Police Officer (Lateral & Academy Graduate)

City of Claremont

The City of Claremont Police Department is looking for Lateral and Academy Graduate Police Officers that are highly energetic and motivated. They will have work ethics and moral standards that are of the highest caliber, to preserve the peace, protect life and property, prevent and detect crimes, and enforce laws and ordinances, while maintaining a positive public service approach toward the community.

Located 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles on the lower slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, Claremont is best known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, world renowned colleges, and award-winning school system.

Claremont provides the atmosphere of a New England town within comfortable driving distances of major Southern California attractions, sports stadiums, and the Ontario International Airport. Sunset magazine described Claremont in this manner, "College towns like this one may be commonplace on the East Coast, but Claremont, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, stands out as a singular example in Southern California." Metrolink Rail Authority also named Claremont a Preferred Destination Point.

The City has a population of 37,780 people. Within the 14.1 square miles of the city, Claremont has 23 city-owned parks and sports fields, with 1,900 acres of public park land, of which 1,769 is wilderness. Claremont has over 24,000 City trees and has been a winner of the National Arbor Day Association's TREE CITY USA award for 31 consecutive years.

Claremont's success is not accidental, but the result of a long tradition of creating and encouraging community cooperatives and involvement in civic affairs, which has also worked successfully in the areas of business and economic retention and development. The City of Claremont exemplifies the quality of a model city, and is viewed and respected as a leader in local government.

The Claremont Police Department consists of 42 sworn personnel and 28 professional staff positions, with a variety of volunteer programs, such as Reserve Police Officers, Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, and Police Explorers. The Department provides multiple opportunities for special assignments, such as motorcycle patrol; bicycle patrol; Field Training Officer; regional SWAT team member; School Resource Officer/DARE officer; Detective Bureau, Drug Recognition Expert; Range Master; canine handler; a variety of regional task forces, and the Specialized Services Bureau. Typically, 35% patrol time is free for pro-active patrol. Patrol staff works a 3/12 schedule, and the Detective Bureau works a 4/10 schedule.

The Position

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrol City in radio-equipped car; answer calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, property crimes against persons, and other criminal incidents.
  
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate arresting and/or follow-up investigations of offenses.
  
• Prepare reports on arrest, traffic violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices, issue citations, and make arrests as necessary.
  
• Check buildings for physical security, report traffic hazards to the proper authority, i.e., inoperative street lamps.
  
• Arrest, search, fingerprint, photograph, book, and transport prisoners.
  
• Direct traffic at special events, fire and other emergency or congested situations.
  
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
  
• Serve warrants and subpoenas, file complaints, and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
  
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
  
• Respond to medical emergencies and administer first aid as necessary.
  
• Attend meetings, seminars, and training sessions as assigned.
  
• Enforce traffic laws, warn drivers against unlawful practices, issue citations, and make arrests as necessary.
  
• Act as Field Training Officer for Police Officer trainees when required.
  

Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques and equipment, jail operations, police records and reports, and first aid techniques.
  
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
  
• Self defense tactics.
  
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
  
• Health and Safety Code, pertaining to controlled substances.
  

Ideal Candidate

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Completion of High School, passing the General Education Development Test or passing the California High School Proficiency Examination.

Meet California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) minimum standards.

Possession of an Associates degree is desired.

Must have completed a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) course. (Academy Graduate)

Age:

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Hearing:

Will be good and without defect.

Weight:

In proportion to height.

Vision:

Uncorrected eyesight should be 20/100 or better in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other eye; correctable to 20/20 in both eyes; free of significant color vision anomaly(ies) as measured by the Farnsworth D-15 or substantially similar test.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid California State Class C driver's license.

Probationary period shall be 18-months.

Additional Information

SELECTION PROCESS

All application materials will be thoroughly reviewed and those applicants whose background and experience most closely match the needs of the Police Department will be invited to an oral interview. Those candidates scoring 70% and above on the oral exam will be placed on an eligibility list. Upon establishment of the eligibility list, those invited to begin the background process must immediately turn in the PHS statement. You can find the PHS at: POST PHS Statement

An extensive background investigation covering prior employment, personal references, financial history, driving record, criminal history, controlled substance use/abuse, and personal character will be conducted. Successful completion of a medical examination, drug screen test, and psychological evaluation conducted by City designated doctors, and polygraph exam will be required prior to appointment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Lateral Police Officer offers a highly competitive salary with an attractive and competitive benefit package as outlined below. The starting salary for this position will be based on the competitive labor market and the successful candidate's qualifications, experience, and salary history.

The City of Claremont offers an attractive and competitive benefit package, including:

• 3% at 55 PERS retirement (Classic Members) and 2.7% at 57 PERS retirement (New Member)
• $1,294 a month for medical allowance, with any remaining money deposited into employee's deferred compensation account or taken as taxable income
• 96 hours - 160 hours vacation based on years of service
• 120 holiday hours and 40 floating holiday hours
• Educational Incentive Pay
• Certificate Pay
• Longevity Pay
• Special Duty Pay
• Bilingual Pay
• 96 sick hours per year (may bring up to 200 hours of sick leave from current employer)
• $75,000 life insurance on employee and $10,000 on dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates can apply for this position online and obtain additional information at the City of Claremont website www.ci.claremont.ca.us . Recruitment may close after a sufficient number of qualified applicants is received.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Claremont is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Individuals with qualified disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the selection process or in the performance of their duties must specify the accommodations needed, in writing, at the time when the employment application is submitted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Claremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.

City of Claremont employees in CPOA are entitled to the following benefits:

COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (COLA):

• 2% effective July 1, 2024

HEALTH, WELFARE, AND SAVINGS BENEFIT: The City shall contribute $1,294 per month towards any offered health plans, two dental plans, and a vision plan. Should the total cost of premiums for benefits selected under the plan exceed the City's monthly contribution, the overage will be paid by the employee via pretax payroll deductions. If an employee has medical, dental, and/or vision through other means, the employee is able to submit proof of other coverage, and will receive the amount as taxable income.

HEALTH INSURANCE: The City offers a number of health plans through KeenanInsurance.

DENTAL INSURANCE: The City offers a choice of dental plans.One is an indemnity plan, which allows you to go to the dentist of your choice (no orthodontia coverage). The other is a direct service plan, in which you must select and receive care at one of the dental offices or centers provided by the plan (orthodontia coverage).

VISION INSURANCE: The City also offers enrollment in a vision plan, which provides vision examination each year and lenses and frames or contact lenses every year.

LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a life insurance policy of $75,000 for themselves and $10,000 for any dependents they elect to insure. There are also optional insurance programs which can be taken with an employee if they leave City service.

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN (SECTION 125): Claremont offers a flexible benefit plan which allows an employee to pay for certain expenses (child care, unreimbursed medical expenses, and insurance premiums) with pre-tax dollars.

VACATION: Employees are entitled to a paid vacation of 96 hours following one year of employment (employees may take their accrued vacation after six months). From the second year of employment until completion of the thirteenth year, employees are entitled to 120 hours of paid vacation. Beginning with the fourteenth year, and every year thereafter, employees are entitled to 160 hours of vacation. A one time, 80-hour longevity leave bonus is given to an employee on their service anniversary date at the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, etc. years of service.

COMPENSATION FOR OVERTIME: Employees are eligible for either compensatory time or paid overtime if they work over 80 hours per pay period.Employees may accrue up to 120 hours compensatory time. Employees may cash-out up to 40 hours of accumulated compensatory time at their base salary at the time the cash out occurs. Said cash out shall occur on the pay date closest to December 1st of each year.

SICK LEAVE: Employees shall accrue eight hours of sick leave per month. New employees may bring with them up to 200 hours of sick leave from their previous agency if their previous employer did not otherwise compensate them. New employees must provide documentation from their previous employer verifying their uncompensated sick leave hours.

