Police Officer

The Police Chief for the City of San Fernando is Fabian M. Valdez. The San Fernando Police Facility is located at 910 First Street, in the San Fernando Civic Center. The Department has approximately 20 non-sworn employees and 35 sworn employees, including the Police Chief, Commanders, Sergeants, Detectives, Field Training Officers, K-9 Officer, Patrol Officers, and School Resource Officer.

“The members of the San Fernando Police Department are committed to excellence in law enforcement.  Through the creation of partnerships with the community, we will provide service with honor, integrity and the highest standards of ethics.”

LATERAL ENTRY In addition to the requirements below, applicant must be currently employed as a full-time sworn paid Police Officer in the State of California with a Municipal, County or State law enforcement agency and have passed that department's probation period. Applicant shall possess a California POST basic certificate.

PRE-SERVICE TRAINED In addition to the minimum qualifications below, applicant must be enrolled at the time of application, or have successfully completed within the 12-month period immediately prior to date of application, a POST approved police officer training academy program.

ENTRY LEVEL The City of San Fernando is also accepting applications for entry level candidates on an on-going basis until all open positions are filled. Priority is given to lateral and preservice candidates as described in this flyer. Entry level candidates must meet the qualifications/special requirements listed and successfully pass the oral interview, a PELLETB written examination achieving a minimum score of 42, and complete the Physical Agilities Test, which includes completing the 1½ mile run in under 15 minutes. Additionally, the process will require passing background review, psychological examination, polygraph and medical examination. Successful candidates may then be sponsored into a local police academy as a police officer recruit.

Patrol an assigned area for the prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws and regulations. Respond to emergencies as directed by radio and telephone. Investigate unusual or suspicious conditions, traffic accidents, complaints. Make arrests, guard and transport prisoners and question suspects. Prepare reports on investigations, offenses, arrests and other activities. Support development of strong community policing relationship working to solve problems through collaborative efforts with our community. Additional special assignments include Detectives, K-9, Field Training, and School Resource Officer. Must perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

• EDUCATION High School graduation or its equivalent.
• LICENSE Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.   
• WEIGHT In proportion to height.
• HEARING Normal.
• VISION 20/80 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, normal color and peripheral vision. (As defined by POST guidelines).
• CITIZENSHIP In accordance with Government Code Section 1031, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. There are no specific citizenship requirements.
• BILINGUAL Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.
• CONTRACT New employees are required to sign a 24-month contract.
• LOYALTY OATH Candidates are required to take a loyalty oath before starting employment.

• ANNUAL SALARY $89,088 - $110,376
• INSURANCE The City pays the full cost of employee’s selected medical insurance plan, not to exceed the premium costs of the third most expensive plan available at each plan level offered by CalPERS for the LA County Region including the statutory PEMHCA minimum. The City pays the full dental and vision insurance for employee and eligible dependents. City pays for $50,000 term life/AD&D insurance policy. Additional voluntary purchase available, with no medical questions asked.  Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is voluntary for all City employees.
• RETIREMENT Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), 3% @ 50 for employees hired prior to 9/8/12; 3% @ 55 for those hired effective 9/8/12; and 2.7% @ 57 for new PERS members (hired effective 1/1/13). Effective 07/01/21, classic employees pay, as cost sharing, a total of (3%) of the City’s contribution. New members (hired effective 1/1/13) pay the full employee contribution of 50% of the total normal cost.
• SICK LEAVE 96 hours per year up to maximum of 800 hours, partial payment of unused accumulated sick leave.
• HOLIDAY Receive Holiday In-Lieu pay for 13 holidays (non-PERSable).
• SCHEDULE Desirable 3/12 - 4/12 workweek.
• VACATION 90 hours per year for 1-4 years of service (YOS) (180 hours cap); 135 hours per year for 5-14 YOS (270 hours cap); 180 hours per year for 15 or more YOS (360 hours cap).
• UNIFORM ALLOWANCE Unit members receive $960 uniform allowance per calendar year.
• BILINGUAL PAY $100 per month upon passing Spanish language bilingual exam.
• CERTIFICATE PAY Intermediate POST Certificate: 4%; Advanced Certificate and/or BA/BS Degree: 4%; Supervisory Certificate and/or Master’s Degree: 2.5%. All percentages are of base salary per month.
• SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAY 6% above base salary for Field training Officer, Motor Officer, Canine Officer, Detective, and School Resource Officer assignments.
• LONGEVITY PAY All employees are eligible for 5% after 5 YOS, 7.5% after 10 YOS, and 10% after 15 YOS.
• BEREAVEMENT LEAVE 5 days of leave (3 days paid) for immediate family members.