This position is for individuals who are currently a Sworn Police Officer, possess a valid POST certificate, graduated from a POST certified Police Academy or are currently attending a POST certified Police Academy and are in good standing.
Please continue reading this job posting for additional requirements.  

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under direction, performs a wide variety of professional law enforcement duties involving the protection of life and property, education and enforcement of laws and ordinances, emergency response, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, and providing information and assistance to the public within the District's jurisdiction, including the San Diego Harbor, San Diego International Airport and the San Diego tidelands area; performs marine fire suppression duties aboard boats and land facilities within the San Diego Harbor, marinas and adjacent facilities; performs a variety of special duty assignments, as required; and performs related duties as assigned.

Members of the Harbor Police Department are committed to employing best practices of contemporary policing. Incumbents of this class must demonstrate a commitment to practicing community policing, collaborative problem-solving, and intelligence-led policing-based solutions. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full, journey-level class in the Harbor Police series. Incumbents rotate areas of assignment and are expected to perform the full range of Harbor Police duties with increasingly less supervision and direction. Incumbents are also expected to become familiar with Department policies, regulations, and operating procedures as well as Port personnel rules and procedures. 

Based upon an individual's assignment, duties are carried out on foot, from vehicles or aboard Harbor Police boats. Incumbents of this class are peace officers as defined in California Penal Code Section 830.1, and in these classifications may also perform a variety of specialized law enforcement duties including serving as a K-9 officer, a detective, a MARTAC/SWAT member, dive team member, and other specialized and/or collateral duty teams. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

1. Performs armed patrol of San Diego Bay and Port tidelands and the San Diego International Airport on foot, bicycle, vessels, and other department vehicles to maintain security and order, enforce criminal laws, traffic and parking regulations, and county ordinance, rules and policies while utilizing sound judgment under adverse and stressful conditions; provides crowd management and control and may direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic as needed.

2. Responds to and investigates calls for Harbor Police service regarding criminal, non-criminal, or emergency related activities such as crimes against persons and property, accidents, and health concerns to make observations and determine actions to be taken; apprehends and initiates arrests of suspects, conducts searches, and advises suspects of their constitutional rights; restrains and subdues individuals by means of baton techniques, locks, grips, holds, or restraining devices as necessary; properly detains, guards, transports, and assists in the booking process for prisoners as needed.

3. Conducts case or incident investigations and related follow-up activities, controls crimes scenes, gathers, photographs, preserves and collects evidence in accordance with laws and regulations; locates, interviews, interrogates, and records statements from witnesses, suspects, and victims; identifies relevant facts and prepares investigative reports on incidents and cases for follow-up and filing with appropriate law enforcement officials; assists with covert and undercover investigations as assigned.

4. Responds to public service calls and complaints of potentially hostile situations, including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, protection of life and property, preservation of peace, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents; participates and testifies in court hearings and trials as necessary.

5. Serves subpoenas, warrants, summons, complaints, writs of attachment and execution, and eviction notices as necessary; administers physical roadside sobriety and "intoxilyzer" tests when necessary, controls and mitigates people under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations; issues warnings or citations for law violators, checks for warrants and other legal holds, performs security checks on suspicious persons or vehicles, and requests outside assistance as appropriate.

6. Responds to maritime fires identified or reported. In addition, responds to other fires such as building fires, vehicle fires, dumpster fires, and grass fires and requests assistance as needed; responds to emergency medical needs and performs First Aid and CPR/AED as necessary.

7. Cooperates with local law enforcement and government agencies in the suppression and control of disruptive or illegal activities and responds to requests for assistance from outside agencies for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.

8. Prepares and maintains written records, notes, logs, correspondence, legal documentation, and other reports as related to police activity.

9. Safely and appropriately stores, maintains, calibrates, inspects, and utilizes police weapons and equipment such as firearms, conducted electrical weapons (Tasers), batons, non-lethal weapons, alcohol screening devices, bicycles, and police vehicles.

10. Performs crime prevention activities to include surveillance patrols and participating in community outreach programs that may include speaking and presenting to citizen and school groups, and other public service efforts.

11. Stays current with knowledge related to public safety by attending professional conferences and in-service education programs, as well as by reviewing information obtained from Department memoranda, staff meetings and professional publications to attain and maintain public safety-related knowledge and skills and determine the impact of developments and change on providing service excellence.

12. Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the Port of San Diego and Harbor Police.

13. Prepares daily performance evaluations when assigned a Harbor Police Trainee.

14. Identifies performance deficiencies in Harbor Police Officers assigned as trainees and implements methods to strengthen those deficiencies. 

