• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Police Academy Certificate dated within 3 years or proof of current enrollment in a California P.O.S.T. Police Academy is required and must be attached to your application.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.
• Must be free of felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.
• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.

LATERAL POLICE OFFICER:

Experience:
A minimum of one (1) year employment as a full-time paid Peace Officer with a P.O.S.T. approved California law enforcement agency is required.
 
Education:
An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university is required.

• Candidates may be credited with up to 36 semester credits for 3 years of full-time peace officer service with another agency.  Lateral hires may receive 12 semester credits for each year of full-time peace officer service with another agency.
• Candidates may be credited with 36 semester credits for a minimum of 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force and Coast Guard).

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Class C California State Driver's License is required.
• Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate is required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.
• Must be free of felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.
• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Examples of Duties
A sample of responsibilities for this position are listed below.  For the complete job description please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfield/classspecs

• Patrol city in radio dispatched car on assigned shift.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency general public service calls and complaints.
• Answer local complaint calls and calls for the protection of life and private property and the enforcement of city, county, and state laws.
• Prepare reports of arrests made, investigations conducted, and illegal incidents observed.
• Operate portable radar equipment to detect traffic violators. Stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of law; warn drivers against unlawful practices and issues citations and makes arrests as required.
• Direct traffic during emergency and congested conditions and at school crossings.
• Preserve peace in the community including at public and private gatherings.
• Remember accounts given by witnesses and identify crime suspects.
• Search, transport, and assist in the booking of prisoners.
• Receive calls from and assist other law enforcement agencies in emergencies.
• Conduct investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, holdups, vehicle accidents and deaths. Take pictures of crime scenes and accidents.
• Interview and interrogate suspects and witnesses.
• Serve writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Assist in conducting special studies of crime prevention, traffic control, or other department projects.
• Participate in training courses and programs. Assist in the training and development of new employees.
• Operate radio, computer and other communication equipment.
• Appear in court to present evidence and testimony in connection with criminal prosecution.
• Administer first aid and provide assistance to the injured.
• Conduct special investigations and projects; make public presentations to schools, businesses, and neighborhood groups.
• Observe children and encourage children to obey safety rules, counsel juvenile offenders.
• Respond to questions, concerns, and requests for service from the general public; provide information as appropriate and resolve complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Safe use and care of firearms.
• Basic English grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, and report writing techniques.
• Basic mathematics.
• Principles of crime prevention and suppression.
• Effective communication and public speaking techniques.
• Problem solving techniques.
• Effective interpersonal relations.
• Computer use and software applications.

Ability to:

• Use de-escalation techniques to resolve tense situations.
• Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and reach sound conclusions.
• Interpret and apply the law to field situations.
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports.
• Maintain composure and take responsible action during stressful situations.
• Analyze situations and adopt a reasonable course of action.
• Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places, and judge situations and persons accurately.
• Use and operate a computer and standard equipment used in the department including firearms, shotguns, batons, mace, tasers, and handcuffs.
• Follow verbal and written directions.
• Respond quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Use tact and maintain cooperative relationships with the public.

Martin Rivera