Job Title: Police Officer or Police Recruit
Department: Police
Hours: Full-Time
Job Description:
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
POLICE OFFICER
($31.44 / Hr. - $41.98 / Hr.)
Hourly / Non-Exempt
OR
POLICE RECRUIT (POLICE ACADEMY RECRUIT)
($25.22 / Hr. while in academy, plus benefits)
Upon successful completion of the Basic Police Academy, salary will increase to $31.44 - $41.98
There is one (1) position available in the classification of Police Officer or Police Recruit for the City of Crescent City Police Department. This is a full-time position with benefits. This is an open job recruitment. Applications can be picked up at City Hall or online at www.crescentcity.org.
Final Filling Date: November 20, 2026 5:00 pm.
City of Crescent City has the right to extend filling times if necessary.
POLICE OFFICER
LATERAL HIRING BONUS: $10,000*
*The City of Crescent City has a Lateral Police Officer Hiring Bonus Program whereby the City will offer a hiring bonus of $10,000 to qualified lateral hires for the position of Police Officer. A qualified lateral Police Officer hire must possess a Basic POST certification and have one year of sworn law enforcement experience. Payout as follows: $5,000 upon official hiring; $2,500 upon completion of FTO training; $2,500 upon completion of probation.
DEFINITION: Under general supervision performs a variety of law enforcement and crime prevention duties to ensure the strict enforcement of all State and local laws and ordinances relating to the preservation of public peace, public safety, prevention of crimes, and protection of life and property.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs law enforcement and crime prevention duties; Enforces City, County and State laws; Patrols assigned areas of the City, responding to public calls for protection of life and property; Conducts preliminary investigations of possible violations of the law; Investigates traffic collisions; Controls traffic flow; Warns against unlawful conduct; Issues citations; Testifies in court; Monitors the security of buildings and property; Responds to alarms; Investigates suspicious persons and circumstances; Gives information and directions to the public; Identifies, collects and preserves evidence; Apprehends and arrests criminal suspects; Attends training assignments and weapons qualification; Prepares activity logs, accident and incident reports, ensures accuracy of information; submits reports to appropriate authority in a timely manner; Keeps abreast of Federal and State laws, traffic laws, and City ordinances; Keeps supervisor informed of any incident or issue that requires his/her attention or follow-up; Maintains required level of proficiency in the proper and safe use of firearms, evasive action, and appropriate and safe driving skills; Searches, photographs, and fingerprints prisoners; oversees processing and detention of prisoners; Transports prisoners to medical or detention facilities; Serves warrants and other civil and criminal documents; May perform the duties of a detective, K9 officer, school resource officer, traffic officer, or other assignments. Performs other related duties as assigned or required.
SUPERVISION: This position is supervised by the Chief of Police and may be directly supervised by a Sergeant through the department chain of command. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS: (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for this job position) Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age; be a citizen of the U.S. or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (Government Code Section 1031(a)); be free of any felony conviction; be of good moral character.
EDUCATION: High school diploma, GED, HiSET, or equivalent is required;
EXPERIENCE: Entry Level – No experience is required.
Lateral Level – Previous employment as a California Peace Officer within the past three years, with successful completion of an FTO program and probation period; Or possession of a California POST Requalification certificate dated within the past three years.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATE: Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles, or equivalent if a resident of another state; must maintain driver’s license in compliance with the City employee driving standards;
Entry Level – Successful completion of a California POST Certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy within the past three years.
Lateral Level – Possession of a valid California POST Basic Certificate.
KNOWLEDGE of: Current law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, basic investigations, arrest and identification techniques; Current State, and local criminal codes, laws, and recent court decisions; Community oriented policing principles; Criminal behavior and methods of operation; Roads and characteristics of various City areas and neighborhoods.
ABILITY to: Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, ordinances and policies; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language; Show a high level of discretion and flexibility in daily operations; Understand and carry out oral and written directions; Accurately observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places; Deal courteously, yet firmly and effectively, with the public in police situations; Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Observe situations analytically and objectively; record observed situations clearly and concisely; Comply with the requirements of Police Officer contained in the California Peace Officer Standards and Training; Provide quality customer service; Prepare clear, comprehensive, and factual reports and documents; Efficiently use interpersonal and conflict resolution skills to handle a wide variety of sensitive situations.
POLICE RECRUIT
DEFINITION: This position works under the direction of assigned staff and higher level sworn positions within the department. This position is a recruit that will be hired with the City of Crescent City to attend and successfully complete a POST approved Basic Police Academy. This position may assist department personnel in a variety of field and office law enforcement activities and duties as required and allowed.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Including but not limited to: Attend all classes and activities as outlined with the California POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) accredited Basic Police Academy; Prepare reports and complete work assigned as required by the Basic Police Academy; Prepare any work and assignments that are required by Crescent City Police Department; May assist in a variety of law enforcement related activities under the direction of the department.
