What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer - Lateral position at City of Tucson?
Posting Close Date
Applicants must submit their completed application by 04-21-2025 at 11:59 p.m. MST
Application and Special Instructions
IMPORTANT NOTICE:This position is ONLY open to individuals who are CURRENTLY POST CERTIFIED as a law enforcement officer in another state or who are CURRENTLY AZ POST CERTIFIED.
Applicants for this position will be required to complete a Preliminary Applicant Questionnaire which will be emailed separately.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL POSITION ARE:
- Must be 21 years of age
- Must be a US Citizen
- Must have a valid and unrestricted Arizona Class D driver license
- No felony convictions or drug abuse
- Must be AZ POST Certified or certified in another state with the ability to obtain an AZ POST waiver (see below)
Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) Network Terminal Operator Certification must be obtained within 6 (six) weeks of hire and must be maintained throughout employment of this position
In lieu of attending the Public Safety Academy, applicants who are currently certified as a peace officer in another state may be eligible to obtain the AZ POST certification through the waiver process. To be eligible for this process, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Have previously served as a certified peace officer in Arizona, another state, or federal agency
2. Have completed basic and advanced training that demonstrates substantial comparability to the Arizona basic course
3. Obtain an appointment from an Arizona Law Enforcement Agency
4. Meet all of the minimum qualifications for certification as an Arizona Peace Officer
Applicants who are offered a position and meet the additional eligibility requirements for the waiver process must pass the following components of the AZ POST Basic assessment to maintain employment with TPD: written exam, firearms qualification, tactical driving qualification, and Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT).
**If an applicant cannot obtain AZ POST certification, they may be required to attend and successfully complete the Public Safety Academy to maintain employment with TPD.**
For more information on the waiver test qualifications process and timelines, please visit the AZ POST waiver website: https://post.az.gov/certification/waiver-process.
All probationary employees in this classification are subject to random drug screening during their EIGHTEEN MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD with the Tucson Police Department.
IMPORTANT DETAILS regarding the Police Officer position:
- Incumbents will be required to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.
- Overtime will be required as necessary.
- The probation period is 18 months.
- Incumbents will be exposed to highly sensitive and graphic crime scenes and calls for service.
- Incumbents will be frequently exposed to severe weather conditions to include excessive heat and heavy rain.
THE CURRENT PAY SCALE for Police Officer - Lateral is:
- Less than 1.5 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $29.44/hour
- 1.5 - 2.99 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $29.75/hour
- 3 - 4.99 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $30.99/hour
- 5 - 6.99 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $32.62/hour
- 7 - 8.99 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $34.45/hour
- 9 - 10.99 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $35.43/hour
- 11 years of sworn law enforcement experience = $37.63/hour
THE HIRING PROCESS includes an application/resume screening and a screening panel interview that is scheduled for the week of May 12, 2025. The scheduled start date for this position is Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR HIRE must successfully pass the following:
- An extensive background investigation, including local, state and national criminal and fingerprint checks
- Motor Vehicle History review
- A polygraph examination
- Pre-employment medical & psychological evaluations and drug screen
Position Specific Summary
The Police Officer position at the City of Tucson’s Police Department protects life and property through the enforcement of criminal laws, education, crime prevention, and communication. This position partners with the community through patrolling routes, responding to emergency situations and complaints, and collision investigations.
Work is performed under the supervision of a police sergeant. This position does not supervise.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Responds to routine and emergency calls by contacting the reporting person and witnesses, and determining the nature of the call, and action to be taken. Conducts follow-up investigations and makes arrests when appropriate. Investigates crimes by interviewing witnesses and victims, dusting for fingerprints, gathering, tagging and storing evidence, taking photographs, confirming status of stolen property, initiating recovery procedures, and preparing reports. Acts in a higher capacity temporarily as needed by directing other officers at a crime scene.
- Performs patrol duties by traveling through designated areas, searching for suspicious, hazardous, or criminal activity, conducting field interviews with suspected offenders, and making arrests when appropriate. Enforces criminal and traffic laws by conducting traffic stops and issuing warnings and/or citations.
- Completes incident and statistical reports. Trains officers in field procedures, decision making, and police tactics. Attends court to testify about involvement in work related to criminal investigations. Attends regular in-service trainings to maintain police certifications, improve proficiency with police related tools and tactics, and implement new concepts in policing.
- Educates the community by teaching classes at schools, conducting block watch meetings, making public presentations, and answering inquiries regarding legal and safety issues. Assists with crime prevention by attending public meetings and sharing crime trends.
- Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned. Occasionally coordinates the work of interns, volunteers or temporary employees.
Working Conditions
This position involves indoor and outdoor work with heavy exposure to extreme physical, ergonomic, or emotional hazards. Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays. May be required to work mandatory overtime.
All duties and responsibilities listed are subject to change.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
No experience
Equivalency
Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
License/Certifications
Valid and unrestricted Arizona Class D Driver License - Arizona Department of Transportation - Motor Vehicle Division
Preferred Qualifications
POSITION DETAILS
Job Profile
J6311 - Police Officer
To view the full job profile including classification specifications and physical demands click
here
.
Compensation Grade
G302
Hourly Range
$29.44 - 41.42 USD
The City of Tucson considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Position Type
Regular
Time Type
Full time
Department
Police Department
Department Link
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Police
Background Check: This position has been designated to require a criminal background check.
ABOUT US
Benefits: The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions. The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind. Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings. With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years. We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours. You can learn more about our benefits at
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefit-Snapshot.
Citizenship: The City of Tucson employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The City of Tucson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD).
The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation; please contact Human Resources at
EmployeeLeaves@tucsonaz.gov
or 520-791-2619.
Recruiter Name
Carolyn Cruse
Recruiter Email
tpd_hr@tucsonaz.gov
For general Human Resources questions please contact 520-791-4241.
Salary : $35
