Police Officer - Lateral or Academy Complete / Out of State Lateral

Join Our Team Today: $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for Lateral Police Officers!

The City of Ventura is now accepting applications for lateral Police Officer opportunities, even if you are an out-of-state lateral officer. We are seeking experienced, dedicated, and service-minded law enforcement professionals who are committed to protecting and serving our vibrant coastal community. Known for its strong team culture and commitment to public safety, the Ventura Police Department offers an environment that values innovation, ongoing training, and teamwork. If you're looking to grow your law enforcement career in a supportive and forward-thinking agency, this is your opportunity.

Police Officers work under general supervision and perform regular law enforcement, criminal investigation, crime prevention, and traffic control and enforcement duties. Police Officers may perform duties in specialty assignments such as motorcycle officer, K-9, major crimes investigations, special investigations, SWAT, and field tactical units. This position requires wearing a uniform and working rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and is subject to call-back.

Position Classifications

• Police Officer – Lateral or Academy Complete (for California POST-certified applicants): This opportunity is available to individuals currently employed as peace officers in California or who have completed a California POST-certified Basic Academy. Applicants must meet all California POST requirements. For in-state CA POST-certified applicants.

• Police Officer Trainee – Lateral/Pre-POST Certification (for applicants without California POST certification): This option is for applicants who have completed a basic law enforcement academy equivalent to California POST standards. Out-of-state laterals must complete the California POST Basic Course Waiver process upon hire with the City of Ventura to obtain California POST certification. Applicants with prior California law enforcement employment must complete the Three-Year Requalification. Upon successful completion of California POST requirements and all department and state-mandated standards, lateral trainees will transition into a sworn Police Officer position. Those applicants meeting the criteria above who are hired will be paid to attend the 160-hour POST qualification/requalification course if that component is not yet fulfilled. The department will cover all costs for tuition, course materials, and any necessary hotel expenses during attendance.

Why Join the Ventura Police Department?

• $10,000 sign-on bonus for Lateral Police Officers
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including paid on-duty workouts
• 3 days on, 4 days off patrol schedule
• State-of-the-art training and equipment
• A supportive team environment with strong civic engagement
• Coastal community with endless opportunities for career growth and advancement

Experience and Qualifications for Success!

A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to completion of high school. College coursework in behavioral or social science, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable, and the following requirements must be met:

• LATERAL applicants: Must possess a California POST Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate and have one year experience as a Police Officer with a California agency.
• ACADEMY-TRAINED applicants: Must have successfully completed a California POST Certified Basic Academy.
• ACADEMY-IN-PROCESS applicants: Must be currently enrolled in a California POST Certified Basic Academy program and be within three months of graduation.

Certificate: Possession of a California POST "Basic" certificate is required at time of hire.

License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required at time of hire.

OUT OF STATE LATERAL and Applicants with prior California law enforcement employment without CA POST certification – Must successfully complete the California POST Requalification Course, and all other requirements and prerequisites required to obtain either the Three-Year Requalification (applicants with prior California law enforcement employment) or the Basic Course Waiver Assessment Process (out-of-state applicants).

Apply Now!

Submit a city application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted on a continuous basis. Applications are reviewed weekly, and candidates are encouraged to apply for immediate consideration. Open until filled.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire, may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail. Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review:

All applicants meeting the minimum requirements will have their names certified to the eligibility list and forwarded to the Police Department for further consideration.

Additional selection and hiring components include department selection interview, physical agility assessment*, polygraph, background investigation, post-offer psychological and medical examinations.

The physical agility assessment* consists of the following components:

• Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement
• Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy 32 feet.
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot-high chain-link fence, continue running 25 yards.
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot-high solid fence, continue running 25 yards.
• 500 Yard Run: Run 500 yards with no obstacles.

Learn More – Additional Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City's Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Police Officer Lateral or Police Officer Trainee (Lateral-Pre-POST Certification).

