The Manhattan Beach Police Department invites current City of Manhattan Beach Police Department employees to apply and participate in the promotional Police Captain exam.
This recruitment is open only to current Manhattan Beach Police Department employees.
Under administrative direction, manages assigned programs, personnel and operations for the Field Operations Bureau or the Administration and Investigation Bureau of the Police Department; plans and manages staffing, budget, and operations and prepares, reviews, and presents management reports; acts on behalf of Chief of Police during absences; and performs other related duties as assigned.
Education/Training/Experience:
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Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Criminal Science, Public Administration, or a related field is required.
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Seven (7) years of local law enforcement work is required, preferably including two (2) years of experience at or above the level of Police Lieutenant.
Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:
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Satisfactory completion of Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Supervisory P.O.S.T certification is required.
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Satisfactory completion of P.O.S.T. Management certification within two (2) years of assignment to this job classification is required.
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Incumbents are required to continually maintain the P.O.S.T. Basic certificate and meet all P.O.S.T. and agency standards and requirements during employment.
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Valid Class C California driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
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Ability to work extended hours in order to meet shift needs, complete reports, attend meetings, or conduct police business.
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In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.
Knowledge of:
Police science principles and practices; budgetary practices; personnel management, training, and supervisory principles and techniques; contracts administration practices and negotiations techniques; community-oriented policing principles; sworn and non-sworn police programs, including jail services, records management, and other services; Federal Constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications; State laws, Penal Codes, Traffic Codes, Juvenile Codes, Business and Profession Codes, Government Codes, Civil Codes, statutes, Court decisions and case law; local codes and ordinances, departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and custody of prisoners or contraband; Police Officer Bill of Rights; labor contract requirements related to work and performance standards of staff; self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques; radio codes, transmission procedures and communication techniques; principles of human behavior and conflict resolution techniques; professional training standards; communicable disease control methods and techniques; public relations practices.
Ability to:
Operate and demonstrate use of standard office equipment, police vehicles, communications equipment, and Department weapons; plan, coordinate and manage the work of employees for an assigned shift or bureau; gather, analyze, and evaluate facts of evidence, draw sound conclusions, and prepare and present management reports and statistical records; evaluate operational effectiveness; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, police management, City departments, law enforcement agencies, community groups and the general public; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; participate in employee selection, training, supervision and evaluation; administer budget for assigned functions, activities and programs; analyze management problems and adopt effective courses of action; operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, and firearms and weapons; coordinate, train, supervise, and evaluate the work of employees for an assigned unit or work section; interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances; convey clear instructions or execute commands; accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports; exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations; think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations; relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.
Application filing deadline is Thursday, August 5, 2026.
All applicants will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
The selection process will consist of the following components and weights:
Oral Panel Interview inclusive of Background & Experience (60%)
Oral Presentation (40%)
Candidate Orientation is currently scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2026. The assessment center components are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026. Qualified candidates will be notified of specifics at a later date. Dates may be subject to change.
Note: Candidates must successfully pass each step of the recruitment process to be placed on the Eligibility List.
If you need special assistance in the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (310) 802-5258.
