Peace Officer, Developmental Center Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established April 5, 1994

Scope

This series specification describes two Peace Officer classes which are used by the Department of Developmental Services that have major responsibilities for enforcing State laws and regulations on developmental center grounds.

Definition of Series

Peace Officers, Developmental Centers, are distinguished from other peace officer classes by performing law enforcement duties in close proximity to persons with developmental disabilities. Their duties include maintaining law and order on developmental center grounds. This includes enforcing vehicle speed and parking regulations and issuing citations when necessary; patrolling and protecting buildings and grounds; checking for unauthorized movement, breaches of security, and unsafe conditions; initiating complex criminal investigations and assuming responsibility for less complex cases; making arrests; and testifying in court. Incumbents also monitor client and visitor activities; assist nursing personnel in controlling severely combative clients; and carry out standard procedures in cases of unauthorized client absences. Incumbents provide crisis intervention services to clients regarding such incidents as fights, assaults on staff members, involvement with drugs and alcohol, sexual misconduct, self-inflicted injuries, and accidental injuries. Incumbents transport clients under security as required and perform other related duties.

Definition of Levels

Peace Officer I, Developmental Center

This is the entry and journey level for this series. Incumbents under supervision perform standard law enforcement duties and undergo both on-the-job and academic training in law enforcement methods and practices.

Peace Officer II, Developmental Center

Supervises subordinate Peace Officers, Developmental Center, in this class series who are assigned to a shift or unit and may perform administrative duties as directed. The Peace Officer II, Developmental Center, is responsible for law enforcement, security policies, and programs necessary for the protection of persons and property within a developmental center. He/she plans, organizes, and directs the work and training of subordinate peace officers.

Minimum Qualifications

Both Levels:

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment. and Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Peace Officer I, Developmental Center

Experience: No experience required. and 1. Successful completion of the POST certified basic academy course within the last three years. or

2. Successful completion of the POST basic academy course equivalency process within the last three years. or

3. Eligible to complete the POST recertification process if more than three years has lapsed since employment as a California Peace Officer. or

4. Certification as a Peace Officer by POST.

(Current enrollment in a POST certified basic course academy will admit a candidate into the examination. However, the academy must be successfully completed prior to appointment.)

Peace Officer II, Developmental Center

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties equivalent to those of a Peace Officer I, Developmental Center.

Or II

Two years of law enforcement experience, one year of which has been in a supervisory capacity. (Possession of an AA Degree in Police Science may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) and 1. Successful completion of the POST certified basic academy course within the last three years. or

2. Successful completion of the POST basic academy course equivalency process within the last three years. or

3. Eligible to complete the POST recertification process if more than three years has lapsed since employment as a California Peace Officer. or

4. Certification as a Peace Officer by POST.

(Current enrollment in a POST certified basic course academy will admit a candidate into the examination. However, the academy must be successfully completed prior to appointment.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Peace Officer I, Developmental Center

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of law enforcement including procedures and laws relating to investigation, search and seizure, gathering and preserving evidence, laws of arrest, and court testimony; patrol procedures and protection of property; procedures used in handling or controlling groups or individuals; principles of first aid; emergency procedures in cases of fire, bomb threat, riot, and civil disaster; effective public relations as applied to the operation and law enforcement functions; the law enforcement code of ethics and the code of professional conduct and responsibility.

Ability to: Learn and apply sound judgment in the enforcement of rules and regulations and applicable State laws necessary for the protection of persons and property; physically apprehend and control persons when necessary; remain calm; think and act quickly in an emergency; adopt an effective course of action in dealing with unusual situations; use patience, tact, and impartiality in handling disturbances and confrontations; communicate convincingly and effectively; work closely with medical and nursing staff to resolve client-related problems; deal effectively with clients, the public, and other law enforcement agencies; prepare clear and concise reports.

Peace Officer II, Developmental Center

Knowledge of: All of the above, and elements and principles of training and supervision; the role of the uniformed peace officer in the treatment and therapeutic environment of a developmental center; departmental rules and regulations as applied to the welfare, safety, and protection of clients; departmental rules and regulations regarding conduct and control of employees and visitors; policies of the Department of Developmental Services regarding reportable incidents; procedures and techniques in handling client-related incidents; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize, and direct the work of others; interpret and apply developmental center policies and procedures; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

Both Levels:

A sympathetic understanding of the problems of persons with developmental disabilities; tolerance; tact; emotional stability; ability to remain calm in emergency situations; willingness to perform law enforcement functions without the use of firearms; and willingness to work at night and to report for duty at any time when emergencies arise.

Special Physical Requirements

Both Levels:

Must pass a physical examination. Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, endurance and agility necessary to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Age Limitation

Both Levels:

Must meet minimum age requirement to be appointed as a California peace officer per the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and in accordance with existing law.

Peace Officer Standards

Both Levels:

Citizenship Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. Citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. Citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.

Felony Disqualification: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in these classes.

Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a background investigation may be required to undergo an additional background investigation.

Psychological Evaluation: Persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a psychological evaluation.

Drug Testing Requirement: Applicants for positions in these classes are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

Class History