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Recruitment Team at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov or (805) 654-7802.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!

Join Our Team Today: $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for Lateral Police Officers!

The City of Ventura is now accepting applications for lateral Police Officer opportunities, even if you are an out-of-state lateral officer. We are seeking experienced, dedicated, and service-minded law enforcement professionals who are committed to protecting and serving our vibrant coastal community. Known for its strong team culture and commitment to public safety, the Ventura Police Department offers an environment that values innovation, ongoing training, and teamwork. If you're looking to grow your law enforcement career in a supportive and forward-thinking agency, this is your opportunity.

Police Officers work under general supervision and perform regular law enforcement, criminal investigation, crime prevention, and traffic control and enforcement duties. Police Officers may perform duties in specialty assignments such as motorcycle officer, K-9, major crimes investigations, special investigations, SWAT, and field tactical units. This position requires wearing a uniform and working rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and is subject to call-back.

Position Classifications

• Police Officer – Lateral or Academy Complete (for California POST-certified applicants): This opportunity is available to individuals currently employed as peace officers in California or who have completed a California POST-certified Basic Academy. Applicants must meet all California POST requirements. For in-state CA POST-certified applicants.

• Police Officer Trainee – Lateral/Pre-POST Certification (for applicants without California POST certification): This option is for applicants who have completed a basic law enforcement academy equivalent to California POST standards. Out-of-state laterals must complete the California POST Basic Course Waiver process upon hire with the City of Ventura to obtain California POST certification. Applicants with prior California law enforcement employment must complete the Three-Year Requalification. Upon successful completion of California POST requirements and all department and state-mandated standards, lateral trainees will transition into a sworn Police Officer position. Those applicants meeting the criteria above who are hired will be paid to attend the 160-hour POST qualification/requalification course if that component is not yet fulfilled. The department will cover all costs for tuition, course materials, and any necessary hotel expenses during attendance.

Why Join the Ventura Police Department?

• $10,000 sign-on bonus for Lateral Police Officers
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including paid on-duty workouts
• 3 days on, 4 days off patrol schedule
• State-of-the-art training and equipment
• A supportive team environment with strong civic engagement
• Coastal community with endless opportunities for career growth and advancement

Experience and Qualifications for Success!

A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to completion of high school. College coursework in behavioral or social science, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable, and the following requirements must be met:

• LATERAL applicants: Must possess a California POST Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate and have one year experience as a Police Officer with a California agency.
• ACADEMY-TRAINED applicants: Must have successfully completed a California POST Certified Basic Academy.
• ACADEMY-IN-PROCESS applicants: Must be currently enrolled in a California POST Certified Basic Academy program and be within three months of graduation.

Certificate: Possession of a California POST "Basic" certificate is required at time of hire.

License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required at time of hire.

OUT OF STATE LATERAL and Applicants with prior California law enforcement employment without CA POST certification – Must successfully complete the California POST Requalification Course, and all other requirements and prerequisites required to obtain either the Three-Year Requalification (applicants with prior California law enforcement employment) or the Basic Course Waiver Assessment Process (out-of-state applicants).

Apply Now!

Submit a city application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted on a continuous basis. Applications are reviewed weekly, and candidates are encouraged to apply for immediate consideration. Open until filled.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire, may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail. Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review:

All applicants meeting the minimum requirements will have their names certified to the eligibility list and forwarded to the Police Department for further consideration.

Additional selection and hiring components include department selection interview, physical agility assessment*, polygraph, background investigation, post-offer psychological and medical examinations.

The physical agility assessment* consists of the following components:

• Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement
• Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy 32 feet.
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot-high chain-link fence, continue running 25 yards.
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot-high solid fence, continue running 25 yards.
• 500 Yard Run: Run 500 yards with no obstacles.

Learn More – Additional Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City's Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Police Officer Lateral or Police Officer Trainee (Lateral-Pre-POST Certification).

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Recruitment Team at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov or (805) 654-7802.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!

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