Hostage Negotiator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $100,980.00 - $128,844.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2240-01
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
The Position
The Riverside Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer - Lateral.
Applicants MUST BE currently employed as a Peace Officer and possess a current California POST Basic Certificate or higher.
Pay Incentives include:

• 3% Bilingual Pay
• 1.5% Motor Pay & 1.5% Collateral SWAT, Sniper, Hostage Negotiator Pay
• Lateral Officers may be eligible to retain their current PERS retirement formula
• 10% Intermediate POST Pay
• 15% Advanced POST Pay
• 12 Month Probationary Period for Laterals

The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to selecting only those individuals who meet the highest of professional standards with a commitment to serving all members of their community with sensitivity, empathy, and impartiality.
Police Officers under direct supervision, perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; perform investigative work; display an awareness of, and empathy towards all persons who they come into contact with; and perform related duties as required.
All Police Officers work four ten-hour days.
The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies within this classification.
Work Performed
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrol city in radio car, on motorcycle, or on foot; answer calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, holdups, vehicle accidents, death, and other criminal incidents.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders.
• Prepare reports of arrests made, investigations conducted, and unusual incidents observed.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas.
• While on patrol, stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices; issue citations and make arrests as necessary; check buildings for physical security; receive, search, book, fingerprint, and transport prisoners; direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• As assigned, perform specialized investigative, identification, crime prevention, special operations, aerial observation, communications or juvenile work.

Qualifications
Recruitment Guidelines:
Education: High school graduation or equivalent.
Experience: Must have completed a California Basic POST Academy and be currently employed as a sworn Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, or related Law Enforcement Officer with a law enforcement agency in the State of California.
Necessary Special Requirement:

• Possession of a valid class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, as well as days, swing and graveyard shifts.
• Candidates selected must pass an extensive police background investigation including a polygraph, psychological evaluation and medical evaluation.

Additional Recruitment Guidelines:
Grooming Standards:
All applicants will present themselves in a professional manner throughout the entire testing process. This means no facial hair, ear plugs or hoop style ear rings. Males will have a well-groomed haircut with the back of their hair no longer than the bottom of their natural neck line. Females will have their hair pulled back into a ponytail or a bun if their hair is long enough to do so.
Both male and female applicants will dress themselves in a suit or formal business attire. No T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts or sandals will be allowed as you are testing for a professional organization.
Tattoo Requirements:
All tattoos shall be covered by your business attire, and no temporary cover-ups will be accepted.
All listed standards and requirements indicated on this flyer will be strictly enforced as they are in accordance with our current department policies. We also reserve the right to remove any applicant from the process if these standards are not adhered to.
Selection Process
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. Qualified applicants will be invited to a physical agility test. Candidates who are successful in the physical agility test MAY be invited to continue compete in a structured interview. Additional phases of selection include successfully passing an extensive police background investigation, a polygraph, a psychological evaluation, a medical evaluation and illegal drug testing. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
POST Standards Requirements:
Any visual defect must correct to 20/20 in both eyes. If soft contacts have been worn successfully for 3 months any defect is acceptable if corrected to 20/20. Must receive a passing score on color blindness test and depth perception. Applicants must be able to pass the POST Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Weight must be in proportion to height as determined by a physician.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
IMPORTANT: Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, medical/physical examination, and drug and alcohol test; and may be subject to polygraph examination, and/or psychological examination As part of the background investigation, all claims of education and experience made in the employment application process, as well as other information submitted, will be verified. Appointed candidates are required to submit an official copy of educational transcripts verifying obtained degrees or certificates as indicated on the employment application.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list. Some candidates may be disqualified indefinitely due to the results of their background investigation.
All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.
The City of Riverside does not reimburse any expenses incurred as a result of this recruitment.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Riverside Police Officers' Association (RPOA)
The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 3% at age 50; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 9%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense. For promotional candidates in the Safety unit, there will be no change to their current California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) benefits.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7% at age 57; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost; refer to CalPERS for details. Pers CalPERS the employee contribution is subject to change every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health/Dental Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and three dental plans and contributes up to $1,669 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance up to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $50 per month with a minimum employee contribution of $25 per month. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the RPOA MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - Employees may enroll in the LTD plan through their employee association.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.

For other special compensation, including POST pay, Motor Pay, Metro pay, etc. refer to the
For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01
Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College units complete
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD

03
Do you possess a valid Class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you successfully completed a California Basic POST Academy within the last three (3) years? (If you answer yes, you must include your POST Academy information under the Education section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

05
Are you currently employed as a sworn Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff or related Law Enforcement Officer with a law enforcement agency in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you possess a valid, active California Basic POST Certificate? (If you answer yes, you must include your POST Certificate information under the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

07
Have you completed a POST Re-qualification course within the last three (3) years? (If you answer yes, you must include your POST Academy information under the Education section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

08
Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question