Police Helper Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $99,360.00 - $125,442.00 Annually
Location : Central Marin Police Authority, 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939, CA
Job Type: CMPA
Job Number: 2026-03-10
Department: Central Marin Police Authority
Opening Date: 03/10/2026
Description
Join a dedicated team of officers dedicated to building safer, stronger communities!
$30,000 HIRING BONUS!!
The Central Marin Police Authority is recruiting for Academy Graduate and Lateral Police Officers. We offer an excellent base salary with a comprehensive benefits package AND a signing bonus of $30,000. We offer this signing bonus to graduates from a POST certified California police academy and to lateral entry police officers.
DEFINITION:
The fundamental reason for the existence of this classification is to enforce Federal, State and local laws and to respond to calls for the protection of life and property. Under general supervision, to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; and to do related work as required.
Examples of Duties
The following duties are considered essential for this job classification:

• Patrols assigned area in a police vehicle, on a motorcycle, or on foot
• Enforces local, State and Federal laws
• Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies
• Checks business and residential areas for the purpose of preventing criminal activity
• Answers calls for protection of life and property and the enforcement of municipal, county and state laws; as assigned
• Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, accidents, deaths, and other incidents of an information or criminal nature
  • make arrests;
  • interrogate suspects and interview victims, complainants and witnesses;
  • coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, narcotics violations, and other crimes;
  • testify and present evidence in court; provide backup assistance for other officers and personnel;
  • collect, preserve, and maintain evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping;
  • assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings;
  • search, fingerprint, transports and books prisoners;
  • respond to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations;
  • maintain contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the public;
  • serve warrants and subpoenas;
  • observe, monitor, direct, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions;
  • check buildings for physical security; and administer first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, as needed;
  • attends fire scenes to assist in the protection of life and property;
• Prepares reports of arrests made, investigations conducted, and unusual incidents observed
• Operates electronic and emergency communication devices and equipment in the field, in patrol vehicle, or in the office
• Gives information and directions to the public
• Performs work as a Designated Disaster Service Worker in compliance with California Government Code 3100-3109, as needed, during natural and manmade disasters and emergencies
• Performs other related work as assigned.
• Additional Duties:
  In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in this classification may perform the following duties. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties which may be assigned.
  • Perform undercover and surveillance activities;
  • develop and maintain good relationships with informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations;
  • prepare search and arrest warrants;
  • contact and cooperate with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses;
  • make presentations to citizens and groups;
  • assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties;
  • may serve as a member of a Special Response Team, Traffic Team, or other special assignment team;
  • may serve as Field Training Officer, supervising and training new personnel;
  • coordinate departmental training programs; prepare, submit, and administer grants; conduct specialized crime prevention programs;
  • seize assets through the preparation and service of asset seizure documentation;
  • manage a caseload of registered sex offenders, including initial registration, follow up, and coordination with the Department of Justice;
  • provide training for department personnel in such areas as defensive tactics, use of firearms, defensive driving, crowd control, use of chemical agents, and other specialized functions;
  • collect, analyze, and disseminate criminal street gang information;
  • direct traffic at fires, special events and other emergency or congested situations.

Typical Qualifications
Ability to:
Read and understand departmental policies, instructions, laws and regulations; ability to analyze situations and to adopt a quick, effective and reasonable course of action; ability to prepare clear and accurate reports; physical agility; keen observation and ability to remember names, faces and details of accidents; ability to understand and follow oral and written directions; ability to learn the use of care of automobiles, other police vehicles, firearms, and other special police weapons and equipment; ability to speak and write effectively; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places; demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately; maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations; learn, understand, and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics; handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; understand and carry out oral and written directions; uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times.
Experience and Education:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience - Any full or part-time employment experience of a length to demonstrate good work habits;
Education - High school diploma or equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade (GED). Sixty (60) college semester units is preferable in Police Sciences or a closely related field.
Age and physical standards - Minimum age 21 years; weight in proportion to height; normal visual functions and visual acuity not less than 20/40 in each eye without corrections, and corrected to 20/20 in the better eye, and not less than 20/30 in the lesser eye. Must be free from color and night blindness and possess normal hearing.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION:
This classification requires the use of a department vehicle while on-duty and conducting law enforcement business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely and must possess an appropriate valid California motor vehicle operator's license upon hire and maintained thereafter for the duration of employment.
In addition, individuals must have graduated from a California POST police academy and possess a California POST Basic certificate.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
Visit our job posting at
Questions regarding our job posting, application and selection process may be submitted to Robert French, Professional Standards Unit Sergeant, at or by telephone at (415) 927-7391. Email contact is preferred.
Application Process:

1. Submit an application online by clicking on the APPLY button on this job posting
2. Attach your California POST Basic Certificate (if applicable)
3. Attach a copy of your valid California Driver License
4. Attach your high school diploma or GED certificate
5. Answer the Supplemental Questions

NOTE: Out-of-state applicants who have graduated from a police academy, passed their field training program, and their initial probation period are encouraged to apply. Please attach copies of your valid state driver license and your basic law enforcement certificate. Out of state applicants will need to attend and graduate from a California Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Academy or successfully challenge the Basic Academy. Information is available at
Optional:

• Attach your college diploma or transcript, if available

Selection Process:

1. Oral Interview before a panel of law enforcement personnel
2. POST Personal History Statement
3. Conditional Offer: Candidate accepts or declines
4. Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) - truth verification test
5. POST Background Check
6. Hiring Interview with CMPA Command Staff
7. Psychological Examination
8. Medical Examination and Drug Screening
9. Final Offer of Employment

Applicants for Police Officer are encouraged to learn more about the Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) by:

1. Scheduling a ride along with an officer - contact the Watch Commander at (415) 927-5150 and request a ride along
2. Visiting the CMPA website at
3. Visiting the communities of Corte Madera, Larkspur, and San Anselmo

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Central Marin Police Authority does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
ADA - Reasonable Accommodation
Applicants who may qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) may submit a request for reasonable accommodation in writing at time of application.
Health care provided at Kaiser Bay Area rates for employee and dependents; additional health plans available
Dental Plan for employee and dependents
Term life insurance plan of $25,000
15 Holidays
Vacation and sick leave
Educational reimbursement and incentive benefits (Intermediate POST certificate or Associates degree - 3% of base salary; Bachelor's degree - 5% of base salary; Advanced POST certificate or Advanced Degree - 7% of base salary
CalPERS pension - Sworn employees - 3% @ 55 for Classic members; 2.7%@ 55 for PEPRA (hired after 12/31/2012). Non-sworn employees - 2.5% @ 55 for Classic employees; 2.0% at 60 for PEPRA members (hired after 12/31/2012)
Uniforms/safety equipment procvided; uniforms provided for non-sworn
Retiree Health Savings Account
457k deferred compensation with up to 1% employer match
Long Term/Short Term Disability plans available
Wellness benefit - up to $600 per fiscal year
Specialty Pay for assignments to Corporal, Field Training Officer (FTO), FTO Sergeant, Detective, Detective Sergeant, Master Officer (Special Response Team), Motorcycle, Training & Support Sergeant
Bilingual Pay for qualified employees ($250/month)
Longevity Pay - Year 8 - 2.5% of base salary; Year 12 - 5% of base salary
01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Some college
• 60 units
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02
Do you have a valid California driver license?

• Yes
• No

03
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you graduated from a California POST police academy?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have a California POST Basic certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question