Police Officer Entry, Lateral and Reserve Level – Continuous Filing

A Police Officer performs a variety of duties involved in the law enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces State and local traffic regulations, participates in and conducts a variety of criminal investigations; provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement programs; and performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities. Patrol shifts are a 3/12 schedule.

• General – U.S. citizenship or permanent resident who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship prior to submitting an application for employment. 
• Minimum Age – Age 21 at the time of academy graduation.
• Education and Training – High School Diploma or GED.
• License or Certificates – A valid California Class “C” Driver’s License, which permits you to drive an automobile and provide evidence of an acceptable driving record. Possession of, or the ability to obtain a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate.

Public Safety Dispatcher – Continuous Filing 

A Public Safety Dispatcher performs a variety of functions involved in received, evaluation, prioritizing and relaying calls for emergency and non-emergency public safety assistance; to dispatch appropriate units and coordinate response of emergency personnel; to operate a variety of telecommunications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; and to perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of material related to law enforcement activities. Dispatcher shifts are 3/12 schedule.

• General – U.S. citizenship or permanent resident who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship prior to submitting an application for employment.
• Education and Training – High School Diploma and GED.
• License or Certificates – Satisfactory completion of Peace Officer Standards Training (P.O.S.T) Commission certified 120-hour basic Public Safety Dispatcher course within twelve months of date of hire.
• Experience – Six months of customer service experience required.

Signing Bonus:

Newly hired Entry Level Police Officers and Lateral Police Officers are eligible for a $6,500 signing bonus as an incentive to join the City. The signing bonus will be paid out in two (2) installments as follows:

-$3,500 within a month of being hired and sworn in.

-$3,000 within a month of successful completion of probation. 

The signing bonus is not considered “salary” and shall not be included for purposes of retirement benefit calculations or salary increases. The signing bonus amount will be subject to federal and state tax withholding as bonus earnings. 

Payment of the signing bonus is contingent upon:

-Employee must be actively employed at the time of any payment; and

-Employee must be in good standing and not on any form of unsatisfactory performance rating or discipline; and

Eligibility:

A full-time new employee hired as an Entry Level Police Officer or Lateral Police Officer positions who has not worked for the City of El Centro within the last two (2) years will be eligible to receive the signing bonus.

Employee’s Obligation:

Employee must agree to work for the El Centro Police Department on a regular and full-time basis for at least two (2) years. If employee resigns, quits or is released or terminated before the two (2) years of employment must repay a prorated amount of the signing bonus calculated at $270.83 per month ($6,500 / 24 months = $270.83).