Police Officer Trainee

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Signing bonus! Successful candidates will be eligible for a $7,500 recruitment incentive.

Under immediate supervision, attends a Basic Police Academy as approved by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST); upon successful completion of the Academy's course of study, acquires State of California peace officer status; patrols an assigned area; enforces municipal codes, traffic codes, and related public safety laws; detects, prevents, and investigates crimes; carries out special assignments in the protection of life and property; and performs related work as required. Supervision received and exercised : Receives immediate supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Class characteristics : This is the training classification for law enforcement in the City of Upland. This is an entry-level non-sworn classification and upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T. approved academy, a Police Officer Trainee may be appointed to the Police Officer classification. The Police Officer Trainee is distinguished from Police Officer in that the trainee attends an approved law enforcement academy. Upon successful completion of academy, the trainee will be sworn in as a Police Officer with all duties empowered with a sworn police officer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Attends and participates in a comprehensive law enforcement training program for entry level Police Officers.
• Receives, learns, and understands instruction in basic criminal investigation procedures and techniques.
• Receives and participates in firearm training, classroom instruction in enforcement psychology, enforcement tactics, effective writing, and speaking.
• Learns radio operations and methods of traffic, riot, and crowd control.
• Participates in and trains for physical strength and agility.
• Enforces city, county, and state ordinances and laws.
• Patrols a designated area of the City on foot or in a radio car to prevent crime and maintain law and order.
• Responds to general public service calls and complaints including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.
• Inspects premises at night; assists in the investigation of crimes; conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths, or other matters involving possible law violations; discovers and / or prevents the commission of crimes; enforces traffic and other laws and ordinances; issue warnings and citations.
• Provides first aid, CPR, and / or Narcan for injured persons prior to arrival of advanced medical support; requests medical attention when required.
• Directs traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations; conducts traffic analyses and general traffic surveys; obtains traffic accident statements; examines conditions of accident scenes; takes written statements; clears scene of obstructions and wreckage; notes and reports traffic hazards; conducts investigations of serious injury and fatality traffic accidents.
• Reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment.
• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order.
• Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigation of disturbances, suspicious vehicles or persons, burglaries, thefts, robberies, homicides, deaths, or other matters involving possible law violations to determine the proper cause of action.
• Carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement in general.
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Gathers and preserves evidence; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; identifies and interrogates suspects; apprehends and arrests offenders; testifies and presents evidence in court.
• Prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed; serves warrants and subpoenas; remains current on laws and procedures required for serving warrants.
• Takes custody of prisoners including but not limited to transportation, receiving, searching, fingerprinting, photographing, and booking.
• Participates in police training courses and programs; provides escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment.
• Maintains contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with general public; takes an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines

Education and experience : Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be :

Licenses / Certificates / and Special Requirements :

Vision : No more than 20 / 70 uncorrected and 20 / 20 corrected and normal color vision. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Age : Must be 21 years of age or older at time of completion of academy.

Citizenship : Must be a citizen of the United States OR permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has already applied for citizenship.

Character : Applicants must be of good character and reputation. Applicants will be fingerprinted, and records checked in both State and Federal Bureaus. Applicants must not have a record of conviction of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory.

Driver's License : Possession of a valid California Driver's License, and an acceptable driving record and evidence of insurability to be maintained throughout employment.

Recruitment Process :

Step 1 : Online Application : In order to be considered for a law enforcement position with the Upland Police Department, applicants must submit an online application in response to a current job opportunity listed on the City's website.

Step 2 : Written Examination and Physical Agility Test : Qualified applicants will be required to successfully pass the written POST Pellet B Examination with a T-score of 46 or higher and complete a physical agility test as part of the recruitment process. Physical Agility Test will be conducted on Friday 10 / 10 / 2025 between 0900-1200 Hours. Pellet B written exam date to be determined. (Pellet B waived if currently in a POST academy.) Qualified applicants will be invited via email to the written examination. Successful candidates will be invited to participate in the PAT (physical agility test). Applicants may submit written t-scores from other agencies for examinations taken within the last 12 months. T-scores shall be sent to clealgarcia@uplandpd.org for consideration.

Step 3 : Oral Interview : Qualified applicants will be required to complete oral interviews as part of the recruitment process.

Step 4 : Background Investigation and Administrative Interviews : Qualified applicants will undergo a complete, comprehensive, POST approved Background Investigation including a Polygraph Examination. Upon completion of the background investigation, applicants may be invited to an Administrative Interview.

Step 5 : Conditional Job Offer : Following the successful completion of all prior steps, candidates may be made a conditional job offer. Job offers are conditional upon the successful completion of a psychological and medical examination.

Step 6 : Psychological and Medical Examinations : Qualified applicants shall undergo a psychological assessment by a qualified professional to determine their suitability for the position. In addition, applicants will complete a full medical examination, including drug screening.

Other : Veteran Test Points : Applicants who served on active-duty status in the U.S military may be eligible for 5 points added to the Oral Interview upon receiving a passing score. Applicants must submit form DD214 showing honorable discharge.

Knowledge of :