Police Officer Trainee
The City is actively recruiting for Police Officer Trainees. This is a temporary trainee position. Candidates that graduate from a California P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy who are hired as a Police Officer Trainee for the City of Vallejo may transition from the temporary position of Police Trainee to a regular, full-time position of Police Officer (Entry).
Under direct supervision, attend and successfully complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified basic police academy, receiving closely supervised training in: laws and codes; criminal justice system procedures; law enforcement and crime prevention techniques; officer safety; first aid; physical fitness and defensive tactics; handling and operation of emergency vehicles, firearms and equipment; radio codes and dispatching procedures; public contact skills, communication and interviewing; writing and editing police reports; investigation techniques; suspect contact, arrest and handling procedures; ethics; evidence collection and preservation; court testimony; and departmental rules and regulations.
Police Officer Trainees who fail to successfully complete a California P.O.S.T. basic police academy will be terminated from the City of Vallejo.
Salary $32.00 Hourly
Job Type Temporary
Responsibilities:
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Employees in this trainee-level, non-safety assignment attend a POST certified Basic Police Academy (POST Academy) and must satisfactorily meet all requirements for POST Academy graduation before being sworn in as probationary Police Officers (Entry). Assignments to the class of Police Officer Trainee are at-will temporary employees and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Assignment to the Police Officer Trainee class is limited to a maximum period of one year.
Following a pre-employment polygraph examination, thorough background investigation, psychological, medical and drug tests, applicants for Police Officer Trainee may receive an offer of employment and will be required to attend a California P.O.S.T Basic Police Academy of the City of Vallejo's choice. Such attendance may be at the City's expense, at a lower rate of compensation than incumbents in the Police Officer (Entry) or the Police Officer (Lateral) classifications. Upon successful completion of a POST certified Basic Police Academy, Police Officer Trainees are eligible for hire by the City of Vallejo as a Police Officer (Entry) and begin an intensive field training program. Entry level police officers must successfully complete an 18-month probationary period.
The class of Police Officer Trainee is distinguished from uniformed safety police-related classes of Police Officer (Entry) and Police Officer (Lateral) by designation and by the responsibilities and authorities associated with such designation as a safety officer under the laws of the State of California.
The successful candidate will possess the following highly desirable attributes: ethical behavior; good judgment; detail oriented; astute; proactive; responsive; timely; accurate; excellent oral and written communication to internal and external constituents; collaborative approach; solution oriented; safety conscious; and trustworthy.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
• Receives direct supervision from POST Academy staff and Vallejo Police Department supervisory and management staff
Examples of Duties
Important responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Attend a POST basic certified police academy, participating in and passing all required classes, training and tests and obtain the Certificate of Completion;
• Develop awareness and understanding of the functions and responsibilities of safety Police Officers;
• Performs related duties as required.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge:
• Basic law enforcement terminology, methods and concepts as taught in a POST Basic Academy and Field Training Program;
• Techniques for dealing with people under hostile and emergency situations.
Ability to:
• Demonstrate acceptable behavior in all peace officer background dimensions, defined by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training as: integrity; impulse control/attention to safety; substance abuse/risk-taking behavior; stress tolerance; confronting and overcoming problems, obstacles and adversity; conscientiousness; interpersonal skills; decision-making and judgment; learning ability; and communication skills;
• Correctly interpret and follow written and verbal instructions;
• Properly operate, utilize and care for a police vehicle, firearm, computer, radio and other equipment as required;
• Participate in and pass POST Academy physical training and testing;
• Read, understand and properly enforce laws, regulations, instructions, departmental policies and procedures;
• Understand, accurately interpret and follow oral instructions and directions;
• Carry out assigned duties at all times of day or night, under all conditions, in a vehicle or on foot, as required;
• Properly operate, utilize and care for POST Academy and department equipment, including, but not limited to: vehicles, firearms, radios and computers;
• Communicate professionally and effectively with POST Academy staff, the public and co-workers under stress and non-stress circumstances;
• Accurately analyze situations, detect criminal activity, make decisions and implement a rapid, effective and reasonable course of action under stress and non-stress conditions;
• Pursue, apprehend, subdue and control fleeing, uncooperative or combative persons, using appropriate force;
• Protect persons and property from harm during stress and non-stress situations;
• Prepare thorough, accurate written reports; remember names, faces and details of incidents;
• Provide assistance and credible testimony in the presentation of court cases;
• Work cooperatively with other POST Academy attendees and staff;
• Perform in specialized assignments as required.
Minimum Experience and Training Guidelines
• Currently enrolled in a California POST certified Basic Academy and within two (2) months of graduation.
AND
• A High School diploma, GED, and or 60 semester / 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university;
• Substitution: The 60 semester / 90 quarter units requirement may be substituted with 30 semester / 45 quarter units or the equivalent from an accredited college or university in addition to an honorable discharge from any branch of the U.S military and four (4) years of active duty service.
OR
• Twenty-four (24) months uninterrupted employment as a Police Cadet with the City of Vallejo Police Department and completion of 60 semester / 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university.
ALL CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
License or Certificate:
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Age:
• Be 20 years old at the time of appointment, and at least 21 years of age upon POST Academy graduation.
Vision:
• Not less than 20/100 uncorrected; or corrected to 20/20 without any color deficiencies.
Citizenship:
• Must be eligible for U.S. citizenship upon academy graduation.
Criminal History:
• No felony convictions;
• No misdemeanor convictions which mandate weapons prohibitions.
Other Qualifications:
• Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully complete medical, psychological, and background standards, which include polygraph testing, drug screening and California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.