Salary : $108,168.00 - $143,160.00 Annually
Location : Public Safety Building -- 10900 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-31
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/28/2026

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Join our team as a Police Officer and make a difference in the community through dedicated service, professional policing, and a commitment to public safety!
What is the Role?
El Cerrito Police Department is a modern, well-managed department providing police services to a community of over 25,000 members. The department offers many opportunities for professional growth including: Investigations, Field Training, Hostage Negotiation Team, Special Response Team, and K9.

This position requires an ability to learn and interpret laws, regulations, policies and procedures; carry out oral and written directions; analyze situations and make quick decisions requiring sound judgment; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and meet the on-going physical requirements of the position.
City Perks

• CalPERS Retirement: CalPERS Classic members 3% @ 50 and PEPRA members 2.7% @ 57 retirement formula. Classic employee contribution - 12%, PEPRA employee contribution - 13.75%.
• Medical/Dental Insurance: Fully paid medical coverage (up to the Kaiser family rate) and dental coverage for employees and their dependents ($38,064 annual value); cash in lieu option available at $350 per month.
• Life Insurance: The City pays for basic life insurance up to $100,000.
• Short-Term/Long-Term Disability Insurance: 2/3rds of salary up to the maximum monthly.
• Voluntary Benefits: Supplemental Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Plans and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offered.
• Holidays: 11 holidays per year, plus 3 floating holidays and 1 birthday holiday.
• Vacation: Vacation ranging from 11 - 33 days per year based on years of service. (Prior public service years may be considered for initial accrual year placement in offer process for laterals).
• Sick Leave: Accrued at 10 hours per month.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Cost reimbursement up to the maximum of $3,500/fiscal year for work related studies.
• Bilingual Pay: The City pays $1,200 per year to employees who are bilingual and who have passed a proficiency test provided by the City.
• Retiree Health Savings Account: The City contributes $200 per pay period towards a post retiree health savings account; employee contribution is $100 per pay period.
• Longevity Pay: The City pays longevity pay at a percentage of base pay, dependent on years of service with the City of El Cerrito - 3% at year 5; 6% at year 10, and 9% at year 20.
• Education Incentive: 3% for an AA/AS degree, 5% for a BA/BS, or 6% for an MA degree.
• Specialty Pay: 5% extra for detective, traffic, K-9, community liaison and any other specialty assignment.
• Uniform Allowance: The City pays $1,000 (annually) towards uniforms.
• Wellness Program: Access to an array of wellness programs offered by the City such as massage days, fitness and meditation classes, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Are We a Match?

• You enjoy community focused policing and building relationships with members of the public, businesses, and community partners.
• You can make thoughtful decisions in rapidly changing situations.
• You can communicate with professionalism and empathy, especially during difficult or stressful interactions.
• You value working in a diverse community.
• You are adaptable and can handle complex incidents or unexpected situations.
• You want to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the community.

For additional recruitment information, visit our website:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (DUTIES)

Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public.
• Patrols an area of the City to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; conducts comprehensive investigations; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with concerns or unusual situations; communicates with community stakeholders on quality-of-life issues and facilitates discussion towards viable, long-term solutions.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility, as required.
• Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney's Office; communicates with Deputy District Attorneys while filing police reports and in preparation for court trial.
• Develops and maintains good relationships with the public, including informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations; maintains contact with community member(s) regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the general public.
• Provides initial medical assistance and first aid to injured persons as necessary; responds to mental health emergencies and assesses individuals experiencing various mental health-related ailments to achieve productive outcomes that benefit the health of the individual in crisis as well as the overall safety of the community.
• Provides outreach to homeless individuals; observes for potential physical or behavioral health issues; conducts welfare checks; take appropriate action as needed.
• Reviews local and regional crime trends for potential links and identifies trends; communicates with outside agencies to share and/or obtain information regarding investigations.
• Works with school administrators, teachers, counselors, and students to keep students safe, identify and resolve issues on campus, and prevent and investigate crime.
• Participates in a variety of public awareness and community engagement activities to promote good public relations and safety awareness.
• Represents the City and the Police Department on special projects and in public presentations and youth and other community activities.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a closely related field. Some college level coursework is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a current and valid California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record to be maintained throughout employment. An out-of-state license may be used during the hiring process, but a valid California Driver's License must be obtained prior to appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within eighteen (18) months of appointment, a valid Basic Certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), to be maintained throughout employment.
• Academy Graduate Police Officer applicants must have graduated from a California POST Academy.
• Lateral Police Officer applicants must possess and submit a copy of a current Basic POST Certificate.

Knowledge and abilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement department.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of law enforcement including patrol, investigations, and special operations functions.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of criminal law, investigation, interrogation, and crime prevention.
• Operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Criminal court system processes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of interviewing and eliciting information from victims and witnesses.
• Traffic control, enforcement, and education methods.
• Police records, communications, property, and custody system operations.
• Procedures in handling warrants, filing complaints, court appearances, and testifying.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• Methods and techniques of preparing police reports and related documentation.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, report writing, and preparation of correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for de-escalation and providing a high level of customer service by effectively assisting with the public, vendors, and City staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform law enforcement duties within an assigned program area to ensure the protection and safety of community member(s) and property.
• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Conduct effective interviews with victims and witnesses.
• Pursue, apprehend, and subdue suspects in accordance with mandated procedures.
• Process crime scenes and maintain chain of custody of evidence.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with community groups; various business, professional, and community organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

All applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions of the position, as determined by a thorough City pre-placement physical examination; meet vision requirement of not less than 20/100, correctable to 20/30; must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; and be free of felony convictions.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS