Police Department

Laterals

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

Up to $78,000 in incentives in the first two years!

• 90 day hiring process
• $30,000 Lateral sign-on bonus
• Up to $24,000 for childcare
• Up to $24,000 for housing
• Overtime at 2x base pay for some assignments
• Pay starting at $44.46/hr
• Skill pays including education, bilingual, patrol assignments
• Laterals eligible for longevity pay and vacation accruals based on prior service
• Paid Parental Leave

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
• Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law
• 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


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  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.

Steps to Join

• Oral Interviews

  Following the orientation presentation, candidates will be scheduled for a Chief’s Oral Interview and a Background Assessment Interview (BAI).

  The Chief's Oral Interview panel consists of one Long Beach Police Officer and one community member. Several structured questions will be posed to each applicant. The questions are designed to evaluate the applicant's knowledge of relevant topics and assess their communication skills. The better prepared applicant will have a good working knowledge of the City of Long Beach, its rich diversity, the Police Department, and the many events and attractions that make Long Beach great.

  The BAI will be conducted by background investigators. It is essential that candidates be completely honest. Dishonesty is grounds for immediate disqualification.

  NOTE: All applicants are encouraged to order and retain their medical records associated with their current medical conditions and procedures, physical symptoms, limitations, restrictions, and the use of medications and drugs, immediately following their successful completion of this step.

• Psychological/Polygraph Screening

  The Long Beach Police Department conducts an extensive and comprehensive background investigation on police recruit applicants beginning with a psychological and polygraph screening process in compliance with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Applicants will take a polygraph and have a fingerprint examination done. The polygraph examiner and background investigation will make inquiries into areas including, but not limited to, illegal activity, recent or prolonged involvement with illegal drugs and other possible unlawful behavior. Candidates will also be required to pass a psychological screening designed specifically for the position of Police Recruit.

• Background Investigation

  The Long Beach Police Department conducts an extensive and comprehensive background investigation on police recruit applicants in compliance with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). In addition to the psychological and polygraph screening, other areas that will be investigated as part of the background investigation include:

  • Personal: name, aliases, birth date, social security number, tattoos, citizenship, etc. Relatives and acquaintances will be contacted regarding your suitability to be a police officer

  • Education: high school, college, trade school, and any other sources of diplomas, certificates and degrees, received or in progress, will be verified through sealed official transcripts

  • Residences: residences for the last 10 years will be verified

  • Employment: all employment history, including part time and voluntary jobs, will be verified and inquiries will be made with current and past employers and co-workers

  • Military Service: registration with the Selection Service System will be verified. Military service records will be evaluated, if applicable

  • Financial: inquiries relative to responsibility, dependability, maturity, and liability as these related to meeting financial obligations will be evaluated. You will be required to submit a sealed Experian® credit profile as part of your required documentation

  • Legal: criminal inquiries will be made at the local, state, national, and if necessary, international level. Investigation will be made into all possible and actual criminal conduct. Arrests and convictions will be evaluated on a case by case basis (a misdemeanor conviction in and of itself is not necessarily a disqualifying factor)

  • Motor Vehicle Operation: behavior as it relates to driving ability and judgment will be reviewed, as well as, verification of required automobile insurance

  SELECTION STANDARDS

  POST sets the minimum standards for peace officers in California. POST guidelines provide the following five (5) major categories that are considered during the hiring process:

   
  
  
  

  1. Moral Character: integrity, impulse control, attention to safety, substance abuse and other risk taking behavior

  2. Handling Stress and Adversity: stress tolerance as well as confronting and overcoming
     problems, obstacles, and adversity

  3. Work Habits: conscientiousness, dependability, and attention to detail
  4. Interactions with Others: interpersonal skills and teamwork

  5. Intellectually-Based Abilities: decision making and judgment, learning ability, and
     communication skills

  For further information, visit the POST website.

• Selection

  Applicants who pass all aspects of the background investigation phase of the hiring process are presented to the Selection Committee of the Long Beach Police Department. The most qualified candidates will be selected for entrance into the Long Beach Police Academy.

• Medical Screening

  Applicants selected for the academy are required to pass a medical examination, which is in accordance with P.O.S.T. standards. A description of the Peace Officer Selection Requirements Regulations can be found here.

  As mentioned in “Step 4: Oral Interviews,” all applicants should have ordered and retained their medical records associated with their current medical conditions and procedures, physical symptoms, limitations, restrictions, and the use of medications and drugs, immediately following their successful completion of the Background Assessment Interview (BAI) and Chief’s Oral Interview.

  These records are only to be given to the City’s Medical Doctors or contracted doctors.

• Enter the Academy

  TRAINING

  The Police Academy is a unique training experience designed to develop those persons seeking a profession in Law Enforcement. The Academy will provide recruits with an environment to learn and develop skills, abilities, and procedures related to police work. The recruit will be asked to perform learned skills under a controlled, simulated, and stressful environment to help replicate situations experienced by police officers. The Police Academy will challenge recruits to their mental, emotional, and physical limits to better prepare them for the demands of police work.

  The Police Academy will require recruits to study provided information, complete and pass written examinations, and prepare uniforms and equipment for daily inspections. This can be a time-consuming process. Without a solid support system, a recruit may find it difficult to meet the standard requirements set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

  ACADEMY EXPECTATIONS

   

  Law Enforcement officers are entrusted by the community to enforce the law legally, morally, and ethically. Recruits are expected to perform with the highest level of character, integrity, and professionalism. While at the Police Academy, the recruit shall adhere to the following:

  • Arrive on the first day in excellent physical condition, ready for rigorous physical activity
  • Ability to be “coachable” and work in a team environment
  Regular Basic Course Academy Learning Domains

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