POLICE OFFICER
(LATERAL)
Lateral Entry: Possession of a valid POST Basic certificate and previous or current sworn peace officer employment with a California law enforcement agency. Please refer to the qualification guidelines below for additional details.
This recruitment will result in an eligibility list for the Police Officer classfication to meet the current and future staffing needs of the Police Department.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.
Are you interested in making a positive impact to a community? By choosing to work for the City of Ontario, you are committing to an honorable profession in public service in which you can make a positive contribution to the City's residents, business owners, workers, and visitors. When you come to work each day, you are doing something important and meaningful for the community. Ontario is an economic leader in the Inland Empire, making it an excellent choice for a law enforcement career. We offer the opportunities and resources of a large department with the teamwork of a small one. Police Officers protect life and property through the enforcement of laws/ordinances and the provision of non-criminal services. Police Officers patrol an assigned beat to identify circumstances that indicate a threat to life or property and to take action to mitigate such threats.
Special Pay
The City of Ontario Police Department provides numerous special pay opportunities as an added benefit to officers. Listed below are pay incentives that eligible officers receive in addition to their base pay:
BILINGUAL PAY: EQUAL TO 6% OF BASE PAY
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PAY: UP TO 7.5% OF BASE PAY
SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL PAY: UP TO 3% OF BASE PAY
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS:
MOTORCYCLE PAY: EQUAL TO 5% OF BASE PAY
AIR SUPPORT/HELICOPTER: EQUAL TO 5% OF BASE PAY
AIRPORT OPERATIONS: EQUAL TO 5.12% OF BASE PAY
CANINE PAY: EQUAL TO 5% OF BASE PAY
PILOT PAY: EQUAL TO 8% OF BASE PAY
FTO PAY: EQUAL TO 5% OF BASE PAY
Background Investigation
All appointments to this position are subject to a satisfactory background investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department. The background investigation will include the following: passing of a polygraph test and the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including drug screen). Candidates may be disqualified from further consideration during the background investigation for a variety of reasons including if they have: an excessive number of traffic citations and/or collisions; arrests and/or convictions; a history of illegal substance abuse; poor credit history (factors include bankruptcy, foreclosures, liens, repossessions, and recency); or thefts from a previous employer. For clarification of any of the above disqualifying reasons, please call the Police Department Background Unit at (909) 408-1820. The following list describes some areas that are covered in the background investigation:
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Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for a career in law enforcement.
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The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.
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You must list a history of your residences.
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Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.
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Military service records are subject to verification.
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The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you).
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Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated. Felony convictions will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process.
The Ontario Police Department
The mission of the Ontario Police Department is to protect life and property, build and maintain authentic relationships, and enhance the quality of life in our community.
TEAMWORK: Fulfilling community partnerships that instill pride, passion and commitment through communication and performance. Learn from the past and embrace the future through empowerment, respect, and cooperation.
PROFESSIONALISM: It is not the job we do; it is how we do our job. We are engaging and considerate with our actions, image, and conduct.
INTEGRITY: We hold honesty as our guiding principle. When faced with difficult decisions, we do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.
ACCOUNTABILITY: We openly identify and address problems and willingly accept responsibility for our own actions.
DEDICATION: We are committed to our craft and to the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ontario.
The City of Ontario
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.
The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2025 State of the City
Help make a difference to the community by becoming a contributing member of Ontario's progressive Police Department. By choosing to continue your law enforcement career with the Ontario Police Department, you will be rewarded with a dynamic and supportive environment in which to pursue your professional and personal achievements.
Why Ontario? Ontario's Police Department is at the forefront of law enforcement, including: a dynamic, proactive approach to law enforcement; community-based policing; SWAT unit; helicopter support; canine program; traffic/motorcycle program; forensics unit; and gang suppression unit.
Education
Equivalent to a high school diploma or recognized equivalent and the completion of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic Training Academy.
Experience
Employment as a sworn peace officer as defined by California Penal Code sections 830.1(a) and 830.2(a) by a California law enforcement agency within the previous twelve months at time of application; OR
Previous employment as a sworn peace officer as defined by California Penal Code sections 830.1(a) and 830.2(a) by a California law enforcement agency and possession of a currently valid California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Basic Certificate.
Peace Officer Background Investigation
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a Peace Officer Background Investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department.
Other Requirements
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment. Weight in proportion to height as determined by examining physician. Uncorrected vision of at least 20/80 each eye, corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses and normal color vision.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
Desirable
Some college level coursework in criminal justice administration or a related field. Knowledge of modern police practices and methods; current laws and ordinances, particularly those of arrest, search, and seizure, and the geography of the City of Ontario.
Background Check Process
All appointments are subject to a satisfactory background investigation, which will include the passing of a polygraph test, and the successful completion of a post-offer psychological and medical exam (including drug screen), and a 12-month probationary period. Candidates may be disqualified from further consideration during the background investigation for a variety of reasons including if they have: an excessive number of traffic citations and/or collisions; arrests and/or convictions; a history of illegal substance abuse; poor credit history (factors include bankruptcy, foreclosures, liens, repossessions, and recency); or thefts from a previous employer. For clarification of any of the above disqualifying reasons, please call Police Department Background Unit at (909) 408-1820.
How to Apply
. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your user name and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:
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List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
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List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
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Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.
A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.
NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Supplemental Questions
To complete your application for this position you will be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email Notices
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the city of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application, please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
