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FAQ

Find answers to common questions about pay, retirement plans, and professional growth in law enforcement.

Officer (Academy Graduate)

Calling all recent Police Academy graduates! Join our team as an officer and contribute to  the City of Los Altos Police Department’s commitment to excellence. 

Salary

Salary

$133,085.55 – $161,766.32 Annually

Incentive Pay

Incentive pay is in addition to your base salary.

  • CIT pay: +1%
  • Holiday pay: +5%
  • Anti-Bias: +1%
  • Intermediate POST Certificate: +5%
  • Advanced POST Certificate: +2.5% (7.5% total above base if you have Intermediate and Advanced POST Certificates)

Benefits

Benefits

Medical Coverage
  • CalPERS Medical Program
  • Health Coverage Opt Out Option
Wellness Program
  • Quality of Life Benefit
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
Work/Life Balance
  • Vacation
  • Comp Time
  • Sick Leave
  • 14 City-Observed Holidays
  • Holidays In Lieu
  • On-Duty Workout

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EXPERIENCE:

  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is eligible and has applied for citizenship
  • Must be able to successfully complete a 1.5 mile run in 14 minutes or fewer

EDUCATION:

  • Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required
  • An Associate Degree or completion of sixty (60) semester units of college level courses is highly desirable 

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Must possess a valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
  • Must possess certificate of completion or diploma from a POST-approved Police Academy
  • Must provide verification of the following test results: (Verification must be provided on agency letterhead where test was administered, must include test results, and tests must have been completed within 2 year of application date and submitted prior to background process):
    1. Must have successfully completed the California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) with a T-score of 47 or higher.
      • National Testing Network Exam Scores can be submitted in-lieu of PELLETB. Passing score is Video Score: 55, Writing Score: 65, Reading Score: 65.
      • City of Los Altos will sponsor the cost to take the PELLETB! After you apply, please contact HR@losaltosca.gov for more information on how to schedule your PELLETB.
    2. Must have successfully completed the California POST physical agility test (known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) with a score of 320 or higher

Recruitment Process

The recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a Live Scan background investigation. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification or termination. This applicant pool may be used to fill other vacant positions on an as-needed basis.

Please ensure the required passing test scores are attached with your application. Once your application is reviewed you will be asked to complete a personal history statement as the next step in the process. Please review and sign the release of information authorization found here (Download PDF reader) and attach the signed copy to your application. 

Example of Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

  1. Patrols the City in a radio car and on foot
  2. Answers calls for protection of life and private property and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws
  3. Participates in criminal investigations
  4. Interviews victims, complainants and witnesses
  5. Conducts physical arrests of criminal suspects
 Follow this link to view the entire job description: Police Officer

Officer (Lateral)

Join our team of dedicated public safety individuals who all believe in  serving our community with compassion and civility!

Salary

Salary

$133,085.55 – $161,766.32 Annually

Incentive Pay

Incentive pay is in addition to your base salary.

  • CIT pay: +1%
  • Holiday pay: +5%
  • Anti-Bias: +1%
  • Intermediate POST Certificate: +5%
  • Advanced POST Certificate: +2.5% (7.5% total above base if you have Intermediate and Advanced POST Certificates)

Benefits

Benefits

Medical Coverage
  • CalPERS Medical Program
  • Health Coverage Opt Out Option
Wellness Program
  • Quality of Life Benefit
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
Work/Life Balance
  • Vacation
  • Comp Time
  • Sick Leave
  • 14 City-Observed Holidays
  • Holidays In Lieu
  • On-Duty Workout

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EXPERIENCE:

  • Patrol and/or investigative experience with a law enforcement agency is required
    • Patrol and/or investigative experience with a California law enforcement agency is highly desirable
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is eligible and has applied for citizenship
  • Must be able to successfully complete a 1.5 mile run in 14 minutes or fewer
  • Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and Police Officer procedures is desirable

EDUCATION:

  • Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required
  • An Associate Degree or completion of sixty (60) semester units of college level courses is highly desirable 

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Must possess a valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
  • Must possess a POST Basic Certificate
    • This certificate is awarded to currently full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite Basic Course requirement and the employing agency’s probationary period

Recruitment Process

The recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a Live Scan background investigation. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification or termination. This applicant pool may be used to fill other vacant positions on an as-needed basis.

Please ensure the required passing test scores are attached with your application. Once your application is reviewed you will be asked to complete a personal history statement as the next step in the process. Please review and sign the release of information authorization found here (Download PDF reader) and attach the signed copy to your application. 

Examples of Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

  1. Patrols the City in a radio car and on foot
  2. Answers calls for protection of life and private property and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws
  3. Participates in criminal investigations
  4. Interviews victims, complainants and witnesses
  5. Conducts physical arrests of criminal suspects
Follow this link to view the entire job description: Police Officer

911 Dispatcher

The Police Communications Center is a fast-paced environment serving first responders and the community during emergency and non-emergency events. 

Salary

Salary

$114,762.95 – $139,495.09 Annually

Incentive Pay

Incentive pay is in addition to your base salary.

  • CIT pay: +1%
  • Holiday pay: +5%
  • Anti-Bias pay: +1%
  • Intermediate POST Certificate: +5%
  • Advanced POST Certificate: +2.5% (7.5% total above base if you have Intermediate and Advanced POST Certificates)

Benefits

Benefits

Medical Coverage
  • CalPERS Medical Program
  • Health Coverage Opt Out Option
Wellness Program
  • Quality of Life Benefit
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
Work/Life Balance
  • Vacation
  • Comp Time
  • Sick Leave
  • Holidays In Lieu
  • On-Duty Workout

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EXPERIENCE:

  • Patrol and/or investigative experience with a law enforcement agency is required
    • Patrol and/or investigative experience with a California law enforcement agency is highly desirable
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is eligible and has applied for citizenship
  • Must be able to successfully complete a 1.5 mile run in 14 minutes or fewer
  • Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and Police Officer procedures is desirable

EDUCATION:

  • Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required
  • An Associate Degree or completion of sixty (60) semester units of college level courses is highly desirable 

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Must possess a valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
  • Must possess a POST Basic Certificate
    • This certificate is awarded to currently full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite Basic Course requirement and the employing agency’s probationary period

Recruitment Process

This recruitment is open until filled with the next review of applications on June 5th, 2025. This applicant pool may be used to fill other vacant positions on an as-needed basis. Once your application is reviewed you will be asked to complete a personal history statement as the next step in the process. Please review and sign the release of information authorization found here (Download PDF reader) and attach the signed copy to your application. 

Examples of Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

  1. Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public for police, fire, or other emergency services; determines the nature of the call and the resources necessary to respond.
  2. Monitors police radio communications; maintains contact with police units to track officer status and respond to need for additional resources; monitors various radio channels to keep abreast of county-wide police activities affecting the City and assist other county agencies with mutual aid.
  3. Prioritizes requests for police and other public safety services; determines availability and location of patrol units; transmits information and dispatches police personnel and equipment in response to calls; routes calls for fire and emergency medical assistance to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
  4. Assists police personnel in the field by quickly and accurately researching and relaying criminal history information and other requested data.
  5. Communicates with callers to determine the nature of the call and provide appropriate assistance; maintains composure to ensure that complete and accurate information is transmitted to public safety and medical personnel.

Follow this link to view the entire job description: Communications Officer