Police Officer/Police Officer Trainee at City of Arcata – Arcata, California

** $3,000 Hiring Bonus for Academy Graduates**

Apply today to work for the City of Arcata—a community where the pace is slower, the air is fresher, and life is centered around nature and connection.

While we know we can’t compete with big-city salaries, we offer:

• Unmatched Natural Beauty: Towering Redwoods, stunning coastlines, and miles of hiking, walking, and biking trails—just outside your door.
• A Supportive, Close-Knit Community: Arcata residents are dedicated, resilient, and passionate about supporting one another. Your work will make a lasting impact and help build a brighter future for all of us.
• A Relaxed Pace of Life: Say goodbye to traffic and city stress. With fewer crowds, less noise, and more space, you'll have the chance to reconnect with what truly matters.

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact while living in one of California's most scenic and peaceful places, apply today to work for the City of Arcata!

Police Officer Academy Graduate $3,000: Upon the approval of the City Manager, $1,500.00 will be paid at the completion of the Field Training Program and the remaining $1,500.00 will be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period. (Does not apply to City Academy sponsored/Police Trainee graduates)

Police Officer Lateral Transfer $50,000: Upon approval of the City Manager, $10,000 will be paid in the first paycheck upon employment; $10,000 upon successful completion of the FTO program; $10,000 upon completion of 9 months employment; $10,000 upon completion of 18 months of employment/ and $10,000 upon completion of 2 1/2 years (30 months) of employment.

LATERAL HIRES DEFINED FOR HIRING BONUS: Lateral applicants must have successfully completed a California POST basic law enforcement academy, be currently employed as a sworn peace officer in the state of California and be performing satisfactorily in their current employment as a peace officer to be eligible for the $50,000 Lateral Transfer Hiring Bonus.

OUT OF STATE LATERAL CANDIDATES:
Any out of state candidates applying with Lateral Police Officer experience will be required to successfully complete a POST three-week re-certification course. Out of state Lateral candidates can be considered for employment but will not be eligible for the Lateral Transfer Hiring Bonus.


OTHER PAY – 6% of base salary for POST Intermediate Certificate and an additional 6% for POST Advanced Certificate; Bi-lingual (2.5% of base salary); An additional 2.5% of base salary when assigned to Arcata Community Outreach Team or as a Field Training Officer; or an additional 5% of base salary when assigned to Drug Task Force, Detective, or K9.

Police Officer Trainee - $22.704 – $25.062/hr. Includes coverage under the medical/dental/vision plans in accordance with full-time employees while attending the Police Academy. All costs directly related to the Academy will be paid by the City for applicants selected for sponsorship by the City.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS – City paid dental and vision coverage for employee and dependents; and the majority of medical premium cost is paid by the City. Retiree coverage: City pays a portion of retiree medical, dental and vision premiums for employees who retire from the City of Arcata with at least 10 years of service. City contribution increases with each additional year of service.

Arcata Police Department is a VA certified 0n-the-Job Training Facility.
Police Officer (Academy Graduate or Lateral Transfer)- This position performs a variety of law enforcement duties in the enforcement of all Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances to ensure the preservation of public peace, prevention of crimes, protection of life and property. View full job description here.

Police Officer Trainee (Sponsorship to Enter Academy or Current Academy Student) - Participates as a student in a law enforcement training academy approved by P.O.S.T; and performs other related duties as assigned under the supervision of the Police Chief or designee.
At time of application, possess a valid P.O.S.T. Certificate verifying successful completion of a P.O.S.T. approved police academy; be currently enrolled in a P.O.S.T approved academy; or possess a valid P.O.S.T. Recertification Certificate. The above qualifications are not required of those applying for sponsorship to enter an Academy.

All applicants must have a valid California Driver’s License with a safe driving history. Must be willing to work overtime and on-call, and work rotating shifts which involve relief shifts, days, nights, weekends and holidays. Applicants must meet the minimum peace officer selection standards which are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4:

• Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029)
• Legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law
• At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record
• Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation
• A high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

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

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. The following experience is desirable:

1) one (1) year of experience working with the public, or

2) two (2) years of college-level coursework, and/or volunteer law enforcement experience and/or work history in similar fields such as corrections, security, fire service, animal control, investigations, emergency response, communications dispatcher, and military service is desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Perform physical duties of handcuffing, seat belting, subduing an attacker or resisting persons using licks, grips, or control holds; use a baton; pursue fleeing suspects on foot; pull oneself up over obstacles; climb up to elevated surfaces; jump or climb over obstacles; balance on uneven or narrow surfaces; use bodily force to gain entry through barriers; ride a bicycle; ride a horse; operate a motorcycle, ATV, scooter or motor cart; drive or ride in vehicles for long periods of time on a continuous basis; distinguish red, yellow and blue flashing lights; hear alarms and sirens; draw weapon and fire with either hand; fire other weapons as required; wear leather gear and associated equipment weighing 15-25 lbs. for extended periods of time; read, understand and follow departmental rules, procedures, laws and general literature pertaining to law enforcement activities; write clear, legible and comprehensive reports and communicate effectively orally; work under physical and mental pressures in potentially hazardous situations wear self-contained breathing apparatus, including gas mask; use a computer keyboard and/or typewriter; lift and/or carry objects weighing 50 lbs. or more.
BENEFITS (Police Officer Trainee): Medical - The City currently pays the majority of the premium for employee and family for Medical (Anthem), and pays the entire premium for dental (Ameritas Dental), and vision (VSP) coverage. Other Benefits - Free transportation on the Arcata & Mad River Transportation System for employee and immediate family members. Free Employee Assistance Program benefits.

SPONSORSHIP – Upon approval, City pays costs related to attend the Academy.

NOTE:The employment application includes the supplemental application questions to be answered.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Initial testing will include a department interview. Additional testing will include a background investigation, polygraph test, psychological evaluation, and complete physical examination/drug screening.

P.O.S.T. Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): This is a written examination. Applicants must obtain a minimum passing score of 42.

EXTENDED TESTING PROCESS

COMPLETE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants will undergo a thorough investigation of their personal history, including drug and alcohol use, criminal history, finances, bias, work history, etc. All applicants must meet background investigation standards. Examples of possibly disqualifying items include use or sale of illegal drugs/narcotics within the past 1 to 3 years, depending on substance type, demonstrated bias, felony convictions, etc. If you would like to discuss a particular personal issue prior to testing, please contact the Arcata Police Department at (707) 822-2428, and they will provide you with general department parameters.

FIREARM ELLIGIBILITY: Applicants must be deemed eligible by the California Department of Justice to own and possess firearms.

POLYGRAPH TEST: This is the "lie detector" test. By monitoring your physiological response to questions given, the polygraph test determines the truthfulness of your responses.

CHIEF’S INTERVIEW: In this phase of the testing process, you will be interviewed by the Chief of Police.

AFTER A CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT IS MADE

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION: This evaluation is performed by a psychologist. You are required to complete a variety of test components wherein your responses are compared to established parameters. You are then given a numerical score which determines your suitability for the Police Officer position.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION/DRUG SCREENING: You will undergo a pre-employment physical examination. Actual employment is contingent upon the results of these examinations. If you are successful in all testing phases, and are accepted for employment, you will receive approximately four (4) months of field training and serve a probationary period of at least eighteen (18) months.

Important Note: Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications/requirements listed above. Applications that do not appear to meet the minimum qualifications will not move forward in the recruitment process.