Salary : $126,672.00 - $156,384.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 260604-03
Department: Police
Division: Patrol Operations
Opening Date: 07/23/2026

Base Salary - Police Officer

Step 1 - $126,672

Step 2 - $132,924

Step 3 - $140,748

Step 4 - $148,560

Step 5 - $156,384

Below is what you can potentially be making annually at Step 1 and Step 5 of the Police Officer salary range.

Salary and Benefits Breakdown

Step 1

Top Step (5)

Base Salary

$126,672

$156,384 ($75.18 hourly)

Longevity Pay

None

$21,894 (14% of base salary after 20 years)

Education

$16,214 (12.80%)

$20,017 (12.80%)

Bilingual Pay

$1,800 (for Spanish, $150/mo.)

$1,800 (for Spanish, $150/mo.)

Uniform Allowance

$2,000 (paid bi-weekly)

$2,000 (paid bi-weekly)

Holiday Pay

$8,526 (35 hours paid quarterly x 4 quarters = 140 hours annually

$10,525 (35 hours paid quarterly x 4 quarters = 140 hours annually)

Total

$155,212

$212,620
Additional Compensation Opportunities:

• Other incentives not included in total above: 100% City-paid medical premiums, K9, Overtime, FTO, Film Assignments, Call Back Pay, Telephone Calls Pay, Call Back Pay, Wellness Hour, Military Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave, FMLA, Personal Leave Cash Out, Employee Parking

Additional Incentives and Benefits:

Longevity Pay (Applies to Overtime)

• 2.7% of base salary Over 5 years to 10 years
• 7% of base salary Over 10 years to 15 years
• 11.1% of base salary Over 15 years
• 14% of base salary Over 20 years

Educational Incentive Pay

• 6% of base for Intermediate P.O.S.T. Certificate or AA/AS
• 12.8% of base Advance P.O.S.T. Certificate or BA/BS

Bilingual Pay

• $1200/annual
• $1800/annual for Spanish

Uniform Allowance

• $1200/annual

Pay in Lieu of Holiday - 14 holidays

• Compensation equals ten hours at the employee's regular rate of pay
• 35 hours paid quarterly x 4 quarters = 140 hours annually

Annual Sick Leave Cash Out

• Less than 10 years of service max 6 days
• 10 plus years of service 12 days max

Annual Vacation Cash Out

• Less than 5 years Up to 60 hours
• 5 years or more Up to 120 hours

DEFINITION
Enforces laws and maintains order; protects life and property; prevents crime, and actively contributes to the welfare of the community.
SUPERVISION

Receives technical supervision from a Police Sergeant or higher-level sworn classification. May provide technical supervision over non-sworn personnel.
Representative Duties
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Patrols an assigned area in marked/unmarked vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, horses, and all terrain/beach vehicles and on foot for the prevention of crime and enforcement of laws and ordinances.

Maintains law and order; answers inquiries and assists the public; responds to requests for police services and takes appropriate actions.

Investigates and prepares reports on offenses, collisions, and other incidents.

Makes arrests, transports arrestees/prisoners, issues citations, and serves warrants and subpoenas.

Directs traffic.

Appears and testifies in court, both on and off duty.

Observes and reports hazards, abandoned or damaged vehicles or property, and malfunctions of city-owned equipment such as streetlights and traffic control devices.

Practices and maintains proficiency in the use of firearms and other police weapons and equipment.

Attends training courses as required by P.O.S.T and the Chief of Police.

Analyzes recurring patrol and specialized problems/hazards in collaboration with supervisors, peers, and service clientele. Participates in developing long-term resolutions to law enforcement related problems and issues.

Responds to calls for police service, major traffic collisions, and other emergencies.

Performs other duties, as assigned.

Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILIITIES

Knowledge of:

Law enforcement codes, crime prevention methods, rules of evidence, laws of arrest, investigation and identification techniques and traffic and crowd control
Principles of grammar and composition
Effective customer service techniques

Ability to:

Follow written and oral instructions
Follow applicable safety rules and regulations
Make decisions under pressure, including life threatening situations

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Respond to inquiries from the public in a tactful manner
Be sensitive to issues impacting the quality of life of residents, guests, and visitors to the City
Provide effective customer service

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the general public

Maintain a qualifying score, at the shooting range, as established by the Santa Monica Police Department
Interact and communicate tactfully with culturally diverse populations
Skill in:

Reading, writing, and communicating at an appropriate level

Assessing situations and determining the proper course of action

REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent.
• Completion of a California P.O.S.T. approved police academy.

Experience:

• One year of full-time, paid experience as a sworn peace officer with an organized, local government agency.
• Applicants must be currently employed as a sworn peace officer in State of California.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Class C driver license.
• Possession of a regular Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens who are eligible for and have applied for U.S. citizenship. Resident aliens must obtain citizenship within three (3) years from date of application.
  
• Upon hire, police officers must be non-users of tobacco products.
  
• Applicants for Police Officer-Lateral Transfer must pass an extensive background investigation and must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence or a felony.
  
• Effective September 23, 2021, all incoming Santa Monica Police Officer/Lateral Transfers must maintain California residency and live within a 95-mile radius from the Santa Monica Police Department.

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must file a clear, concise, completed on-line City application with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline.

An on-line City application and required supplemental questions must be completed to be considered for this position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates considered to be most qualified for the position on the basis of experience, training and education as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
Candidates invited to participate in the Police Department's testing process will participate in the following:

Oral Interview: 100%Background Investigations: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation. The investigation is used to determine a candidate's moral character and suitability for employment in law enforcement. The investigation shall include but is not limited to, the following checks: criminal record, polygraph, driving history, credit history, military record, previous record(s); and references.Medical Examination: Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully complete a thorough medical examination, including a treadmill stress test and drug screen to determine if they meet the City's medical standards for the position of Police Officer/Lateral Transfer.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
SALARY RANGE: Composed of 5 steps-Step 1 through Step 5. Each step represents an increase of approximately 5% per year during the first five years of service.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of 12 CalPERS medical plans. 100% City-paid medical premiums.
CASH-IN-LIEU: Employees who elect to waive medical coverage due to spouse's medical coverage are entitled to a payment equal to the cost of the current employee only premium rate under the PORAC plan per month. Payment is provided bi-weekly.
DENTAL INSURANCE: An HMO and PPO plan are available. Premiums fully paid by the city for employee and eligible dependents.

VISION INSURANCE: One plan available. Premiums fully paid by the city for employee and eligible dependents.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: Employees may elect to contribute pre-tax dollars towards a Flexible Spending Account to pay for qualifying health and dependent care.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Premiums fully paid by the city for employee and household members.
CalPERS RETIREMENT: Retirement formula and employee contributions are based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS. City employees are vested after 5 years and do not participate in Social Security. Employees pay a 1.45% contribution towards Medicare.
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN: 457(b) plan is available for voluntary participation.
PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT PLAN: The City makes a monthly contribution of $142 into a retiree trust to allow eligible separated employees to reimburse healthcare premiums. Employees contribute $257 monthly.
VACATION: 60 hours following the completion of the first six months of continuous service. Thereafter, up to and including five completed years of continuous service, 10 hours for each completed calendar month of service.

• Accrued vacation leave can be cashed out based on years of service on two occasions each calendar year.

SICK LEAVE: One sick leave day per month (96 hours per year).

• Sick leave accrued but not used can be cashed out at the end of the fiscal year based on the formula outlined in the POA MOU.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time employees who have passed probation will be reimbursed for the cost of tuition and study materials for career improvement or job enhancement courses that meet the policy guidelines.
The maximum amount shall not exceed $2500 per fiscal year.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust, dirt, and odors are conditions frequently encountered. Must constantly work with noise from vehicular traffic and police radio. Position requires availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call, and overtime. Physical demands include constant arm and leg movements, driving, standing, and sitting for long periods of time. Bending, stooping, lifting, running, squatting, and climbing is also required. For more comprehensive information, click to acces