The Police Officer is responsible to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local municipal codes, violations, and traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department.

Hiring Incentives

$20,000 Hiring Incentive - For this position.

$5,000 Military Hiring Incentive - Is an additional hiring incentive for anyone who has served in any branch of the United States Military and received an Honorable or General Discharge as denoted on the DD214.

Sick/Vacation Front Loading -  40 hours of sick and 40 hours of vacation will be front loaded on date of hire.
 
Lateral Service Credit - Any lateral hire will accrue leave balances based on their years of experience in a prior public safety position.

In addition to a high school diploma or GED equivalency and completion of a minimum of 30 units of college coursework from an accredited college or university, this position requires one year of work experience in a California law enforcement agency which requires a Basic POST Certificate, and possession of a current Basic POST Certificate form the State of California. 

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications of the position will be placed on an eligible list and invited to a selection interview with the Modesto Police Department.

For more information about becoming a Police Officer with the Modesto Police Department, click here.

Human Resources reserves the right to revise the selection process to best meet the needs of the City.

City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; assist stranded motorists.

Answer calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanors and felonies; render first aid, as required.  

Respond to general public service calls including animal complaints, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, and related incidents.  

Collect, process, photograph, and present evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.  

Check buildings for physical security. 

Serve as Field Training Officer, as assigned; train new officers on departmental policies, procedures, and activities.  

Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations. 
 
Direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.  

Conduct investigations of serious injury and fatality traffic accidents.  

Conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys.  

Conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property, auto theft, white-collar crime, and narcotics; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution.  

Identify suspects; conduct interviews and interrogations; apprehend and arrest offenders. 

Teach bicycle safety in accordance with state agencies.  

Contact and interview victims and witnesses; preserve and investigate crime scenes.  

Conduct covert, undercover investigations, as assigned.

Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.  

Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education related to crime and crime prevention.  

Assist in the performance of special investigation and crime prevention duties, as required. 

Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.  

Make arrests, as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; administer polygraph tests; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.  

Serve warrants within the department and to outside agencies; remain current on laws and procedures for processing warrants.

Act as Watch Commander; review and approve reports of other Police Officers.  

Perform a wide variety of laboratory tests and procedures including narcotics testing; act as Department photographer; testify in court as an expert witness.     

Serve as Department Training Manager; review and assess training needs and available programs; oversee and coordinate the attendance of Departmental staff at training programs and seminars; research policies and procedures related to training activities.           

Serve as Crime Prevention Officer; oversee and coordinate crime prevention activities; make presentations to local citizens and community groups.

Serve as Intelligence Officer or Gang Officer; gather crime related intelligence information and conduct background investigations; coordinate information and activities with outside agencies and jurisdictions.

Investigate juvenile related crimes including child abuse and juvenile narcotics; coordinate youth services with outside agencies and organizations including local school districts; administer community presentations and instruct assigned classes.

Participate in recruiting sworn staff; conduct background investigations; interview potential job candidates and references; administer voice stress analysis tests.  

Give oral presentations at schools, clubs, and other community organizations.  

Act as Department court liaison. 

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service. 

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions: 

Perform related duties as assigned.  

In addition to the abilities listed for Police Officer Trainee:

Knowledge of:  

Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification 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 seizure and preservation of evidence.  
           
Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.  

Self-defense tactics.  

Practices and procedures of first aid and CPR.  

Interview and interrogation techniques.  

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES 

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

Experience:  

One year experience in a California law enforcement agency with a Basic POST certificate.

Training:  

High School diploma or GED equivalency and completion of a minimum of 30 units of college coursework from an accredited college or university. 

Possession of an Associate of Arts degree is desirable.  

License or Certificate 

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.  

Possession of a Basic POST Certificate from the State of California.

Additional Requirements:

Minimum of 21 years of age at time of application.

Must meet physical requirements of the job established by the department.

Physical condition is, after examination by a licensed physician and surgeon, free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect his/her exercise of powers as a Police Officer.

Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Mobility: pulling and pushing objects, sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, twisting, turning, stooping, squatting, and climbing. Lifting: Ability to perform tasks requiring strength and stamina, such as medium heavy lifting and moving equipment and objects weighing 75 pounds and continuously wearing a duty belt weight and other police equipment. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading of work papers, reports and special projects; color and depth vision; ability to identify suspects and interpret and apply the law to field situations; observation skills while conducting surveillance. Dexterity: perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation to use a computer and operate a motor vehicle. Hearing/Talking: verbal communication including projecting a voice that can be heard in a noisy environment, hearing and distinguishing various sounds; explain the law to the public.   Emotional/Psychological: frequent concentration and decision making, frequent public and coworker contact, ability to maintain high level cognitive, observation and memory skills. Environmental:  Must be willing to work in office and field environment, including life threatening emergencies

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an office and field environment and requires travel from site to site. Overtime and shift work is required.

For more information and to submit an application, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/modesto/modestopd/jobs/2839100/police-officer-lateral