Police Department

LATERAL POLICE OFFICER

Join LBPD! We are currently accepting applications for Police Officer - Lateral. You can apply here!

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REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

Applicants must meet one of the following options A, B or C:

A. California Applicants: Currently employed full-time for at least one continuous year in the State of California as a Peace Officer, as defined by California Penal Code Sections 830, 830.1, and 830.2 and possession of a valid Basic POST Certificate issued by the State of California (proof required)

B. Out of State Applicants: Currently employed full-time for at least one continuous year of sworn general law enforcement experience and possession of the Basic Course Waiver (BCW) from the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) (proof required)

C. Reserve Officer Applicants: Current status as a reserve officer in the State of California, possession of POST Level 1 certificate issued by the State of California (proof required) and completion of 2,000 paid or volunteer hours working in a patrol capacity responding to a wide range of general calls for service

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. high school graduation or G.E.D. equivalency
• A valid driver’s license
• U.S. Citizenship or have applied for citizenship. Citizenship must be granted within three years of appointment
• No felony convictions
• Possess good observation, writing, communication and human relation skills
• Possess good leadership and public service qualities
• Ability to make sound decisions; read, comprehend and retain technical training materials; endure periods of strenuous physical activity requiring good balance, coordination, flexibility, endurance and strength
• Ability to be compassionate, culturally sensitive, and non-discriminatory to a diverse population
• Ability to exercise tact using excellent interpersonal skills, solve problems, and demonstrate good mediation skills during highly confrontational situations

SELECTION PROCESS

The Police Officer - Lateral selection process is conducted in two phases:

• Phase I - The Long Beach Civil Service Department will screen application packets and create an eligibility list
• Phase II - The Long Beach Police Department will screen all eligible candidates 

CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT PROCESS (Phase I)

Online applications will be screened to determine if candidates meet the requirements to file. Applications must include responses to supplemental questions and proof of required documents in order to be considered complete.

Required documents must be attached to the online application at the time of filing. For this position, at least one of the following proofs from the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) is required:

1. Basic POST Certificate issued by the State of California 
2. Basic Course Waiver (BCW) from POST issued by the State of California 
3. POST Level 1 certificate used by the State of California 

Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to determine which documents should be submitted as proofs; candidates should review the job opportunity bulletin or supplemental application to inform their decision.

For more information on the POST certification process, please visit: http://www.post.ca.gov

Veteran’s Preference 
In order to be considered for Veteran’s Preference, a copy the applicant’s DD-214 (Member-4) must be attached to the online application at the time of filing.

Eligible List
The names of those applicants that qualify will be placed on the eligible list, which is given to the Police Department to process in Phase Two. Those candidates receiving veteran’s preference are placed at the top of the list, followed by the remaining candidates in the order in which applications were filed. Screening of candidates will be conducted on the basis of applications, supplemental applications, and required documents submitted. The eligible list will remain in effect for at least six months.

Notification 
All applicants will be notified of their application status within two weeks of filing. If candidates have questions regarding their application status, they should contact the the  Long Beach Civil Service Department at (562) 570-6202.

LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT PROCESS (Phase II)

The second phase of the selection process is conducted by the Long Beach Police Department and includes Steps 3 through 8 (see side menu). For more information on Phase II of the selection process, contact a recruiter at (562) 570-5390.

Learn about Step 3 >