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Job Description
Job Summary
Important Recruitment Notice
This position is part of a continuous recruitment process.
Please note: We are not currently accepting applications. The next application cycle will open on June 9, 2025.
We understand this delay may be inconvenient, but we encourage you to check back and apply once the position reopens. Your interest is truly appreciated, and we look forward to receiving your application during the next cycle.
Questions?
Please contact Rosie Cruz at rosie.cruz@santamonica.gov for more information.
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Join Santa Monica PD - We Hire for Character & Train for Skill
Join one of the highest-paid police departments in California, where competitive compensation is just the beginning. At SMPD, you’ll experience the excitement of working in a world-class destination, Santa Monica’s beaches, iconic pier, and vibrant community make it a place like no other. Beyond the pay, you’ll find a truly rewarding career where purpose, community impact, and personal growth are our priorities. With a supportive team culture and numerous career development pathways, SMPD offers opportunities to advance and diversify your skills across a wide range of assignments. Our focus on well-being, ongoing training, and a balanced work environment ensures you’ll be both challenged and supported as you make a positive difference in Santa Monica.
This non-sworn classification participates in a formal academic and physical police training program and is expected to successfully complete the basic training courses as prescribed by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). During the 22-weeks academy, the salary is $7,575 per month. Upon successful completion of the academy, the candidate will advance to the classification of Police Officer and will serve a one-year probationary period.
Base Salary - Police Officer
Step 1 - $116,004
Step 2 - $121,728
Step 3 - $128,892
Step 4 - $136,044
Step 5 - $143,208
Below is what you can potentially be making annually at Step 1 and Step 5 of the Police Officer salary range.
Salary and Benefits Breakdown
Step 1
Top Step (5)
Base Salary
$116,004
$143,208 ($68.85 hourly)
Longevity Pay
None
$20,049 (14% of base salary after 20 years)
Education
$14,849 (12.80%)
$18,331 (12.80%)
Bilingual Pay
$1,800 (for Spanish, $150/mo.)
$1,800 (for Spanish, $150/mo.)
Uniform Allowance
$1,200 (paid bi-weekly)
$1,200 (paid bi-weekly)
Holiday Pay
$7,808 (35 hours paid quarterly x 4 quarters = 140 hours annually
$9,639 (35 hours paid quarterly x 4 quarters = 140 hours annually)
Total
$141,661
$194,227
Additional Compensation Opportunities :- Other incentives not included in total above: K9, Overtime, FTO, Film Assignments, Call Back Pay, Telephone Calls Pay, Call Back Pay, Wellness Hour, Military Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave, FMLA, Personal Leave Cash Out, Employee Parking
Additional Incentives and Benefits:
Longevity Pay (Applies to Overtime)- 2.7% of base salary Over 5 years to 10 years
- 7% of base salary Over 10 years to 15 years
- 11.1% of base salary Over 15 years
- 14% of base salary Over 20 years
Educational Incentive Pay (Applies to Overtime)- 6% of base for Intermediate P.O.S.T. Certificate or AA/AS
- 12.8% of base Advance P.O.S.T. Certificate or BA/BS
Bilingual Pay- $1200/annual
- $1800/annual for Spanish
Uniform Allowance- $1200/annual
Pay in Lieu of Holiday - 14 holidays- Compensation equals ten hours at the employee’s regular rate of pay
- 35 hours paid quarterly x 4 quarters = 140 hours annually
Annual Sick Leave Cash Out- Less than 10 years of service max 6 days
- 10 plus years of service 12 days max
Annual Vacation Cash Out- Less than 5 years Up to 60 hours
- 5 years or more Up to 120 hours
Supplemental Information
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8245, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
Police Officer Benefits- CalPERS Retirement*
- Paid Medical for Officer and Family - Emp. pays 10% of monthly prem.
- Dental and Vision Coverage - City paid
- Paid Vacation -10 hours (1.5 years) / 12 hours (5-10 years / 14 hours (10+ years)per month
- Personal Leave - 40 hours per year (10+ years)
- Paid Floating Holidays - 120 hours/year
- Overtime - Paid as Cash for Comp Time Off (Accruable up to 80 banked hours at a time)
- Sick Leave - 8 hours per month
- Sick Leave Buy Back - 48-96 hours per year available to convert to pay or leave after 22 sick days accrued
- Annual Sick Leave Bonus - $250.00
- Lateral Vacation Bonus - 40 hours
- Lateral Sick Bonus - 40 hours available immediately
- 3/12 Patrol Work Schedule
- 4/10 Detective Work Schedule
- Paid Lunch Breaks
- Education Incentive - 6% Associates Degree or Intermediate POST Certificate / 12.8% for Bachelors or Advanced POST Certificate
- Bilingual Pay - $100 - $150
- Call Back Pay - 4 hour min.
- Court Appearance and Stand-By Pay
- Long Term Disability
- Uniform Allowance - $960 per year
- Deferred compensation plan available for voluntary employee contributions
- Medical Retirement Fund - Emp and City contributions
- Classic PERS Members: 3%@50 and pay 15.5% of Employee Member Contribution. Lateral transferring w/ 3%@50 retain this retirement rate.
Closing Date/Time: 6/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
Special Instructions
Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board. -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Santa Monica
Show moreSanta Monica is a beachside city of 8.3 square miles on the westside of Los Angeles County. Offering an environment of unparalleled natural beauty, the city is home to a mix of residential communities, commercial districts, and recreational venues. Recently named by National Geographic as one of the Top "10 Beach Cities in the World" and by TIME as one of the "Best Places to Live", Santa Monica features three miles of Pacific beaches and the Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica’s residential population is approximately 93,000, increasing to an estimated 250,000 during the day with tourists, shoppers, and employees. Tourism attracts over 8 million visitors annually.
The City of Santa Monica was incorporated on November 30, 1886 and subsequently adopted a City Charter in 1945. In 1947, a City Council-City Manager form of government was established. The City Council consists of seven members elected by the community at large to four year terms.
The City of Santa Monica is a full-service city. City departments provide police, fire, a regional transportation network, water, refuse and recycling, streets, parking, planning, building, engineering, free public wifi, a high speed fiber optic network, parks, affordable housing, economic development, library, rent control, recreational, cultural, and educational services to the community.
The City-operated Big Blue Bus regional bus service provides over 16.5 million rides for customers each year, all powered by renewable natural gas. Breeze Bike Share was Southern California's first bike share system with 500 bikes at 85 locations. In 2016, the Metro Expo Line opened connecting Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles in under an hour.
The City of Santa Monica is a national leader in environmental, economic and social sustainability. The City is working toward aggressive climate action goals including: water self-sufficiency by 2020, zero waste by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.
The highly-rated Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District serves both Santa Monica and Malibu residents. Santa Monica College (SMC), one of the state's top two-year community colleges, serves over 30,000 full-time and part-time students on several campuses and offers more than 90 fields of study. Santa Monica's strong education institutions are complemented by the 5-star rated Santa Monica Public Library system.
Public safety is a top priority in the City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica Fire Department continues to maintain a Class 1 ISO rating, the highest possible rating.
Santa Monica has a strong and diverse economy. Known as “Silicon Beach,” local businesses are at the leading edge of the nation’s creative economy and startup scene.
Sana Monica is also home to three renowned and respected health facilities, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente.
Connect with the City of Santa Monica by visiting www.santamonica.gov, follow @santamonicacity on Twitter, or sign up for the City's newsletter and emergency alerts at www.smgov.net/newsletter.
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