A lateral police officer is an experienced certified peace officer who is in good standing and is able to enter employment in another geographic location with their salary based on their experience, job knowledge, and ability to do the job. Lateral entry is the ability of a police officer in one geographic location to enter employment in another area, with the officers salary at the new department based on experience, job knowledge, and ability to do the job. The practice of lateral entry enhances recruiting, as it expands the pool of qualified personnel and increases training and cost-effectiveness, as staff moving laterally are experienced and can be assimilated into the department more quickly.

Lateral officers are in high demand in many departments, and they can be either in-state or out-of-state. In-state transfers are generally easier and quicker than out-of-state moves. Out-of-state laterals must have at least one full year of experience as a call-taking patrol officer, excluding academy time, administrative assignments, or jail/corrections assignments. The lateral transfer allows an officer great opportunity, and it is used mainly by officers with three to ten years on the job, but any officer may attempt one.