COMMON
QUESTIONS
What can you tell
me about your field training program?
The Whittier Police Department’s field training
program follows the guidelines set forth by POST.
The field training program consists of four
initial cycles, each lasting four weeks and each with a
different training officer.
In addition to the four training cycles, you will
also spend a week with the Traffic Bureau.
One of the training cycles will take place in
Santa Fe Springs.
What kind of work schedule does the Whittier Police
Department maintain?
Our work schedule offers great balance between work and
family time by offering a variety of shifts and days
off. All members of a patrol team work the same schedule and
have the same days off.
Shift rotation takes place every six months,
usually in January and June.
- Patrol:
4/10 and 3/12 shifts
Three patrol teams cover Monday-Thursday 4/10
(days, swings, graveyard) with Friday-Sunday Off.
Three other patrol teams cover Friday-Saturday 3/12
(days, swings, graveyard) with Monday-Thursday Off.
- Inside
personnel: 4/10 shifts
Investigations, Traffic, Administration and
other specialized units.
How long is your
probationary period?
One year for all new hires.
Depending on your starting pay step, you may be
eligible for a raise after six months.
If you do not qualify (laterals starting at step
4 or above) you will be eligible for a raise after one
year.
What kind of
medical insurance does the City of Whittier provide and
how much does it cost?
The City of Whittier offers both PPO and HMO medical and
dental plans. Vision
plan coverage is only offered to the employee.
The cost of your selected plan will be deducted
from your paycheck.
How do officers get selected for special teams?
The Whittier Police Department offers a variety of
special assignments and teams such as detectives,
special enforcement team, bike patrol team, K9,
narcotics, traffic and administration.
Most of the positions carry a five-year
assignment length. When an officer who is assigned to a specialized
position approaches the five year mark, an announcement
is posted and interested personnel submit memorandums of
interest. Oral
interviews and a review of the applicant’s employee
package are conducted.
The best qualified candidate is recommended to
executive staff for approval.
Officers who return to the patrol division after a
specialized assignment must work a full year in patrol
before being able to apply for other specialized
positions.
Some teams are a collateral duty, in addition to an
officer’s full time duties.
The entry team, SORT team, terrorism team,
training team, and trauma response team, accept new
members when positions become available.
How do officers get selected to work Whittier or Santa
Fe Springs?
Deployment to Whittier or Santa Fe Springs is
determined by staff, department needs, or by a formal
request.
What can you tell me about the report writing process?
The Whittier Police Department’s primary method of
report writing is by dictation.
Each officer is assigned a micro-cassette
recorder, a log sheet and a report envelope.
Once reports are dictated and logged, the
envelope and tape are submitted to the records bureau at
the end of shift. Records
personnel transcribe the reports and save them into the
records management system.
You may review your reports at any computer
terminal.
If you have not dictated before, it may seem a bit
awkward at first. With
a little practice, you will soon realize the many
benefits of report dictation.
What is the top-to-bottom sworn command chain at
Whittier Police Department?
Chief, two captains, six lieutenants and fourteen
sergeants.
Do you have air support?
The Whittier Police Department does not have a
dedicated air unit, however under county mutual aid, air
support is available for critical incidents.
Do officers have terrorism protective equipment?
Yes. Each
officer is issued a bag containing a gas mask with CBRNE
filter, a Tyvek protective suit, gloves, boots, and
chemical tape.
What is the difference between a Team Leader, Field
Training Officer and a Corporal?
A team leader oversees the operation of a patrol team in
Santa Fe Springs. Each
patrol team has a team leader, who reports to the shift
Sergeant. A team leader wears two stripes. Team leaders are
selected via an interview process when an opening
occurs. Team leader pay is $250 per month.
A field training officer is assigned to each team and
are selected via an interview process when an opening
occurs. FTO
pay is $200 per month.
The Corporal program is a fairly new assignment, which
was approved by the City in January 2005.
A corporal is assigned to a patrol shift as well
as the detective bureau and acts as an interim
supervisor in the absence of a sergeant.
Due to the responsibilities of this position, the
selection process for corporal is similar to that of a
sergeant. Corporal
pay is 7%.
Does the Whittier Police Department investigate
homicides?
Yes. The
detective bureau investigates all crimes that occur in
Whittier and Santa Fe Springs.
Does the Whittier Police Department handle CSI?
Yes. The
Whittier Police Department handles all CSI for incidents
that occur in Whittier and Santa Fe Springs.
Our forensic unit recently received a $550,000
grant, which resulted in significant equipment and
services upgrade.
Where do you book prisoners and how lengthy is the
process?
The Whittier Police Department maintains a jail facility
at the station where all arrestees are booked.
A company called CSI is contracted to operate the
jail facility. The
officer’s responsibility during booking is to complete
a booking sheet and collect the arrestee’s personal
belongings. CSI
staff handles photos, fingerprinting and processing.
Which courthouse is used for Whittier Police
Department cases?
The Whittier municipal/superior/traffic courthouse is
located next to the Whittier police station.
On some cases, appearance may be necessary at the
Norwalk superior court, which is approximately 15
minutes from the station or at the Los Padrinos juvenile
hall in Downey.
Do you have a SWAT team?
The Whittier Police Department maintains a 21-member
tactical team, which is primarily used for high-risk
warrant service. All team members attend a basic SWAT school and the team
trains twice a month.
For situations that call for SWAT and negotiations, the
Whittier Police Department uses LA. CO. Special
Enforcement Bureau under a mutual aid agreement.
Do you have MDCs in the patrol units?
Yes. Every
unit is equipped with a touch-screen DATA911 MDC system.
Does the Whittier Police Department provide continued
training to officers?
Yes. In
addition to range and use of force qualifications six
times a year, teams receive a variety of training via
POST telecourses and shift training.
As part of the 24-hour POST continued training
requirement, officers are sent to off-site law
enforcement courses on a regular basis.
Do you have a substation in Santa Fe Springs?
Yes. The
Police Services Center is staffed by both Whittier and
Santa Fe Springs personnel and houses the WPD Santa Fe
Springs detective bureau, problem oriented policing
team, traffic, and records bureau.
The staging facility is also located in Santa Fe
Springs and is where officers report for duty.
The staging facility houses all police units,
locker rooms, briefing room and sergeant’s office.
Do you have a Baker to Vegas team?
Yes. The
Whittier Police Department regularly participates in the
Baker to Vegas relay cup challenge.
Do you have gym at the station?
Yes. There
is also a Gym at the Santa Fe Springs staging facility.
Do
you have a tuition reimbursement program?
Yes.
College tuition is reimbursed at up to 75% of Cal
State rates and up to $250 per semester for books.
The program is applicable up to and including a
Masters degree. For
detailed information and conditions that apply, please
contact Human Resources at (562) 464-3390.
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