Police Officer (Pre-Service)

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno (LGMS) Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting the community with professionalism, integrity, and compassion. We are accepting applications from Police Officers (Pre-Service) who are equally committed to providing the highest quality of service to our community and thrive in a fast-paced work environment. 

Who is a Pre-Service Police Officer? A Pre-Service Police Officer is a candidate who has completed the California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST)  Basic Police Academy training program or is currently enrolled in a California Basic Police Academy (unaffiliated) within at least four weeks of completing instructions and in good standing with the Academy. See "Required Education, Experience and Training" for other requirements.  

Grow your career with us!  The Police Officer classification series offers career growth opportunities for both new professionals and those with more work experience. The Department has a culture of promoting from within and offers different opportunities to broaden and gain specialized experience.

The Town of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno have a combined population of about 34,000 residents who enjoy a high quality of life with low crime rates. The LGMS Police Department is budgeted for 39 sworn and 21 civilian personnel and has over 50 community volunteers. The members of the LGMS Police Department work hard to provide a full range of services. They are committed to providing our residents, businesses, and visitors with the highest quality service. We are proud of the relationship with our community and are constantly solidifying that relationship through partnerships, collaboration, and individual contacts. The Police Department’s vision includes:

• Building a highly competent, professional police department.
• Building community relationships.
• Engaging in community problem solving.  

ABOUT THE POSITION
Under general supervision, police officers perform various peace officer duties involving protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, traffic control, crime prevention and suppression. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Identify problems or issues that are important to the community, and seek resolution of such problems through the resources of the Police Department, other Town Departments, and/or governmental agencies.
• Conduct preliminary or follow-up investigations of burglaries, thefts, robberies, deaths, accidents, and other disturbances. 
• Collect and present evidence and testify at hearings and in court in connection with criminal prosecutions. 
• Answer calls for protection of life and property in the enforcement of Town, County and State laws. 
• Initiate or maintain the custody of prisoners and transport to jail.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING 
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must have successfully completed the Basic Police Academy within the past year OR are currently enrolled in a California Basic Police Academy (unaffiliated) within at least 4 weeks of completing instructions and in good standing with the Academy, and;  

• Must be 21 years of age at time of appointment as a sworn Police Officer 
• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent alien who is eligible for and applied for citizenship. 
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License at time of appointment. 
• Graduation from high school or equivalent; and 
• At least one of the following criteria: 
  • 60 semester college credits or 90 quarter college credits from a U.S. accredited college or university at time of graduation from academy. (Police Academy credits are accepted as part of the education requirements); or 
  • Military Veteran with four (4) or more years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, or the National Coast Guard and an honorable discharge. Application 

• POST Academy Certificate 
• WSTB Score dated within one year 
• Pellet-B Score 

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Ability to fluently speak and understand a foreign language.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this career opportunity, click on the "Apply" button to complete the online application, and attach copies of your:

• California P.O.S.T Basic Certificate or P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver, or proof of completion of the P.O.S.T. Requalification process.
• Current WSTB (Agility Test) score dated within one year.