Police Officer (Lateral or Pre-Service)

City of San Bernardino, CA

$100K — $134K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or G.E.D.
  • At least 21 years of age.
  • Completion of California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy or a waiver.
  • Possession of valid Class 'C' California driver's license.
  • No felony convictions.

Responsibilities

  • Protect life and property through law enforcement activities.
  • Prevent and investigate crimes as necessary.
  • Assist the public in various situations and emergencies.
  • Maintain knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.
  • Prepare detailed reports on incidents and activities.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary range.
  • Opportunities for career advancement.
  • Varied duty assignments across different areas of law enforcement.
  • Additional training for Police Academy graduates.
  • Comprehensive benefits package for Police Safety Unit.
Full Job Description
Salary : $100,652.16 - $134,419.92 Annually
Location : 290 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-40751-08
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

About the Position:
Accomplishes a variety of duties in the protection of life and property, to include law enforcement, crime prevention, investigation and public assistance. 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.
IMPORTANT:

Proof of California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy or Basic P.O.S.T Course Waiver completion must be attached to application.
Required attachments will not be accepted after application submission.
Physical Agility Test Date:Wednesday, October 14, 2026
If you are interested in a career in law enforcement but have NOTcompleted 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 (Police Officer Trainee) position.
Click here to apply.
What You'll Be Doing Here
Click here to view the Police Officer (Lateral or Pre-Service) job description.
What You Need to Qualify

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.

Proof of California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy or Basic P.O.S.T Course Waiver completion must be attached to 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.

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.
Knowledge of:
  • Current applicable federal, state and municipal laws and ordinances.
  • Departmental rules and regulations.
  • Principles and practices of a municipal police administration and organization.
  • Police requirements and limitations of police authority.
  • Laws, governing custody of persons, search and seizure, admissibility and presentation of evidence and laws of arrest and court procedures.
  • Basic computer operations and functions.
  • Basic mathematics.
  • Correct English usage, including grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Ability to:
  • Read and understand departmental policies, rules, regulations, instructions, laws and law enforcement literature.
  • Learn the use and care of firearms.
  • Remember names, faces, facts and details of incidents.
  • Write legibly.
  • Type on a computer keyboard.
  • Read and comprehend at the twelfth grade level.
  • Write clear, accurate and comprehensive reports.
  • Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective and responsible course of action giving due regard to the surrounding hazards and circumstances of each situation.
  • Operate an automobile skillfully.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Accomplish various clerical duties.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
  • Demonstrate good judgment, character, reputation, superior poise, bearing, alertness and emotional stability.
  • Cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.

Recruitment Timeline:

This recruitment will close on September 27, 2026, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Physical Agility Test Date:Wednesday, October 14, 2026
How to Apply and What to Expect Next
All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City's official website at www.sbcity.org. This recruitment will remain open until September 27, 2026 or until sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made, and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.

Pre-Employment Process may include, but is not limited to:

  • Application Review
  • Physical Agility Test
  • Personal History Statement and Pre-Background Interview Questionnaire Packets
  • Oral Exam
  • Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Employment/Professional Reference Check
  • Pre-employment Physical Medical Exam / Psychological exam


The City offers an attractive Police Safety Unit benefit package, which includes:

01

Do you possess a valid Driver's License?Possession of a valid Class "C" California Driver's License is required. For out of State applicants, a valid driver's license is required. A valid Class "C" California Driver's License must be obtained within (10) days of appointment.
  • Yes
  • No

02

Did you graduate from high school or do you have a GED?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Are you at least 21 years old?
  • Yes
  • No

04

Have you completed the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Academy Course OR Have you completed a Basic P.O.S.T. Course Waiver.***If you answered "NO" to this question you are not eligible to be considered for this position. You are invited to submit a Law Enforcement Trainee (LET) application accepted on the 1st Monday of every month (excluding December). Call 909-384-5104 for more information.***
  • Yes
  • No

05

i understand that as part of the hiring process, I will be required to take and pass a physical agility assessment, oral board interviews, a thorough background investigation, a polygraph examination, a medical evaluation, and a psychological evaluation.
  • I understand.

06

Applicant Acknowledgement - Application Complete: Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and supplemental questionnaire. Please be sure to review all information provided prior to submitting it as you cannot update or revise it once submitted. Your submitted application will be reviewed and evaluated as is. Please do not refer to a resume or other documentation in lieu of completing the employment history section or responding to the supplemental questions; they will not be reviewed or considered. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email confirmation will be sent to the email address listed on your application. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.
  • I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and understand that I will not be able to update or revise any part of it once submitted.

Required Question

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at City of San Bernardino, CA

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

  • Deputy Building Official
    $80K — $150K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Deputy Assessor
    $80K — $150K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Civil Engineer II
    $80K — $150K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Accounting Manager
    $80K — $100K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Manager, Clinical Business Development
    $115K — $120K *
    Columbia University Irving Medical Center
    New York, NY 10032 (New York County)

Find similar Police Officer (Lateral or Pre-Service) jobs: