PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY - POLICE SERGEANT

Location : Cathedral City, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE
Job Number: 26-32
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: CCPMA

Description
The ideal candidate, under general supervision, supervises a shift or section and directs a group of officers and/or support staff and participates in a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances and crime prevention and investigation; directs and performs specified staff assignments; performs related work as assigned.
Training and Experience

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the qualifying knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain these qualifications would be:

• Three years of law enforcement experience as a sworn Police Officer
• Possession of an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice or related field, or completion 60 semester units of college level course work.
• Must possess a valid California driver license, must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards and be able to maintain firearms qualification.
• Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must possess a P.O.S.T. basic certificate and an Advanced P.O.S.T. certificate.

VIEW THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE
To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must attach all required certifications listed in the Training and Experience section as well as proof of degree and/or semester units. Based upon the information presented on the applications, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. Candidates must be successful in each step of the examination process to advance to the next step.
Tentative Dates:
Nov 1 - Application period close

November 12 - Written Examination
December 3 - Panel Interview

SELECTION PROCESS
WRITTEN EXAMINATION:
Candidates must meet minimum requirements for the position in order to be invited to take the written exam. Candidates passing the written examination will be invited to participate in a oral interview. The written exam is pass/fail.
The Police Sergeant written exam is divided into the following content areas:

SECTION DESCRIPTION/QUESTIONS
1 PROBLEM SOLVING, DECISION MAKING, AND PLANNING (15)
2 SUPERVISION (20)
3 FIELD OPERATIONS (20)
4 LEGAL PRINCIPLES (15)
5 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (10)
6 GENERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PRINCIPLES (20)

The sources for this test include:

• Hess, K. and Wrobleski H. (2008). For the Record: Report Writing in Law Enforcement, 6th Edition. Innovative Systems.
• Adams, T. (2014). Police Field Operations, 8th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall*
• Garner, Gerald W. (2025). Basic Handbook of Police Supervision: A Practical Guide for Law Enforcement Supervisors, 2nd Edition. Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd.
• California Department of Justice. California Peace Officers Legal Sourcebook. CopWare

*NOTE: For the Record: Report Writing in Law Enforcement, 5th Edition and Police Field Operations, 7th Edition can also be used as sources for this test.

ORAL INTERVIEW:
Placement on the eligibility list will be established based on the results of the oral interview. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a period of (six) 6 months from the date of establishment.
All notifications will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address listed on your on-line application.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
The City provides an outstanding benefits plan that includes:

- Bilingual pay
- CalPERS Health Insurance plus other Benefits
- CalPERS Retirement
- Certification and Education Incentives
- Deferred Compensation
- Educational Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Holidays
- Life Insurance | Long Term Disability
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Accrual
- Wellness

Benefit description per bargaining unit are available for review on the City's website

- General Unit
- Cathedral City Professional Firefighters Association
- Cathedral City Fire Management Association
- Cathedral City Police Officer Association
- Cathedral City Police Management Association
01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information, and reference to resume or application may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• YES
• NO

02

Please indicate the highest level of formal education you have completed.

• High School
• College - Currently enrolled
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

03

Please specify the major of your degree. If no degree, attach a copy of your transcripts indicating the minimum required semester units as listed in the job description.
04

Acknowledgement: The position requires successful completion of a POST A and POST B certificate. I acknowledge that a copy of my certificates is required before the application deadline and not including them will result in disqualification from the selection process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question