Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

The City of Menlo Park is currently accepting applications for police academy graduates that are motivated, well-trained professionals who can meet the challenge of a fast paced, multi-tasking law enforcement environment. 

Menlo Park’s police department is an operation in which the line patrol officers enjoy communicating and building relationships with individuals within the community. We embrace a true community connection and commitment with participants on all sides. Rather than designating certain officers to focus on solving community problems, Menlo Park will charge all police personnel with proactive community policing responsibilities. We ask our officers to seek innovative solutions to local problems, respond to citizen complaints of violations and provide excellent customer service.

A small agency, such as Menlo Park’s police department, will enable you to attain a breadth of experience and exposure through which to advance your career in numerous ways. We seek individuals enticed by our vision and who want to bring high energy, innovation, self-motivation and passion to their chosen profession. The City of Menlo Park recognizes the value of continuing education and increased knowledge acquired through personal and professional development of its’ workforce and allows employees to further their education goals. Accordingly, the City is committed to providing support for learning opportunities that directly and indirectly assist employees in achieving their personal and professional learning goals.

Additionally, major thoroughfares coursing through our fully developed community make traffic management a vital duty of all patrol officers. Overall, the department has strong opportunities for specialty assignments, including K9, investigations, narcotics enforcement and SWAT/HNT. Patrol teams enjoy a rotating 4/12 plan or a fixed 4/10 schedule in specialty assignments.

The City realizes the diversity of the community and therefore upon approval, the City pays officers a bilingual stipend. Our officers continually strive to be the best and achieve high standards; they receive a 5% incentive for achieving their Intermediate POST certificate and 10% incentive for achieving their advanced certificate. The City has new desktop and laptop computers in place for employees. The City already has crime analysis and traffic analysis software systems in place. A new handheld citations system for traffic recently launched. The City also implemented a citywide GIS system, document imaging system and intranet, which are available to all staff members. Additionally, we have placed laptops in all patrol cars in order to facilitate timely report writing and response to calls for service.

Ideal candidate
We are seeking well-qualified academy graduates who are enthusiastic, community-oriented team players with the skills and ability to interact and deal effectively with a culturally and socioeconomically diverse population. We pride ourselves in our staff, individuals who exhibit excellent interpersonal skills, and a sincere desire to make a difference. Come discover why so many officers develop their careers here and retire from our department.

Job requirements

• Graduation from an accredited Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic academy (or California POST approved equivalent)
• Minimum 21 years of age at time of appointment
• California Government Code Section 1031(a) requires that police officers be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship
• Graduation from high school or equivalent; additional education at the college level is preferred
• Valid California driver’s license
• POST standard physical requirements
• Applicants must include the POST Basic Academy graduation certificate as an attachment to their application

Benefits
The City offers an excellent benefit package consisting of:

• A City-paid Caltrain Go Pass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park.
• For non-Caltrain riders, the City offers employees a commuter check program of up to $75.00 per month toward the purchase of a non-Caltrain monthly transit pass; or a transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
• Health insurance: City contribution up to $2,128 per month toward a cafeteria plan, which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health and/or dependent care reimbursement
• Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vacation: 96–176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
• Sick leave: Eight hours per month
• Holidays: 13 holidays
• CalPERS retirement: For classic members 3%@55; for new members 2.7%@57 formula
• Uniform allowance: $1,040 annually
• Deferred compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans
• Life insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1-1/2 times regular annual wage 
• Long term disability: City-paid coverage
• Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost

Special Requirements

Applications received without the following will be deemed incomplete and not considered in the recruitment process: Complete application Supplemental questionnaire responses POST basic academy graduation certificate