Police Officer Trainee
About The Position
The Police Officer Trainee is an entry-level position in a municipal law enforcement career with the La Mesa Police Department. Upon hire, trainees attend the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute and complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)-certified police academy. After graduating from the academy—or, in specified circumstances, completing the required portion of the academy and entering a field training program—and taking the required oath, trainees advance to the Police Officer classification. Trainees receive miscellaneous, non-safety member benefits and are enrolled in CalPERS as miscellaneous, non-safety members. As a Police Officer, the employee enforces laws and helps prevent crime; controls traffic and enforces state and local traffic regulations; conducts and participates in criminal investigations; supports crime-prevention and law-enforcement programs; and performs technical and administrative work in support of department services. Work includes patrol, responding to calls, preparing reports, cooperating with other agencies, and maintaining specialized equipment. Candidates must complete the City's recruitment and selection process, which includes application review, a P.O.S.T. written test (unless exempt), a physical abilities test, interviews, background investigation and polygraph, psychological evaluation, and medical examination. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the background investigation and required medical and psychological evaluations.
Requirements
- Must be at least 20½ years old at the time of application submission.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
- High school graduation, passage of the GED, or an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Some work experience demonstrating a general aptitude for police work.
- Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain upon completion of the Police Academy, a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and maintain certification throughout employment in compliance with Senate Bill 2 (SB 2).
- Successful completion of the required police academy and applicable recruitment assessments and background, polygraph, medical, and psychological evaluations.
Responsibilities
- Patrol designated City areas by vehicle, on foot, or by other means to preserve law and order, prevent and discover crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
- Remain alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issue warnings and citations.
- Respond to calls involving protection of life and property, law enforcement, public service, and complaints, including accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, and animal control.
- Provide assistance at public-service calls that are non-criminal in nature.
- Contact and cooperate with other law-enforcement agencies regarding offender apprehension and investigations; respond to requests for mutual aid when needed.
- Perform administrative and other duties supporting law-enforcement services, programs, and activities; attend meetings and prepare and submit news releases.
- Maintain and calibrate specialized equipment, including preliminary alcohol screening devices.
- Prepare activity, operations, arrest, unusual-incident, investigative, and case reports.
- Perform related duties as required.
Benefits
- Trainees receive miscellaneous, non-safety member benefits and enrollment in CalPERS as miscellaneous, non-safety members.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
