Murrieta Police Seek Lateral Officers For Opening Positions

MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta Police Department is looking for experienced patrol officers to apply for a lateral position.

Murrieta's police department began operations in 1992 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a municipal police department in August.

Though much has changed since the initial 25 officers and nine civilian employees started operations, the department's culture remains rooted in excellent service delivery and a strong partnership with the community. Currently, there are 102 sworn officers, 35 dispatchers, 25 professional staff and 30 volunteers and explorers working with the department.

The police department is creating an eligibility list to be used to fill vacancies between now and April of 2023, the department wrote on its website.

"This is the journey-level class in the professional police class series requiring sworn peace officer status," the application site states.

Incumbents are assigned to any of a number of functional areas within the Police Department.

Incoming officers, under general supervision, will patrol an assigned area in the prevention of crime and enforcement of law and order; carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement in general; conducts investigations; performs related work as assigned.

Additional tasks might include training new police officers, making presentations, serving as a school resource officer, working on special enforcement teams, serving on a Narcotic Task Force and other tasks.

A qualified officer will be 21-years-old, a high school graduate or equivalent, have one year of current, full-time experience as a police officer with a public agency, with a preference for those with patrol experience, and have completed a criminal and traffic record check, background investigation, as well as a physical and psychological examination.

The salary for the open positions are between $84,478.10 and $102,683.67 annually. The application request closes on May 22, the department spokesperson said.

According to the city's website, the department looks for the best law enforcement officers available and will hire from their explorer program when those future applicants become ready to serve.

"The partnership built between the police department and the community is the personification of community policing," their website states, "and is the primary reason the city remains such a safe place for its residents to live, work and play."

More requirements are on the city's application page.