Police Officer - Lateral ($30K Hiring Incentive)

Police Officer - Lateral ($30K Hiring Incentive) Salary $7,362.00 - $10,875.00 Monthly

Location: City of Palm Springs, CA Job Type: Full Time - Regular Job Number: Police - Lateral 0126 Department: Police Opening Date: January 1, 2026 Closing Date: June 30, 2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The City of Palm Springs

Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there's always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on, visit the Engage Palm Springs website.

The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.

The Position

This position is a member of the Palm Springs Police Department and provides services in the enforcement of laws, including the protection of persons and property, the prevention of crimes, the control of traffic flow and enforcement of State and local traffic regulations, and performing a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

Pay Incentives

• $30,000 Hiring Bonus: Available to eligible new hire lateral police officers. Click HERE for more information.
• Longevity Pay: • 10 years - 11 years and 364 days - 2.50% • 12 years - 13 years and 364 days - 3.50% • 14 years - 15 years and 364 days - 4.50% • 16 years - 17 years and 364 days - 6.0% • 18 years - 19 years and 364 days - 7.50% • 20 years or more - 10.0%
• Education Pay: • Additional 1.5% of base salary for an associate degree. • Additional 3.0% of base salary for a bachelors degree.
• Special Compensation (Please review the current MOU for additional information and requirements): • Motor Officer: 5% of base salary • Lead Investigator: 10% of base salary • Canine Officer: 5% of base salary • FTO: 5% of base salary • Bilingual Pay: $250/per month Click the link below for additional information regarding benefits and pay.

Essential and General Responsibilities

Examples of Essential and General Responsibilities:

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order and discover and prevent the commission of crimes.
• Enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Respond to general public service and crime victim calls, traffic hazards, stray animal reports, and related misdemeanors and felony incidents.
• Plan, execute, write, and serve search warrants; search suspects, vehicles, residences, and buildings for evidence, contra band, and lost or missing people.
• Serve arrest warrants; make arrests for crimes committed under penal and institute codes; perform booking procedures for new prisoners; contact and interview witnesses to gain additional information.
• Process and store evidence and property found at various crime scenes; maintain records, and enter data into computer as necessary.
• Investigate organized crime and gang activities, subjects, groups, and representatives relative to assigned area of responsibility; collect intelligence information and produce cases and reports for presentation to the District Attorney.
• Review and investigate reports relating to vehicle theft and accidents.
• Conduct a variety of investigations relative to assigned area of responsibility, including narcotics, crimes against property and persons; gather information from witnesses and informants; interview suspects; prepare reports, and follow up on investigations.
• Testify in juvenile and civil courts and DMV hearings; prepare and process court reports.
• Maintain and operate specialized police surveillance equipment, including transmitters, radios, and cameras.
• Develop, conduct, and participate in training exercises and classes; respond to and resolve questions and concerns; stay abreast of current crime trends and innovative policing techniques; implement new information into training programs as appropriate.
• Perform unique duties of assigned area of responsibility, including SWAT, K-9, bicycle, and mounted police units.
• Assist other investigators and police divisions in related investigative activities.
• May serve in a lead capacity in the absence of immediate supervisor.
• Provide news releases to the media; conduct television interviews for public awareness.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Application and Exam Information

A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Benefits

The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
• Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Retirement Plan through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.

Supplemental Questionnaire

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to further evaluate your experience and education to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from the information included in the Work Experience and Education sections of your application? Yes No

What is your salary expectation?

For this position, you may not be related to any person currently working for the City of Palm Springs Police Department. Are you currently related to any other Police Department employee? Yes No

Do you have the required current employment, or employment within the last three (3) years as a full-time Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government and possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver? Yes No

What type of agency(s) have you been employed with as a Sworn Peace Officer? Check all that apply.

City County State Other

Please list the name(s) of agency(s) and location(s) that you have been employed as a Sworn Peace Officer.

Do you have the preferred California public agency experience as a Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government? Yes No

Please describe your preferred California public agency experience as a Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

Do you have the required High School Diploma or equivalent education? Yes No

Do you have possession of the required Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver? Yes, I have a Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate Yes, I have a California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver No

Do you have the required valid driver license with a satisfactory driving record? Yes No

Do you have the required C.P.R. Certificate? Yes No

Do you or will you live at the time of hire, within 1 hour driving distance from the Palm Springs Police Department? Yes No

Application Instructions

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on June 30, 2026, in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received. The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.