QUALIFICATIONS: (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for this job position) Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Education equivalent to a high school diploma is required; Must be at least 20.5 years of age (Must be 21 to be a sworn peace officer).
Work or volunteer experience with a law enforcement agency or coursework in criminal justice is highly desired.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATE: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operators License issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent if a resident of another state; must maintain driver’s license in compliance with the City employee driving standards.
KNOWLEDGE of: Basic Law enforcement concepts and terminology.
SKILL to: Successfully complete the POST accredited Basic Police Academy; Meet the physical requirements of the position; Ability to understand and follow written and oral instruction.
POLICE OFFICER / POLICE RECRUIT
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS: Essential duties require the following physical, mental, environmental, and communication demands:
Physical: Must meet standards of physical stature, endurance and agility established by the City. Tasks involve frequent driving, walking and standing, and occasional running; frequent light lifting and occasional lifting of heavy objects or persons; must have the physical ability to apprehend and restrain subjects and to defend one’s self from attack; requires manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination involved in the operation of vehicles, firearms and other equipment; works under stressful or dangerous conditions, often involving considerable personal risk or risk to others.
Mental: Think and act quickly and calmly in emergencies and judge situations and people accurately; exercise good judgment, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
Environmental: Must be willing to work a rotating shift; may require exposure to extreme heat or cold, extreme weather conditions, strong odors and/or smoke, dust pollen.
Communication:
Vision - Requires vision sufficient to observe and identify criminal activity and suspects; to read vehicle license plates; to efficiently operate law enforcement equipment and firearms; requires visual, color, and depth perception.
Hearing - Requires sound perception with sufficient clarity to maintain two-way communications in person, by radio, and by telephone.
Speech - Requires sufficient clarity to communicate effectively verbally in a clear and concise manner.
Writing - Requires sufficient writing skills to compose a variety of comprehensive, logical, organized and factual reports, records, correspondence and related documents.
Reading - Requires sufficient reading skills to read and understand policy and procedures and comprehend and interpret laws, regulations and specific materials related to the position.
WAGE AND BENEFITS
Hourly Wage: POLICE OFFICER: $31.44 – $41.98
POLICE RECRUIT: $25.22
Retirement – PERS 2% @ 50 for classic members; 2.7% @ 57 for new (PEPRA) members. Employee pays PERS member required contribution for either Classic or PEPRA.
Health – The City provides 100% of the healthcare premium for the employee under the CalPERS Gold medical plan. The City provides 80% of the cost of the 2-Party or Family premium for the CalPERS Gold medical plan that is over and above the cost of the Single premium. The City will pay 100% of the employee premium costs for vision insurance, dental insurance, and air ambulance insurance. Full-time regular employees who opt out of City’s health plan due to enrollment in a qualifying group health plan (under the Affordable Care Act) will receive a $300 per month cash-in-lieu benefit payment.
Vacation Leave – Vacation is accrued at 4 hours biweekly upon employment and increases with time in service. There is an accumulation limit.
Sick Leave – Sick leave is accrued at 4 hours biweekly with an accumulation limit.
Holidays – 12 paid holidays per year.
Although benefits have been reported as accurately as possible, there has been no guarantee of complete benefit summary intended. All information provided is subject to the actual terms of the legal documents that control benefit programs.
APPLICATION PROCESS: A City of Crescent City application including required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) must be received in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date.
Application materials are available from: City of Crescent City, 377 J Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 or on our website at www.crescentcity.org. Following a review of minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified they have been selected to continue in the process.
THE SELECTION PROCESS: May consist of a written exam and an oral interview. Subsequent to a job offer and prior to being hired, a candidate must successfully pass a psychological exam, medical examination and drug screening, submit a DMV printout showing an acceptable driving record; and pass a criminal history investigation through the California Department of Justice. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Crescent City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or marital status. The City of Crescent City makes reasonable accommodation for the disabled. Individuals requiring accommodation must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the final filing date.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA and ADAAA) reasonable efforts will be made during the examination process to accommodate people with special physical or mental requirements. If special accommodation is necessary, please contact the Human Resources Department at 707-464-7483 x19 prior to the examination date.
CRESCENT CITY is located on Hwy 101 on the pristine Northern California coast about 25 miles south of the Oregon border. The area offers an abundance of outdoor activities utilizing the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, two major rivers, national and state parks and recreation areas. The City was incorporated in 1854 and consists of approximately 55 full-time and 25 part-time employees. The City has a City Manager/Council form of government with a five-member elected City Council.
CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
377 “J” Street
Crescent City, CA 95531
(707)464-7483
Apply Online