Law Enforcement Trainee (Police Officer Trainee)

Law Enforcement Trainee

Are you interested in starting a career in law enforcement? We invite you to become a Law Enforcement Trainee with the City of San Bernardino's Police Department!

As a future member of our team, you'll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California's Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in the region, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences continues to inspire the city's evolving identity. San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It's a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

Law Enforcement Trainee (Police Officer Trainee) is a non-sworn, temporary classification, which may lead to an entry-level, professional law enforcement career position with the City of San Bernardino Police Department following successful completion of California POST approved Basic Academy Course and City of San Bernardino Police Department training.

This position is for individuals interested in a career as a police officer but have not yet completed Basic Academy training. Once hired, LETs are enrolled in the 23-week Basic Police Academy where they learn the skills and duties of performing law enforcement functions. While in the Academy, LETs are paid an hourly wage and benefits. Upon graduation from the Academy, LETs are appointed to the rank of Police Officer. New Police Officers then complete an additional 19 weeks of field training with an assigned Field Training Officer. After the completion of the field training program, officers are prepared to work alone in the field.

As part of the selection process, applicants will be required to participate in an online written exam in order to qualify for the Physical Agility Test. Online exam waivers are available to those who qualify.

To qualify for the online exam waiver, applicants must possess one of the following items:

• An Associate's degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Applicants who have taken and passed the California POST PELLET-B exam with a score of 42 or higher within the last 6 months of date of application may submit their scores on official letterhead to be considered for exemption from the online exam.
• Applicants who have previously taken and passed the online exam with the City of San Bernardino's Police Department within the last 6 months of date of application.

You must attach proof of your degree, a passing POST PELLET-B exam, OR an email confirming that you passed the online exam with the City of San Bernardino within the last 6 months to your application at the time of submission. Applicants that fail to attach proof will not be waived from taking the online exam. Attachments will not be accepted via email.

Online Exam Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Physical Agility Test Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

This recruitment will remain open until May 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.

The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States. Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee's Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.

The City of San Bernardino is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City follows a nepotism policy, which may impact hiring decisions if an applicant has relatives currently employed by the City. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at (909) 998-2060.

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. The San Bernardino Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is free of all forms of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment and retaliation (Government Code 12940(k); 2 CCR 11023).

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Stephanie Rivera at Rivera_es@sbcity.org. Additional information is available at www.sbcity.org.