15. When assigned, performs a variety of special duty assignments, including, dive team, performing underwater search, rescue and recovery; bicycle enforcement; K-9; plain clothes; may also serve as departmental representative for special assignments, public events and other special field assignments.

16. Operates a marine craft to patrol San Diego Harbor, enforcing applicable federal, state and local waterway laws, regulations and rules; assists recreational boaters and makes rescues; patrols San Diego Harbor to provide security and prevent crime; assists Coast Guard and Navy vessels; escorts large vessels through harbor channels.

17. Enforces applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and ordinances at the San Diego Regional Airport; patrols the airport by foot and vehicle; monitors alarm systems at airport security check stations; conducts security checks of airport facilities; responds to security alarms at the airport; secures unattended baggage; confiscate dangerous and prohibited items from individuals.

18. Enforces parking regulations and traffic laws at the airport, harbor facilities and all other tideland areas; issues traffic citations; investigates accidents; administers emergency first-aid; provides traffic control at accident sites or for special events at District facilities.

19. Provides information and assistance to the public.

20. Seeks long-term solutions to criminal activity, including the practice of community policing, intelligence-led policing, and collaborative problem solving.

21. Participates in a variety of community relations and public education and awareness activities.

OTHER RELATED DUTIES

1. May represent the department on task forces, committees, or projects; represents the Harbor Police Department to the public, community organizations, and other government agencies; performs a variety of community outreach activities; may act as a department spokesperson to the media and direct departmental public information efforts.

2. May be assigned disaster service worker responsibilities as directed.

3. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

RELATED EXPECTATIONS

The Harbor Police Department is centered on the philosophy of Community Policing. Employees are expected to provide high quality service to the public. As with all employees, Harbor Police Officers are expected to make non-enforcement contacts with the public to identify the needs of the community more clearly, and to assist the public in solving community problems. 

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

1. Operations, functions, services, and activities of a local law enforcement agency.

2. Current local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations particularly those related to apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, preliminary crime scene investigation, evidence and records maintenance, patrol, traffic control, maritime firefighting and aviation security.

3. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), Aviation Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) rules and procedures regarding airport and Port security requirements.

4. Current local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the safety and protection of people, property and grounds associated with the Port of San Diego and San Diego International Airport and its surrounding areas. 

5. Harbor Police prisoner processing and temporary housing, transporting, and Intake policies and procedures related to the use of the San Diego County Detention Facilities.

6. Current crime prevention and law enforcement methods and procedures including those used in investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, records management, and care and custody of persons and property.

7. Law enforcement theory, principles, methods, and practices of community policing and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.

8. Crowd management and control procedures, and special event patrol techniques.

9. Disaster preparedness and terrorism response strategies.

10. Principles of human behavior and behavior modification strategies and techniques for the purpose of identifying at risk people.

11. Emergency communication techniques including equipment and its use.

12. Security, surveillance, and communication systems and codes.

13. The identification, collection, and storage of hazardous, dangerous, and illegal drugs, substances, and other items.

14. Use and care of firearms, offensive and defensive weapons and safety measures and self-defense tactics.

15. Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation and presentation of evidence in court.

16. Safe driving principles and practices.

17. Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work being performed.

18. Local geography of Port, City and County streets, public buildings, and businesses.

19. Principles and practices of sound business communication including proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

20. Basic principles and practices of organizational improvement and culture change.

21. Civil Commission Rules, Ordinances, Human Resources procedures and collective bargaining agreements.

22. Record keeping and report preparations techniques to ensure department compliance.

23. Standard office practices and procedures, and the operations of standard office equipment.

Skill to:

1. Use sound judgment and make appropriate decisions in stressful situations and analyze and adapt to new situations quickly.

2. Operate and maintain department issued weapons and qualify periodically as mandated by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Program (POST).

3. Make effective oral presentations to a variety of audiences with differing levels of knowledge regarding a variety of procedures.

4. Utilize law enforcement computer systems, mobile devices and maintain and calibrate specialized equipment.

5. Operate firearms and other modern law enforcement equipment.

6. Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

7. Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

1. Promote good community relations and build community confidence in the Harbor Police Department.

2. Communicate tactfully, respectfully, and effectively with board members, District Executives, managers, administrators, staff, officials of other government agencies, employees and the public, both orally and in writing, in a manner consistent with the department's policing and customer service policies.

3. Represent the Harbor Police Department effectively in dealings with other law enforcement agencies, community and business organizations, the media, and the public.

4. Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.

5. Develop and maintain an inclusive work environment that fosters diversity, respect, and engagement.

6. Conduct investigations, make arrests, file criminal complaints, patrol effectively, lift fingerprints, detect and prevent criminal activity.

7. Recognize signs of danger to people, property and grounds associated with the Port District, and its surrounding areas.

8. Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.

9. Interview and advise suspects, witnesses, victims, reporting parties, and staff.

10. Recall names, faces, and details of occurrences.

11. Qualify to use department issued equipment such as firearms, conducted electrical weapons (Tasers) and patrol related equipment.

12. Gather, assemble, evaluate, and analyze facts and evidence.

13. Conduct research, analyze data, and prepare reports for items such as investigations, complaints, and arrests.

14. Interpret, apply, and explain the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.

15. Meet all pre-employment as well as ongoing peace officer status requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local legislation.

16. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.

17. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

18. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

19. Effectively communicate with individuals for whom English is not a primary language.

20. Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.

21. Operate a computer and use standard business software.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

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

Graduation from U. S. high school or a G.E.D. certificate that meets scores established by the California P.O.S.T. Commission or a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

Must be at least 20 ½ years of age on the day of written examination and 21 years of age at time of Police Academy graduation (No maximum age limit) and a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Lateral candidates who are currently enrolled in or have completed the Police Academy will be required to take the written examination. This requirement may be waived for those candidates who have at least one year experience as a sworn peace officer.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

A current, valid California Class C driver's license at time of appointment and maintained at all times thereafter in order to operate a vehicle on District business.

Laterals: Graduation from a California Peace Officers Standards and Training P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement academy within the last three years or an active P.O.S.T. certification. 

Candidates will be required to complete a water safety test demonstrating their ability to work on and near large bodies of water.

This position is subject to a thorough background check as outlined by California Peace Officers Standards and Training, (CA POST), in the POST Administrative Manual. Every candidate must have good moral character and the absence of past behavior indicative of unsuitability to perform their duties. The dimensions the candidate will be specifically evaluated on are: Integrity, Impulse Control, Attention to Safety, Substance Abuse and Other Risk-Taking Behavior, Stress Tolerance, Confronting and Overcoming Problems, Obstacles, and Adversity, Conscientiousness, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-Making and Judgment, Learning Ability, and Communication Skills. As part of this process, candidates will be required to submit a comprehensive investigation into their past that includes: written and verbal communication evaluation, a fingerprint check, polygraph test, a credit check, current and past employer checks, and reference checks.

Per Government Code Section 1031 and effective January 1, 2021, the mental evaluation for this position will include whether the candidate has bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Physical and Psychological Demands

The physical and psychological demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must maintain POST and department physical fitness and weight requirements necessary to perform the job functions with or without accommodation, such as the ability to walk, run, operate motor vehicles and equipment, and physically detain and apprehend suspects. The employee must be able to lift, carry, or drag up to 100 pounds and occasionally up to 165 pounds. 

Specific vision required for this job include 20/70 uncorrected, correctable to 20/30 and normal color vision. Hearing must be within normal range.

Psychological Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with Port managers, staff, the public and others encountered in the course of work. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees work primarily under typical office conditions and as needed in an outdoor environment with exposure to noise and outside weather conditions, biological hazards, and disease/infestations. Work involves potentially dangerous situations and exposure to disturbing or traumatic events. Work involves situations that may require the supervision or control of persons who may become physically violent or combative. 

The employee may be required to travel to locations other than assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and requirements to work extended hours. 

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd Please attach a copy of your Personal History Statement (PHS) or your application will be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application. Applicants must attach a POST Personal History Statement (PHS) forms with their application. 

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications and PHS review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of People Services to be appropriate. The Department of People Services will make reasonable accommodation in the assessment process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. 

THE PHYSICAL AGILITY ASSESSMENT (PAT) IS PASS/FAIL AND ITS PERIODICALLY SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THOSE APPLICANTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PAT WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL OF THE DATES, TIMES AND LOCATION OF THE ASSESSMENT.

The Department of People Services may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.

Government Code §1031 requires a pre-employment background investigation for peace officers. Peace officer candidates must, at a minimum, meet the selection standards outlined in the Government Code, and pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) selection requirements contained in Commission Regulations 1950-1955 prior to hiring.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Job offers are contingent on candidates successfully completing a psychological examination, medical examination and chemical substance testing.

Resolution #: 2021 - 006

Dated: August 22, 2023 (Revised)

Dated: January 19, 2021