Police Officer Recruit (Pre Service/Academy Graduate)

City of Glendale•Glendale, CA

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Glendale Police Department is hiring entry-level Police Officer Recruits who are committed to public safety and providing exceptional service to the community. This is an entry-level, non-sworn classification that participates in post-academy training. Candidates must be currently attending or have graduated from a California POST-approved Basic Police Academy. Academy attendees must provide a letter confirming enrollment; graduates must provide a completion certificate showing graduation within one year before applying. The role supports a community-based policing approach emphasizing community interaction and collaborative problem solving. The department offers specialized assignments and career advancement opportunities. The advertised annual compensation figure is up to $157,000, including incentive pays such as detective, longevity, and educational (POST certificate) pay. Applicants must complete the Law Enforcement - Frontline National exam through the National Testing Network by December 1, 2026, and no earlier than one year before applying. Candidates must meet the department’s character, age, work-authorization, medical, psychological, hearing, and residence conditions. Within four months of employment, employees must live within a radius of sixty contiguous land miles of the Glendale Civic Center. The department’s tattoo policy generally requires visible tattoos, body art, and skin markings to be covered while on duty, subject to exemptions and authorized exceptions.

Requirements

High school graduation or a State Board of Education certificate of proficiency, GED, CHSPE, HiSET, or CPP certificate.
Currently enrolled in a California POST Basic Academy, with an academy letter verifying enrollment submitted with the application; or completion of a California POST Basic Academy within one year before applying, with a completion certificate submitted with the application.
Valid Class C California driver’s license.
At least 21 years of age at the time of appointment as a Police Officer.
Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
Good moral character, with no felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude.
Pass a pre-placement medical examination and psychological evaluation; hearing must be acceptable under City standards.
Complete the Law Enforcement - Frontline National exam through the National Testing Network by December 1, 2026, and no earlier than one year before applying; minimum City passing scores are 65% for video, 70% for writing, and 70% for reading.
Live within sixty contiguous land miles of the Glendale Civic Center within four months of employment.
Ability to provide exceptional customer service, act ethically, make independent judgments under standard policies or procedures, and deal calmly with angry, upset, or frightened people.
Ability to develop required skills through on-the-job training and meet performance standards by the end of the probationary period.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, resolve interpersonal conflicts, foster teamwork, and support community-based policing.
Ability to read, write, and comprehend directions in English; remain poised in threatening or violent situations; and write clear, accurate, detailed reports from field notes.
Willingness to maintain a safe working environment and work overtime when requested.
Meet the department’s on-duty tattoo, body-art, and skin-marking coverage policy unless exempted.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and/or use of personal computers.

Responsibilities

Provide department services with exceptional customer service and the highest ethical standards.
Respond to calls concerning accidents, emergencies, crimes, threats, altercations, and requests for aid.
Provide information and assistance to the public.
Emphasize community-based policing through community interaction and collaborative problem solving.
Administer first aid to injured people.
Interview and interrogate witnesses, suspects, and victims, and record statements.
Identify relevant facts and prepare written reports on incidents and assigned cases.
Apprehend suspects using safe high-speed driving, foot pursuits, obstacle climbing, physical control, self-defense and arrest-control techniques, and firearms when appropriate.
Enforce traffic laws, direct traffic, and issue citations and warnings.
Investigate accidents and accident scenes.
Investigate juvenile matters, child-neglect reports, and juvenile delinquency, and refer juveniles to appropriate authorities.
Serve subpoenas and warrants, testify in court, mark and store evidence, make arrests as prescribed by law, and confer with the City or District Attorney’s Office regarding case preparation.
Ensure duties are performed safely and efficiently.
Perform other related duties as assigned or as the situation requires.