Law Enforcement Trainee (Police Officer Trainee)

City of San Bernardino•San Bernardino, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Law Enforcement Trainee (Police Officer Trainee) is a non-sworn, temporary classification for people who want to pursue a career as a police officer but have not completed Basic Academy training. After hiring, trainees attend a 23-week California POST-approved Basic Police Academy, where they learn law enforcement skills and duties. Trainees are paid an hourly wage and receive benefits while attending the Academy. Successful Academy graduates are appointed to the rank of Police Officer and complete an additional 19 weeks of field training with an assigned Field Training Officer. After completing field training, officers are prepared to work independently in the field. Applicants must complete the selection process, which includes an online written exam unless they qualify for an exam waiver, followed by a Physical Agility Test. Waiver eligibility includes having an associate degree or higher, a qualifying California POST PELLET-B score obtained within the prior six months, or a qualifying City online exam result from within the prior six months. Required proof must be attached to the application when it is submitted. The role requires a high school diploma or GED, minimum age of 20½ at application, a qualifying driver's license, and successful completion of background, medical, and psychological screening. The work may take place outdoors in varying weather or in an office, depending on the assignment. Duties and training require learning departmental procedures and the California POST Basic Course, learning firearm use and care, performing physical training, communicating clearly, writing reports, operating an automobile, and building effective working relationships.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Must be at least 20½ years old at the time of application.
Valid California driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy; out-of-state applicants must have a valid driver's license and obtain a valid Class C California driver's license within ten days of appointment.
No felony convictions.
Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien eligible for and having applied for citizenship.
Must be fingerprinted for searches of local, state, and national fingerprint files.
Must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
Must be free from physical, emotional, or mental conditions that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.
Knowledge of basic mathematics, correct English usage, and basic computer operations and functions.
Ability to conform to stressfully induced conditions, write legibly, and operate an automobile skillfully.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting or moving up to 25 pounds and performing required movements and physical training.
Ability to meet the vision requirements, including close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjustment of focus.
Successful completion of the applicable selection and pre-employment process, which may include written and oral exams, background investigations, medical examination with drug test, psychological evaluation, and reference checks.

Responsibilities

Attend and successfully complete the 23-week California POST-approved Basic Police Academy.
Learn the skills and duties involved in performing law enforcement functions.
After appointment as a Police Officer, complete 19 weeks of field training with an assigned Field Training Officer.
Learn departmental procedures and procedures set forth in the California POST Basic Course.
Learn the use and care of firearms.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Read and comprehend material at the twelfth-grade level; communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
Remember names, faces, facts, and incident details, and write clear, accurate, comprehensive reports.
Operate an automobile skillfully and type on a computer keyboard.
Perform demanding physical training exercises and establish effective working relationships with people contacted at work.