Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary: $8,596.00 - $11,519.00 Monthly
Location : Salinas Police Services Headquarters, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00706
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

The Salinas Police Department invites motivated individuals who are current sworn law enforcement officers to apply for the Police Officer Lateral position. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to serve the Salinas community and be a part of a hard-working team at the cutting edge of law enforcement. The department strives for excellence by training and developing employees to their highest potential. As a department, we lead by example.
Hiring Incentive: The first 15 lateral officers hired on or after April 5, 2024, will receive a $40,000 hiring incentive. $10,00 will be paid at time of hire, $10,000 paid upon successful completion of the department's field training program and $10,000 paid one year from the completion of the field training program, and $10,000 two years from completion of the field training program. An eligible City of Salinas employee who refers a lateral candidate will receive $2,500. Please be sure to give employee's name in supplemental question section of your application if one referred you.

California Lateral Applicants Must Meet the Following Requirements

• Must have completed a valid POST police academy.
• Must possess or be eligible for a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate. Copy of certificate, copy of POST profile or Letter from POST must be attached to application.
• Be in good standing with California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

Out of State Applicants

• Must possess a valid state driver license issued by state of residency. Applicant must obtain a California Class C driver license before being appointed to the position of Police Officer with the Salinas Police Department.
• Must meet requirements for Basic Course Waiver for out-of-state applicants issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
• Must have completed a police academy in state of residency. Copy of certificate, must be attached to application.
• Must currently be employed as a sworn law enforcement officer with at least one year of experience.

Note: Only those applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to interview. Applicants must complete a thorough background investigation, polygraph exam, medical evaluation, psychological exam and final Chief's interview before being hired as a Police Officer.
Application questions can be referred to Sr. Human Resources Analyst, Maria Avila at or (831)758-7231. For questions about the department, please email or to visit the recruitment page.

Summary of Duties: Under direction, utilizes specialized training and equipment to protect life and property by enforcing laws and preventing crimes. In an assigned beat or assignment, responsibilities may include patrolling in a police vehicle or on foot, responding to calls for service, conducting investigations, providing information and assistance to the public, preparing and participating in planned events, preparing for and attending court. Works closely with the community members to preserve the peace and promote public safety. Performs related special assignments or other related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Incumbents may enter the class either as a recruit, academy graduate or lateral status. Police recruits are entry-level positions with little or no related training or experience required. Recruits must complete a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified basic law enforcement training academy prior to appointment to probationary status as a police officer. Academy graduates and lateral entry police officers are appointed to full probationary status at time of hire.

Essential Job Functions
Patrol Division Assignment

1. Operates a police vehicle, and/or walks a foot beat in patrolling an assigned area; operates a Mobile Computer Terminal, radio and assigned equipment.
2. Promotes community policing by communicating with community members regarding potential problems in assigned area; explains laws, ordinances and their rights to residents, in resolving disputes; may attend community meetings and participate in community-based programs.
3. Enforces state, local and federal laws and ordinances governing public safety; issues verbal warnings and citations.
4. Responds to calls for service; resolves disputes; responds to accidents and renders first aid.
5. Prepares and documents cases, completes reports, and may maintain other records as necessary.
6. Coordinates crime scene control and conducts investigations, including search area for suspects or evidence. Investigations may include duties such as interviews, interrogations, identification of witnesses and victims, obtaining information from surveillance videos, computer data, records department, or other agencies.
7. Pursues and apprehends suspects transports, supervises and assists in processing detainees and other individuals in custody.
8. Participates in various in-service training, legislatively mandated and California P.O.S.T. mandated training.
9. Collaborates and works with a wide range of internal departments and external agencies; provides reports, background checks, database inquiries, verification for lost or stolen items including missing persons (Department of Justice validation lists) and other orders or requests.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Major Assignments

