Police Officer Trainee

Job Description

Police Officer Trainee | City Police Department

The Tone:
This is an early career, At-Will classification within the City Police Department, an essential agency dedicated to maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety within the community it serves. The department actively engages in crime prevention and community-based policing initiatives. This trainee-level role is fundamental for individuals committed to a career in law enforcement, providing the structured training necessary to develop into a sworn Police Officer who will directly protect residents, businesses, and public spaces.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: City
• Team: Direct supervision is provided by an assigned shift Police Sergeant, supervisor, and responsible POST Academy personnel. Higher-level police department personnel may also provide technical and functional supervision.
• Mission: To successfully pass the State of California POST Basic Police Academy, learn essential law enforcement and crime prevention skills, and prepare for promotion to a sworn Police Officer position within the department.
• Tech Stack: Computer, Keyboard, Monitor, Two-Way Radio, Patrol Car (with computer and printer), R.A.D.A.R. Guns, Taser or ECD Devices, Handguns, Shotguns, Bullet Proof Vests, Handcuffs, Flashlight, Batons, Chemical Agent Weapons, Narcotics Test Kit, Cameras, Video Cameras, Specialized Computer Software.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Academy Completion: Successfully attend and pass the State of California POST Basic Police Academy to obtain the necessary Certificate of Completion.
• Core Law Enforcement Training: Learn to perform essential law enforcement and crime prevention work, including patrolling assigned areas for maintaining law and order.
• Investigative & Special Assignments: Participate in learning investigative work and other specialized assignments under the guidance of the academy and department.
• Departmental Support: Contribute to the department’s mission by performing a variety of non-sworn duties on non-academy days, such as traffic direction and police records assistance.
• Technical Skill Development: Acquire proficiency in a variety of technical law enforcement tasks as directed by both the academy and the department.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This is an entry-level training classification requiring a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent educational courses. Candidates must possess a valid California driver’s license at the time of appointment and demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a POST-certified basic academy. Promotion to a sworn Police Officer position is contingent upon successful academy completion, obtaining the basic academy graduation certificate, and final review by the Chief of Police. Upon promotion, employees will begin a one-year probationary period as regular status employees.
• Experience: No prior experience is required for this trainee-level position.
• Skills: Ability to learn and apply criminal laws, codes, ordinances, and department policies related to apprehension, arrest, and evidence; learn and safely operate firearms and police equipment, including administering first aid and CPR; learn standard police radio broadcasting procedures; observe and accurately recall critical details; present clear oral reports and prepare detailed written reports; and exercise sound judgment in diverse situations while working cooperatively with others.