Police Officer / Police Officer Trainee

Capitola, CA
Capitola Police Department

POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under direct or general supervision, performs a variety of non-sworn law enforcement duties, attends a formalized education program in preparation for employment as a Police Officer and performs related work as required.

Police Officer Trainee is a full time, non-sworn, temporary classification intended to prepare individuals to become sworn police officers.

Trainees will be sent to a basic police academy at the City’s expense, and upon successful completion of the academy will be promoted to the sworn Police Officer classification.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(A) Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment; (B) Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any State.
(B) Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years are not allowed.
(C) U.S. citizen.
(D) Must be able to read and write the English language.
(E) Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
(A) High school diploma or equivalent supplemented by a two-year community college degree or vocational school training in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a related field; or
(B) An equivalent combination of education and experience.

POLICE OFFICER
GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic enforcement and regulation, enforces laws, and related law enforcement activities.

The job of police officer and reserve officer involves a variety of activity in responding to public requests for service, enforcement of traffic and penal laws. Police officers and reserve police officers must prevent crime and keep the peace.

The officer works a set number of hours and performs law enforcement activities during his/her assigned shift. On any given shift, the officer may perform any or all the following functions: cite traffic violators; respond to burglaries, domestic disputes, robberies, traffic collisions, and homicides. The officer also responds to calls for assistance from citizens, handles intoxicated persons and dangerous animals. The officer is also required to remain visible and actively seek out and identify crimes in progress. The officer is required to walk foot patrol. Police officers may be required to attend or conduct public meetings and make public presentations and engage in comprehensive problem solving and community oriented policing projects.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Lateral Entry:
(A) Must be able to meet all Entry Level requirements listed above;
(B) Must be able to pass medical exam and the Department’s physical agility test;
(C) must have at least 24 months of full time paid service as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction prior to application;
(D) successful completion of State Basic Training Academy or Equivalency Test within one (1) year after employment.