Careers in Law Enforcement
Externship for SOCCCD
Sandra Davis
ROP Career Specialist for Coastline ROP
Mission Viejo High School
March 30, 2011
EXTERNSHIP GOAL
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My goal is to increase and update my
knowledge about careers in law enforcement
and to share the same with students, my
peers and parents.
City of Costa Mesa
Police Department
Captain
Patrol Officer
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Career Pathways
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New recruit
Patrol Officer
Special Enforcement Detail – includes
undercover, K-9, SWAT – lateral move
Sergeant
Lieutenant
Chief of Police
Job Requirements and Compensation
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New Recruit
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Must pass a multiple choice, general knowledge test (will take approximately 3 hours)
Must be physically fit and able to pass five physical agility tests: Obstacle
Course(1:50 time limit), Body Drag (must drag a 165 pound dummy for 32 feet in 11
seconds;Trigger Pull (pull handgun trigger six times in each hand) Baton Strike, Long
Pursuit (run 500 yards in 1:55 minutes)
Oral Board Interview
Polygraph Examination
Background Investigation
Psychological & Medical Exam
Upon completion of above, will attend police training academy for 28 weeks and pass
all required tests
Compensation: $27.89 per hour
Automatic Disqualifiers: Marijuana use within last 2 years, hard drug use within last
5 years, DUI within last 7 years, any incident of domestic violence, any felony arrest,
theft from employer in last 2 years, shoplifting in excess of $400 within last 5 years,
Five or more moving violations in last 7 years.
Job Requirements and Compensation
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Patrol Officer
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21 years of age or older (no maximum age limit)
20/20 corrected vision
Height/weight in proportion to age and frame
Minimum high school graduate with 60 units or
more of college preferred
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must have a valid California driver’s License
Salary: $34.15 to $45.76 per hour
Job Requirements and Compensation
(continued)
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Sergeant/Lieutenant
Work involves responsibility for planning, assigning,
and supervising the work of personnel engaged in
patrol activities, traffic activities, investigation,
administrative services, or in police work of a
specialized nature. Considerable independent
judgment, initiative, intelligence, and understanding
must be exercised in interpreting orders, rules, and
regulations, and in meeting emergency situations.
Reviews the work of subordinates through reports,
conferences, and observation of police efficiency.
Job Requirements and Compensation
(continued)
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To become a Sergeant, employee must have
worked several years as a Senior Police
Officer. Salary ranges from $86,592 to
$116,000 annually.
To become a Lieutenant, employee must
have worked a minimum of two years as a
Sergeant. Salary ranges from $106,944 to
$143,316 annually
Job Requirements and Compensation
(continued)
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Police Chief
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Ability to supervise 215 employees with an annual budget of
$36,847,429
Minimum of 5 years of police administrative management
experience
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or Public
Administration as well as a Master’s degree
Proven effective relationships with citizen groups and City
Council
Highest level of integrity and work ethic
Must enjoy working with others to promote teamwork
Salary: $154,248-$206,700 (Depending on Qualifications)
A Day in the Life of Officer John Doezie
Interview with Officer Doezie
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Officers work 4 ten-hour shifts
City of Costa Mesa is divided into two area or “beats”. Minimum
staffing is seven officers for 18 square miles
Officer Doezie spent 14 years in the military as a Navy Seal and
10 years in the reserves. He felt a calling to be a police officer
saying “I have always been a public servant.”
One of the most important skills for an officer is being a good
listener. He stated, “I am part counselor and part enforcer of the
law.” Thinking fast on your feet and staying calm under pressure
are also key. He also said, “ Most people are good and have just
made a bad choice. I have diffused most dangerous situations by
quickly building a rapport with people and being friendly.” Another
very important skill is being able to write a coherent and complete
police report. He stated that a police office who does so seldom
gets called to court as a witness. He said, “If the report is clear, all
of the attorney’s questions can be answered by reading it.”
Interview - continued
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His favorite part of the job is meeting people
His least favorite is seeing child or spousal abuse
During his 11-year employment with CMPD, he has
worked undercover and was part of the SWAT detail
for several years.
Officers have a computer in their car and can read
their screen when a dispatch is made as well as
listen to it. Cameras are in the care to protect the
police officers and record the facts
Ride-A-Long
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On a typical day, officers patrol their beats, looking
for any suspicious activity. Officer Doezie ran a
check on a number of cars with expired registration
stickers. We cruised by the local strip malls and
hotels. He stated, “Like any city, we have our share
of credit card fraud. It is especially prevalent at
South Coast Plaza, one of the largest malls in the
U.S. We also have some drug and prostitute issues,
particularly when the weather gets warmer. More
people are outdoors and we have a lot of tourists
during summer.“
Ride-A-Long (continued)
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We responded to a shoplifting suspect at the local bookstore.
The manager had observed the suspect taking an expensive
audio tape as well as several magazines. When he ran out of
the store, the manager attempted a Citizens Arrest. When
suspect tried to flee, he called the police. I had the opportunity
to witness the interview of the suspect and learn about the
penalties for shoplifting
$950 of merchandise or less is a misdemeanor unless the
suspect has a prior. The crime then becomes a felony.
Maximum penalty if $1,000 and up to six months in jail!
Ride-A-Long (continued)
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We also responded to a “back-up” call to a
local bank. The bank manager was
suspicious that a man was “casing” the bank
and was afraid he might be planning to rob it.
Fortunately, the man had left and it appeared
that the manager had overreacted.
Report Writing
A day in the life….continued
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We returned to the police department where Officer
Doezie wrote up a two page report and attached a
picture of the items the shoplifter took from the store.
This will be the evidence the judge looks at when
hearing the case. Office Doezie stressed that report
writing is part of “Due Process” and that an officer
can be fired for not writing up reports in a timely
manner.
Typically, there is one call every 30 minutes during a
10-hour shift.
Details of Externship
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The externship took place on Saturday,
March 26, 2011
Location: Costa Mesa Police Department, 99
Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Industry Professional: Patrol Officer John
Doezie (714) 754-5255
I interviewed Officer Doezie and
accompanied him on a ride-a-long