JURY LEAVE: Employee required to serve on a jury are entitled to their regular compensation for up to 80 hours. When on jury duty, an employee may be assigned to a 5 day, 8 hour work schedule.If filling a non-sworn position, time spent on jury duty shall be counted as time worked when calculating overtime compensation.

HOLIDAYS: Employees shall be entitled to the following holidays with pay each calendar year:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King's Birthday (The third Monday in January)
• Presidents' Birthday (The third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (The last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth (June 19th)
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day (The first Monday in September)
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day (December 25th)

Employees shall receive holiday pay equal to the number of hours they are scheduled to work on a holiday or the number of hours actually worked on a holiday, whichever is greater. Those employees normally scheduled off on a holiday will receive holiday pay of eight (8) hours.

FLOATING HOLIDAYS: Unit employees shall receive 40 floating holiday hours each calendar year. Unit employees may also accrue additional floating holiday hours during the calendar year in lieu of receiving holiday pay. Such hours shall be accrued at straight time.

RETIREMENT:

Safety (Sworn) PERS Plan Formula

The City shall provide the 3% @ 50 plan for all safety employees enrolled in the PERS plan prior to March 19, 2012. An employee who is hired by the City after March 19, 2012, from another Public Employees' Retirement (PERS) agency or agency with PERS reciprocity, or with a break in service of 6 months or less, shall receive the Second Tier PERS benefit formula of 3% @ 55. A returning Claremont City employee that was enrolled in PERS will receive the PERS benefit formula they received while previously employed with the City, irrespective of the break in service. An employee who is a new enrollment in PERS, is not coming from an agency with PERS reciprocity, or has a break in service greater than 6 months shall be enrolled in the Third Tier PERS benefit formula of 2.7% @ 57.

Miscellaneous (Non-Sworn) PERS Plan Formula

The City shall provide the 2.5% @ 55 PERS contract option to current miscellaneous employees hired prior to March 19, 2012. An employee who is hired by the City after March 19, 2012, from another Public Employees' Retirement (PERS) agency or agency with PERS reciprocity, or with a break in service 6 months or less, shall receive the Second Tier PERS benefit formula of 2% @ 55. A returning Claremont City employee that was enrolled in PERS will receive the PERS benefit formula they received while previously employed with the City, irrespective of the break in service. An employee who is a new enrollment in PERS, is not coming from an agency with PERS reciprocity, or has a break in service greater than 6 months shall be enrolled in the Third Tier PERS benefit formula of 2% @ 62.

Employee PERS Contribution

Safety employees hired prior to March 19, 2012 and hired into the Two Tier of 3% @ 55 retirement plan shall contribute 9% towards their PERS member contributions. Safety employees hired in the Third Tier of 2.7% @ 57retirement plan shall currently contribute 13% or 50% of the total normal cost rate, whichever is greater, towards their PERS member contributions.

Miscellaneous employees hired prior to March 19, 2012, shall contribute 8% towards their PERS member contributions. An employee receiving the Second Tier PERS Benefit formula of 2% @ 55 shall contribute 7% towards their PERS member contributions. Employees receiving the Third Tier PERS Benefit formula of 2% @ 62 shall contribute 6.5% or 50% of the total normal cost rate, whichever is greater, towards their PERS member contributions.

PERS Highest Pension Calculation Compensation Period -The City shall provide the Single Highest One Year Final Compensation Pension calculation benefit to current miscellaneous employees hired prior to March 19, 2012. Employees hired after March 19, 2012 shall receive the Three Year Final Compensation calculation benefit. The City shall provide miscellaneous and safety employees with the following benefits/provisions:
Credit for unused sick leave (Government Code Section 20965). 1959 Survivor Benefit (Third Level benefits)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees have the opportunity to participate in a supplemental retirement savings plan offered through MissionSquare. Through tax-deferred payroll deductions, employees are eligible to deposit funds into their account, up to the maximum allowed by law.

Participation in this program:

• Invests in high-performing funds yielding tax-deferred earnings;
• Provides a superior tool for retirement planning and savings.

Beginning with an employee’s 15th consecutive year of service in CPOA, the City will match up to 1.5% of their base pay, payable into their deferred compensation account. This percentage increases to 2% at the beginning of their 20th year in CPOA. To qualify for the deferred compensation match, an employee must have at least 3 out of 5 years, preceding the eligibility year, of “exceeds expectations” evaluations. On an annual basis, the employee must maintain “exceeds expectations” on their evaluations or lose eligibility for that year. The employee would be eligible for a deferred compensation match once again if they maintain at least 3 out of 5 years of “exceeds expectations” evaluations.

401 (a) PLAN: City employees have opportunity to participate in this tax deferred retirement savings tool.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY: The City provides a long-term disability plan.This benefit is in case an employee sustains a non-work-related illness or injury which results in their inability to work for a long period of time. In this event, an employee will receive 66.66% of their base pay after 60 days, and continued payment until they are medically able to return to work, or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first (maximum of $8,000 per month).

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees may also take advantage of the City's tuition reimbursement program. The amount of reimbursement will be up to $1,500 per fiscal year. Reimbursable items include registration, tuition, text books, and parking.

CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIP: Employees are eligible for membership in the F & A Federal Credit Union.F & A offers a wide variety of services including checking and savings accounts and all types of loans (automobile, vacation, personal, first and second home mortgages, and more!).

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PAY: Sworn & Communications Officers are eligible to receive one of the following education pay benefits:

• AA Degree, 60 semester units, or 90 quarter units: $50 per month
• Bachelor's Degree, 120 semester units, or 180 quarter: $100 per month

Jailers & Community Services Officers are eligible to receive one of the following education pay benefits:

• AA Degree, 60 semester units, or 90 quarter units: $250 per month
• Bachelor's Degree, 120 semester units, or 180 quarter units: $350 per month

CERTIFICATE PAY: Sworn & Communications Officers are eligible to receive one of the following certifcate pay benefits:

• P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certifcate: $250 per month
• P.O.S.T. Advanced Certificate: $350 per month
• Communications Officers upon completion of P.O.S.T. mandated training: $100 per month

Jailers shall receive:

• Upon completion of STC training: $100 per month

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ASSIGNMENT PREMIUM: Communications Officer I and Communications Officer II Unit employees will receive $100 per month for matron duty.

BILINGUAL PAY: Employees who successfully complete a proficiency exam for Spanish or any other language designated by the City shall receive $100 per month.

MOTORCYCLE PAY: Employees regularly assigned or serving as a motorcycle officer shall receive $150 per month.

ON CALL COURT PAY: Employees who are required to keep themselves available for immediate court appearances at times when they are not on duty shall receive 2 hours pay for each morning and each afternoon theyare on call. Certified traffic investigation officers placed on-call shall receive 4 hours straight time on-call pay per each week in an on-call status.

SHOOTING PAY: Employees required to attend range training during off-duty hours shall be credited with 3 hours of overtime or actual hours worked, whichever is greater.

SPECIAL DUTY COMPENSATION/ASSIGNMENT PAY: An employee assigned to a special assignment shall receive $150 per month.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: All uniformed personnel (Corporals, Officers, Communications Officer I, Communications Officer II, Jailers, Senior Jailer, and Parking Enforcement Officer) shall receive $30 per month allowance for uniform maintenance. All persons assigned to administrative duties (investigations, DARE, training, community relations) shall receive $40 per month.

Effective July 1, 2019, all uniformed personnel and administrative duties staff shall be eligible to receive reimbursement of up to $600 per fiscal year for uniform and equipment purchases.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): The City cares about the emotional and physical well-being of its employees and their families and offers a City paid Employee Assistance Program.

DIRECT DEPOSIT OF PAYROLL: Employees may authorize the automatic deposit of their paycheck into their checking, savings, or credit union account.

Revised: July 2023

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• City of Claremont

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