Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Trained)

Police Officer

Join the City of Orange Police Department as a Police Officer! Tentative testing date: Friday morning, June 12, 2026. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to the physical ability test on this date. $10,000 hiring incentive (lateral candidates only)$5,000 upon hire $5,000 upon successful completion of probation. The City of Orange is looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in the community they serve by becoming a member of one of the best Police Departments in Orange County.

Physical ability test components:

• Obstacle Course (Foot Pursuit): 99-yards in length. Involves various turns, balance beams, and a hurdle.
• 2 Six-foot Walls: Climb over one solid concrete wall and one chain-linked wall.
• Dummy Drag: Lift, drag, and pull a 165 lbs. dummy for 35 ft.
• 500-Yard Run: Timed completion of the distance.

Police Officer salary and benefits: The salary for Police Officer is $8,134 - $10,849 per month, plus very generous benefits and salary incentives.

Retirement Benefits An employee who is a Classic member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 3.0% @ age 50 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 12.0% of salary on a pre-tax basis as their full share of their member contribution. Employees do not pay into Social Security. Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired sworn employees who are new CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ age 57 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation, in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

Other Benefits Orange Police Officers work a 3/12 schedule for Patrol Officers and a 4/10 schedule for all special assignments. Employees receive 105 hours per year of holiday accrual, and 80 hours of vacation for the first 4 years of service. Vacation accrual increases to 120 hours upon 5 years of service, and increases to a maximum of 220 hours after 30 years of service. The City also pays court standby pay. In addition to retirement, the City offers an optional Deferred Compensation Plan.

Automatic Disqualifiers Prior to submitting an application, please read the Automatic Disqualifier Notice to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the position.

Examples of Duties

Enforces city, county and state laws; patrols assigned areas; responds to calls for protection of life and property; conducts preliminary investigations of matters involving possible violations of law; investigates criminal cases; directs and controls traffic flow; stops violators; warns against unlawful practices, issues citations, testifies in court; prepares and submits reports; inspects business premises; investigates suspicious persons and circumstances; gives information and directions to the public; reviews case records and reports; collects and identifies evidence; apprehends and arrests criminal law violators; enforces parking regulations; attends training assignments and target practice; performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Lateral Police Officer Requirements 1. Graduation from high school or equivalent. 2. Candidates must be a graduate of a California certified POST Basic Police Academy and possess and maintain Basic POST Certificate. A physical ability test is required graduation from Police Academy occurred more than 6 months ago. 3. Must be currently employed as a sworn Peace Officer with a minimum of one year of full-time experience as a sworn Peace Officer. 4. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 5. Possession of a valid California driver license with good driving record. 6. All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters. Academy-Trained Police Officer Requirements 1. Successful completion of a California certified P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy or current enrollment in an Academy. 2. Graduation from high school or equivalent. 3. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 4. At least 20 years of age at time of application and at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. 5. Possession of a valid California driver license with good driving record. 6. All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Supplemental Information

Employees must meet standards of physical stature, endurance, and agility established by the City. Tasks involve frequent driving, walking and standing, and occasional running; frequent light lifting and occasional lifting of heavy objects or persons; employee must have the physical ability to apprehend and restrain subjects and to defend one's self from attack. Tasks involve the operation of vehicles, firearms, and other equipment in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important ingredients of safe and productive operations. Tasks may require exposure to extreme heat or cold, extreme weather conditions, strong odors and/or smoke, dust, or pollen. Tasks require visual, color, depth, and sound perception as well as oral communications ability.

Police Officer

Join the City of Orange Police Department as a Police Officer! Tentative testing date: Friday morning, June 12, 2026. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to the physical ability test on this date. $10,000 hiring incentive (lateral candidates only)$5,000 upon hire $5,000 upon successful completion of probation. The City of Orange is looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in the community they serve by becoming a member of one of the best Police Departments in Orange County.

Physical ability test components:

• Obstacle Course (Foot Pursuit): 99-yards in length. Involves various turns, balance beams, and a hurdle.
• 2 Six-foot Walls: Climb over one solid concrete wall and one chain-linked wall.
• Dummy Drag: Lift, drag, and pull a 165 lbs. dummy for 35 ft.
• 500-Yard Run: Timed completion of the distance.

Police Officer salary and benefits: The salary for Police Officer is $8,134 - $10,849 per month, plus very generous benefits and salary incentives.

Retirement Benefits An employee who is a Classic member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 3.0% @ age 50 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 12.0% of salary on a pre-tax basis as their full share of their member contribution. Employees do not pay into Social Security. Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired sworn employees who are new CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ age 57 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation, in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

Other Benefits Orange Police Officers work a 3/12 schedule for Patrol Officers and a 4/10 schedule for all special assignments. Employees receive 105 hours per year of holiday accrual, and 80 hours of vacation for the first 4 years of service. Vacation accrual increases to 120 hours upon 5 years of service, and increases to a maximum of 220 hours after 30 years of service. The City also pays court standby pay. In addition to retirement, the City offers an optional Deferred Compensation Plan.

Automatic Disqualifiers Prior to submitting an application, please read the Automatic Disqualifier Notice to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the position.

Examples of Duties

Enforces city, county and state laws; patrols assigned areas; responds to calls for protection of life and property; conducts preliminary investigations of matters involving possible violations of law; investigates criminal cases; directs and controls traffic flow; stops violators; warns against unlawful practices, issues citations, testifies in court; prepares and submits reports; inspects business premises; investigates suspicious persons and circumstances; gives information and directions to the public; reviews case records and reports; collects and identifies evidence; apprehends and arrests criminal law violators; enforces parking regulations; attends training assignments and target practice; performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Lateral Police Officer Requirements 1. Graduation from high school or equivalent. 2. Candidates must be a graduate of a California certified POST Basic Police Academy and possess and maintain Basic POST Certificate. A physical ability test is required graduation from Police Academy occurred more than 6 months ago. 3. Must be currently employed as a sworn Peace Officer with a minimum of one year of full-time experience as a sworn Peace Officer. 4. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 5. Possession of a valid California driver license with good driving record. 6. All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters. Academy-Trained Police Officer Requirements 1. Successful completion of a California certified P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy or current enrollment in an Academy. 2. Graduation from high school or equivalent. 3. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 4. At least 20 years of age at time of application and at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. 5. Possession of a valid California driver license with good driving record. 6. All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Supplemental Information

Employees must meet standards of physical stature, endurance, and agility established by the City. Tasks involve frequent driving, walking and standing, and occasional running; frequent light lifting and occasional lifting of heavy objects or persons; employee must have the physical ability to apprehend and restrain subjects and to defend one's self from attack. Tasks involve the operation of vehicles, firearms, and other equipment in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important ingredients of safe and productive operations. Tasks may require exposure to extreme heat or cold, extreme weather conditions, strong odors and/or smoke, dust, or pollen. Tasks require visual, color, depth, and sound perception as well as oral communications ability.

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