Police Officer Trainee

City of Cypress • Cypress, CA

29d • Onsite

About The Position

The position of Police Officer Trainee is a temporary and non-benefitted, agency-sponsored position during attendance at a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) approved Police Academy. Upon successful completion of academy training, the Police Officer Trainee will be reclassified to Police Officer. The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn position and attends formalized training at a police academy to learn practices, procedures and techniques of law enforcement, crime prevention, community policing, first aid, physical conditioning and handling of weapons. Under the general supervision of Academy Command Staff and a Cypress Police Sergeant or Officer, a Police Officer Trainee is expected to actively participate, maintain an acceptable class standing at all times during training and successfully complete the prescribed training program with acceptable results in order to effectively perform the duties of a sworn Police Officer.

Requirements

• Meet the requirement for sworn Police Officer contained in the California State Government Code.
• Learn, understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Learn police safety principles and techniques.
• Understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Prepare comprehensive records and reports.
• Exercise self-control and good judgment in emergency/hazardous situations.
• Meet the public with courtesy and tact.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.
• Minimum age of 21 at time of appointment.
• Must be of good moral character with no felony convictions.
• Must have a U.S. citizenship or have filed application for citizenship.
• Must have a valid California Class "C" driver license and an acceptable driving record.
• Applicant's vision must be 20/70 uncorrected and 20/20 corrected.
• Color vision must be normal.
• Applicant's hearing must be consistent with POST guidelines.
• Applicant must be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination, with weight proportion to height.
• Any felony conviction except as provided in Government Code 1029(b)-(e).
• Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as an illegal opiate, hallucinogen, stimulant or depressant in the past 7 years. This includes cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, GHB, ecstasy, etc.
• A pattern, history, or irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, or failure to pay, etc. Exigent circumstances may be evaluated on an individual basis.
• Any conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past seven years of the date of application or more than one conviction of driving under the influence at any time.
• ALL POLICE DEPARTMENT APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION TO ENSURE CANDIDATES ARE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER (GOV'T CODE SECTION 1031).
• ALL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION.

Nice To Haves

• A Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university is desirable.
• Bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assignment in police unit, answer calls and act for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County and State laws.
• Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, burglaries, deaths and other criminal incidents.
• Make arrests as necessary.
• Interview victims, complainants and witnesses.
• Interrogate suspects/gather and preserve information.
• Testify and present evidence in court.
• Work cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies.
• Prepare legible and accurate written reports on a timely basis.
• Search, fingerprint and transport prisoners.
• Direct traffic.
• Maintain positive relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.
• Adhere to all safety rules and regulations.
• Perform other duties as required under emergency situations or as assigned.
• Actively participate, maintain an acceptable class standing at all times during training and successfully complete the prescribed training program with acceptable results.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED