Police Recruit

City of Chula Vista • Chula Vista, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Your Career Starts Here! Chula Vista Police Department is a progressive organization that welcomes diversity, encourages innovation, and rewards employee performance. The CVPD promotes employee involvement in decision-making and problem solving. Through this commitment to inclusiveness, the CVPD receives strong support and an exemplary approval rating from the community. There are significant opportunities for career advancement through the CVPD. We’re seeking motivated individuals who are beginning their careers, as well as those interested in a career change. Prior law enforcement experience is welcome but not required. Mission The Chula Vista Police Department, in partnership with the Community, is dedicated to providing community policing, with the highest level of professionalism and transparency. Chula Vista Police Department Employees will provide fair, courteous, and compassionate service to enhance the quality of life in Chula Vista. Values Leadership | Respect | Integrity | Accountability The Position: Police Recruit is the entry-level position to a career in municipal law enforcement. Police Recruits learn and participate in established curriculum and subsequently pass all tests given by training staff, including academics and manipulative skills such as defensive tactics, firing weapons with accuracy, and driving at high speeds on a set test course while maintaining control. After successfully completing the Police Academy, the Police Recruit will then automatically promote to the classification of Peace Officer.

Requirements

• must be at least 20 years of age at time of application and 21 years of age at time of appointment
• must have a valid California Driver's License at time of appointment
• must meet citizenship requirements as defined under California Government Code Sections 1031(a) and 1031.5
• United States high school graduation, or passage of the General Education Development (GED) test, or attainment of a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university
• Knowledge of: customer service; modern office practices and procedures; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; basic mathematics; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to: participate in all physical training exercises; learn and participate in classroom lectures; prioritize and coordinate several activities/assignments; learn and apply procedures and techniques learned in the police academy, including community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents and collaborative problem solving; use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Must possess a good character and reputation; superior self-command, alertness, and judgment; ability to establish and maintain good working and public relations.
• Conviction of a serious offense, repeated or numerous convictions for minor offenses, conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude, or discharge from the military service under other than honorable conditions may be disqualifying.
• Candidates will be subject to a thorough background investigation, a voice stress analysis, and after a conditional offer of employment, a psychological and medical evaluation.
• Application Review: Applications will be reviewed to ensure that candidates meet the age, licensing, citizenship, and education requirements.
• Written Examination: The written examination is a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Test Battery that has two components: 1. Reading Component - measures reading comprehension 2. Writing Component - measures clarity, vocabulary, and spelling.
• POST 30-Day Rule: Applicants must wait for a period of one month (30 calendar days) before taking a subsequent exam.
• PELLETB Written Test Waiver Information: If you have taken the California POST PELLETB written exam with another agency AND the results are dated within 6 months prior to our test date; you MUST submit these results with your application to waive the exam. Only applicants with a Tscore of 46 and above will be invited to continue in the process. If you possess an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university OR have a foreign equivalency certificate, you may waive the PELLETB written test. You MUST submit a copy of your diploma or transcripts confirming your degree with your application to waive the PELLETB written test.
• Officer Background Questionnaire: The background questionnaire is a confidential questionnaire designed to assist the Police Department in conducting a preliminary suitability screening.
• Physical Agility Test (PAT) and All-Day Process: The Physical Agility Test (PAT) is developed to assess fitness and agility capabilities necessary to perform the duties of a Peace Officer. Test events are designed to simulate actual areas of police work. The PAT is comprised of : 1) 1.5 mile run in under 14 minutes (must pass to complete the PAT) 2) Obstacle Course; Body Drag (lift and drag a 165-pound lifelike dummy 32-feet); solid fence climb (run 5 yards to a solid fence, climb over fence, continue running another 25 yards); and 500-yard run. You must pass both portions of the PAT to move forward in the process.
• Background Investigation: Peace Officers are responsible for protecting and serving the public and are entrusted with substantial authority to carry out these responsibilities. As such, the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requires that the history of peace officer applicants be thoroughly investigated to make sure that nothing in their background is inconsistent with performing peace officer duties.
• Psychological Evaluation and Medical Examination: California Government Code 1031(f) requires all California peace officers to be free from any emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer. Peace officers must also be free from any physical condition that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.

Nice To Haves

• Additional college course work in Police Administration and/or Criminal Justice is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• learn and participate in all classroom and field activities while attending the police academy
• write/type reports and complete all assignments
• participate in daily physical training at the same intensity as the majority of the group, or as directed by academy training staff
• run up to six miles at an eight minute/mile pace
• perform up to sixty sit-ups straight
• perform sixty push-ups straight
• spar with training staff and/or fellow recruits
• fire weapons
• drive vehicles
• talk on radio
• learn about community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents and collaborative problem solving
• build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service
• perform other related duties and physical training activities as assigned

Benefits

• Peace Officer salary range is $8,798 - $11,790 monthly.
• up to $5,000 relocation allowance for expenses incurred for the relocation of the employee and their immediate family to San Diego County.
• Employee Referral Program. Eligible employees that make a successful referral will receive a referral payment of up to $3,000 or 10 hours of base pay (for eligible POA employees in accordance wiith the POA MOU).
• benefits afforded to ACE-represented employees.
• benefits outlined in the POA Memorandum of Understanding.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED