Police Officer (Academy Enrolled)
1 day ago
Buena Park
The City of Buena Park Police Department is offering a Police Officer position with a salary up to $137,467 annually, plus academy costs/expenses while a recruit. There is a 5% salary increase effective July 4, 2026, and a $10,000 signing bonus. Successful candidates will receive $3,334 at the time of hire, $3,333 after completion of a Field Training Program and 18-month probationary period, and $3,333 at the completion of a second year of service. The City of Buena Park Police Department offers a work environment unmatched in Orange County with state-of-the-art facilities and a community-oriented proactive approach on crime. The department features patrol services, traffic enforcement, K9 unit, SWAT, Youth Explorer Program, School Resource Officer Program, Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) Volunteer Program, Crime Prevention, Investigative Services Bureau, Forensics, Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, Gang Unit, Community Impact Team (CIT), Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (G.R.I.P.), Crimes, Persons Unit/Property Unit, and the Orange County Auto Theft Task Force (OCATT). The philosophy of Community Oriented Policing is practiced by all Buena Park Police Personnel. The department believes in investing in partnerships with the community and actively pursues opportunities for community education. The department has been able to have a significant impact on crime and build strong community trust through the development of unique teams, such as the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force (NITF), Community Impact Team (CIT), and teams of officers working in specific problem areas. The department is proud of its state-of-the-art facility built in 2009, which includes a 24/7 expansive employee gym, large patrol equipment storage lockers, an on-site weapons training facility, state-of-the-art tactical equipment, high-tech dispatch center, the latest computer technology with a focus on paperless processes, and dictation services available for report writing. Education and advancement are encouraged and rewarded through generous training opportunities and robust promotional opportunities. Proactive police work is encouraged through opportunities for advanced investigation and collaborative relationships with detectives as a regular course of business for Buena Park Police Officers. Alternative work schedules, such as a 3/12 work week and Special Event overtime opportunities, such as Knott's Berry Farm and Community Events, are also available. Qualifying candidates currently enrolled in a California P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Police Academy, having completed a minimum of five (5) weeks may be appointed in a non-sworn capacity under the sponsorship of the Buena Park Police Department. After meeting all state-mandated academy requirements, including graduation from the Police Academy, incumbents will be considered for promotion to Police Officer. Applications for this position will only be accepted upon recommendation from the City of Buena Park Police Department. The essential functions of a Police Officer include enforcing federal and state laws and regulations, patrolling an assigned area of the city, preparing citations, arrest reports, crime reports, daily observation reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, and impounded property reports, responding to radio messages and citizen requests for protection of life, property and public assistance, giving verbal warnings and issuing citations, inspecting premises, assisting in the investigation of crimes, conducting preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths or other types of incidents involving possible violation of public safety laws and codes, questioning suspects, interviewing victims and witnesses, booking property and evidence, performing basic crime scene investigation, testifying in court regarding facts, circumstances, and violations, taking written statements, examining conditions of accident scenes, clearing scene of obstructions and damaged vehicles, noting and reporting traffic hazards, providing first aid for injured persons or requesting medical attention, reporting abandoned or damaged vehicles, inspecting establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment, assuring that proper licenses and permits are in effect, intervening in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order, monitoring status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including court orders, developing and maintaining positive relations with citizens, business owners, and other members of the community, participating in police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs, receiving, searching, booking, fingerprinting, and taking custody of prisoners, guarding and transporting prisoners, providing meals and completing daily records, tracking and coordinating the scheduling and training of Reserve Police Officers, enforcing specialized Traffic and Motor Vehicle Codes, preparing traffic and collision reports and investigation records, setting up DUI monitoring, coordinating work with Department of Motor Vehicles and Courts, attending meetings, preparing logs, and making presentations, organizing, coordinating, and providing officer training in the field related to proper law enforcement surveillance, handling of traffic stops, preparation of departmental reports, and related tasks, completing training records and employee progress reports at regular intervals, assisting in searches of suspects and properties, training animals and conducting exercises in proper pursuit and control methods, feeding and maintaining animals in accordance with health and safety standards, and preparing related activity records, conducting crime scene investigations and pursuing cases involving the collection of additional evidence, identification and interviewing of victims and suspects, and prosecution of cases within the court system, conducting covert patrol, writing and executing search warrants, coordinating property and evidence collection with police support staff, testifying in cases, responding to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety, monitoring and investigating associations of individuals who belong to known gangs, determining means of gaining access and information from informants related to actual or planned crimes, testifying in cases, visiting public schools, preparing and making educational presentations, maintaining communications with school officials, working with District staff on attendance and truancy issues, and counseling students related to lawful conduct and community standards and expectations, providing escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings. Knowledge of police science principles, practices and professional standards, Federal Constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications, state laws, Penal Codes, Traffic Codes, and Civil Codes, statutes, court decisions, and case law, local codes and ordinances, departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and custody of prisoners or contraband, criminal investigation methods, identification methods, crime prevention principles, use of police records, and law enforcement practices, self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques, radio codes, transmission procedures and communication techniques, principles of human behavior, professional standards, contemporary patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, and related police services, including specialty assignments, communicable disease control methods and techniques, proper care and maintenance of property and equipment, effective customer service techniques, ability to operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, firearms and weapons, interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances, prepare and present clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records, analyze solutions to law enforcement problems, convey clear instructions or execute commands, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other divisions, police management, city departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public, communicate effectively, both orally or in writing, accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports, exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations, think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations, relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups, use written and oral communication skills, read and interpret data, information and documents, analyze and solve problems, use math and mathematical reasoning, observe and interpret situations, learn and apply new information or new skills, remain calm and use effective judgment in dangerous situations, interact with citizens, business representatives, city staff, other organizations, police safety personnel, school representatives, and the public, and other interfaces depending upon the position assignment. Physical and mental demands include using hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level, climbing or scaling walls, ladders, or steps, carrying police safety gear; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, squatting or crawling, as well as walking, sitting, and running, talking, hearing, and using smell, pulling and carrying persons in emergency situations, administering first aid, fighting in self-defense, grasping and carrying power and hand tools, lifting, carrying, and moving persons, equipment, and push, pull or drag objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more, using written and oral communication skills, reading and interpreting data, information and documents, analyzing and solving problems, using math and mathematical reasoning, observing and interpreting situations, learning and applying new information or new skills, remaining calm and using effective judgment in dangerous situations, and interacting with citizens, business representatives, city staff, other organizations, police safety personnel, school representatives, and the public, and other interfaces depending upon the position assignment. The work environment frequently involves working in outside weather conditions, and in a patrol unit and may operate specialized equipment when assigned to patrol. The work involves exposure to extreme heat, smoke, dust, fumes, and inclement weather, as well as loud noises such as, but not limited to, sirens, alarms, and diesel engines. These positions require the use of safety helmets, armored vest, earplugs, utility belts, and other specialized equipment as well as certification in protective and life saving equipment. These positions are subject to the threat of injury and life threatening hazards as part of police