We use cookies. Find out more about it here. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
#alert
Back to search results
New

Lateral Police Officer & Academy Graduate

Bay Area Rapid Transit
See Position Description
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, vacation time, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan, pension
United States, California, Oakland
300 Lakeside Drive (Show on map)
Jan 01, 2026


Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.






Job Summary

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BART POLICE DEPARTMENT AT JOINBARTPD.COM!


We're offering a $15,000 hiring incentive, competitive compensation, exceptional benefits, diverse career paths, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact through innovative, community-focused policing. Click the link below for more details:

Recruitment Flyer

SALARY INFORMATION

This position is represented by BART Police Officers Association Employees (BPOA).

Academy Graduate (while in Field Training)

$ 8,819.73/Monthly (778/Step 21)

Lateral Police Officer

$ 12,450.81/Monthly (778/Step 5)

WHO MAY APPLY

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

DAYS OFF

As assigned. Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.

REPORTS TO

Police Sergeant or Lieutenant.

DEPARTMENT

BART Police Department is a progressive agency and has been on the forefront - and in some cases the model approach to training in the areas of fair and impartial policing, bias-based policing, crisis intervention, cultural competence training, and de-escalation training. The mission of the BART Police Department is to ensure a safe environment within our transit system, reduce crime through a highly visible police presence, and proactive enforcement of the law, and to promote public confidence by working in partnership with our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT

Police Officers with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Police Department serve a vital role in protecting life and property across one of the nation's largest and most complex public transit systems. Officers are assigned throughout BART's multi-county service area and work in a fast-paced, highly visible environment that demands sound judgment, adaptability, and strong community engagement skills.

Experienced sworn Police Officers (Laterals) bring valuable skills and perspective to BART PD's mission. Lateral officers are expected to quickly adapt to transit policing operations, applying their previous training and experience while embracing the distinct challenges and opportunities of regional transit law enforcement.

Police Academy Graduates are welcomed as entry-level officers and will receive structured field training and ongoing supervision. Incumbents are encouraged to learn a variety of law enforcement functional areas and techniques while demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

  • A strong commitment to public service and ethical policing
  • Effective interpersonal and communication skills necessary to serve a diverse ridership, workforce, and partner agencies
  • The ability to analyze situations and make rapid, sound, and independent decisions within legal and procedural guidelines
  • The capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a regional transit law enforcement environment
  • The ability to interpret and apply complex laws, procedures, and departmental policies
  • Proven skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, concise, and professional reports

Note: All lateral officers and police academy graduates must successfully complete a one-year probationary period from the date of hire, including successful completion of the Field Training Program. Upon completion of probation and field training, patrol shift assignments are made based on seniority. Officers may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications Reminder

Lateral Peace Officers must possess a valid California POST Basic Certificate and be currently or previously employed as a full-time salaried Peace Officer in the State of California.

Note: Out of state sworn Peace Officers will be required to obtain a CA POST Basic Certificate and California State Driver's License within a specified time and must be currently employed as a full-time salaried Peace Officer in the United States.

Police Academy Graduates must possess a valid Certificate of Completion from a CA POST-mandated Basic Academy (certificate must be attached to the application).

SELECTION PROCESS

This position is represented by BART Police Officers Association Employees (BPOA).

Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the Police Department for the completion of further selection processes. The selection process will include 5 phases. Candidates must pass each phase to move on to the next phase of the selection process.

Phase 1: Pre-Screening Background Questionnaire

Phase 2: Minimum Qualifications Screening

Phase 3: Review and Evaluation of Personal History Statement

Phase 4: Oral Boards and a writing assessment

Phase 5: Background Investigation

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as requested and/or required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination which includes a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include an extensive background check and successful completion of a polygraph exam. (Does not apply to current full-time BART Police Department employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

If selected to proceed in the background investigative phase of the process, you will be asked to provide some essential documents. The following are some of the documents you may be asked to provide naturalization/citizenship papers, birth certificates, school transcripts, proof of selective service (men only), DMV driving history documents, proof of automobile insurance, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and POST certificates (if applicable).

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Eligibility to Reapply

Candidates that are unsuccessful in the oral board process can reapply online for future openings. However, candidates that are unsuccessful in the written, physical agility and/or oral board process can immediately reapply online for future openings. However, candidates that are unsuccessful in the investigative background process must wait at least 6 months before reapplying.


Examples of Duties

  1. Patrols a designated area in a radio vehicle or on foot to protect life and property and

deter crime.

  1. Responds to suspicious activities and answers emergency calls for services.
  2. Enforces District, city, county or state and federal laws and ordinances.
  3. Assists in settling disputes, calming angry patrons and providing crowd direction and control.
  4. Makes presentations to community and employee groups regarding personal safety

and criminal activities.

  1. Secures information from the parties at an incident scene and collects, documents

and prepares evidence for court.

  1. Prepares affidavits for arrest and/or search warrants, files criminal complaints and coordinates investigative activities with other law enforcement agencies.
  2. Transports prisoners to booking facilities and processes them.
  3. Maintains accurate records and writes incident and crime reports.
  4. Works with investigative and legal personnel and presents testimony in court.
  5. Enforces traffic and parking regulations, investigates traffic accidents and directs traffic.
  6. Serves warrants and subpoenas.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent. College credits, military or customer service experience highly desirable.

Other Requirements:

  • Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
  • Must be physically able to drag a body weighing up to 165 pounds.
  • Must be physically able to lift and carry equipment and boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards.
  • Must obtain required P.O.S.T. certification.
  • Must remain firearm qualified.
  • Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:
Field environment; exposure to inclement weather; gun range; exposure to loud noises.

Physical Conditions:
Requires maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, running, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, crawling or sitting for prolonged periods of time; and lifting and carrying.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

  • Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
  • Techniques for dealing with varied groups of people.
  • Standard record keeping and report writing procedures and techniques.

Ability to:

  • Observe and accurately recall places, names, faces and incidents.
  • Understand and follow oral and written directions.
  • Interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies.
  • Analyze situations and make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
  • Use two-way radio communication equipment effectively.
  • Drive a motor vehicle safely.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
  • Maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and competent reports.





Equal Employment OpportunityGroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov.

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs.



Applied = 0

(web-df9ddb7dc-hhjqk)