1. Learns and implements investigative techniques and procedures.
2. May conduct criminal, traffic, narcotic and vice investigations within the Department's various divisions.
3. Develops leads, apprehends and arrests suspects in connection with felony and misdemeanor crime investigations.
4. Collects and preserves evidence.
5. Patrols high incidence crime areas, utilizing undercover tools and techniques.
6. May perform related duties to support and enhance Community Oriented Policing.
7. May operate a police motorcycle/enduro in the course of performing patrol duties.
8. May perform the duties of a patrol officer in coordination with a trained canine partner, as part of the Department's Canine Unit.
9. Assists the Patrol Division as necessary and/or assigned

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• City, State and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and court decisions as pertinent to assigned duties.
• Police department policies, practices, regulations and procedures.
• Law enforcement and crime prevention principles, practices and techniques.
• Human behavioral theories, principles, methods and practices.
• Geographic layout and demographic characteristics of the City.
• Current methods and practices of criminal identification and investigation. Criminal law with particular emphasis on rules of apprehension, search, seizure, arrest and prosecution of persons.
• Narcotics investigation techniques.
• Departmental organization and the functions of the various Divisions.
• Community issues and concerns.
• Principles of community oriented policing.
• First Aid.

Skill in:

• Properly handling individuals exhibiting problem behavior, and situations presenting disorder and/or danger to self or others.
• Carrying out orders from supervisors and other senior officers.
• Working effectively with a variety of coworkers and members of the public from a cross section of educational and socio-cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrating physical ability and stamina appropriate to perform the duties of the position.
• Reading and interpreting complex technical documents, such as laws, ordinances and court decisions.
• Showing compassion and empathy towards others.
• Communicating verbally in a clear concise manner under stressful conditions.
• Writing clear and comprehensive reports.

Education: High School Diploma/GED

Licenses and Certifications: A California State Driver's License
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to maintain physical and emotional conditioning to optimally perform in this position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, type, use telephone, two-way radio, computer, use and control of firearms; see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print on documents and maps, detect subtle shades of color; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone and two-way radio conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at fifty feet of distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, climb over obstacles such as fences and walls while running in foot pursuit of a crime suspect; physical mobility sufficient to move in and out of a vehicle repeatedly, sprint from a stand-still; physical strength to carry 30 pounds of equipment on the body for period of at least ten hours per shift, occasionally lift more than 120 pounds, repetitively lift up to 100 pounds; physical stamina sufficient to sit and drive for prolonged periods of time, mental acuity and alertness to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw rapid valid conclusions, make rapid valid judgments and decisions. Other physical requirements as described in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual.

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.
Veteran's Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.
Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
Selection Process: Applicants' qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION.Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.
Salary Steps: The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)
For a complete listing of benefits, please click to visit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this position.
01

Do you currently possess a valid California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and are employed with a California P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency or have been employed as a sworn law enforcement officer by a California P.O.S.T. law enforcement agency in the last three years? If you answer "No" please review the Police Recruit (Entry Level) or Police Officer (Academy Graduate) job posting.

• Yes
• No

02

As an applicant with the Salinas Police Department, you are required to complete this Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. The information in this form will be used during the pre-employment screening process in determining your suitability for the position. It is your responsibility to complete this form and provide the required information. You must respond to all questions. Applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or disability related information. Answers are also subject to verification by polygraph and/or medical examination including but not limited to, a drug screening. Any false statements or omissions on this form can and often will result in you being removed from the hiring process, the withdrawal of any conditional offer, or be considered for immediate dismissal if an appointment is made. Please acknowledge that you have read the above statement.

• Yes
• No

03

Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past three years?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs two or more times?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you been convicted of two or more misdemeanor offenses under California law in the past three years?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for Domestic Violence?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you used or illegally possessed any hallucinogenic, including Ecstasy, within the past seven years?

• Yes
• No

08

Excluding cannabis, have you used or possessed any drug not mentioned above, including cocaine and other prescription drugs not prescribed to you, within the past three years?

• Yes
• No

09

As an adult, have you ever manufactured or cultivated any drug or illegal substance?

• Yes
• No

10

If a City of Salinas employee recommended that you apply for this position, please provide his/her name and title (if known).
11

Did you attach a copy of your P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate to your application? Applications will be considered incomplete without the required document.

• Yes
• No

Required Question