Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $84,656.00 - $102,897.60 Annually
Location : Fairfield, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00003
Department: POLICE
Division: Police Patrol Sworn
Opening Date: 01/21/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A

Description

THIS POSITION IS FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED A CA POST APPROVED POLICE ACADEMY. IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED OR ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A POST APPROVED ACADEMY, PLEASE SEE THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR "POLICE OFFICER LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE".

The Fairfield Police Department serves a diverse community and exists to improve the quality of life in Fairfield. The department is committed to working with our community members to solve problems together. Police Officers are expected to perform a wide variety of sworn peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property; to maintain order and preserve peace; to provide assistance to the public; to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; respond to emergency and non-emergency situations; arrest violators of the law; to conduct investigations and perform other related duties.

Police Officer Trainees attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Police Academy. After successful completion of academy, Police Officer Trainees will have the opportunity to be promoted to the position of Police Officer (Academy Graduate). As a Police Officer, Academy Graduates will be assigned to complete an in-house field training program under the direction of a Field Training Officer. Academy graduates will perform responsible police work, crime prevention, and community service functions. This recruitment will serve to establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill immediate and future vacancies over the next 12-month period.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work may require nights, weekends, and holidays. Training may include physical training; emergency vehicle operations; firearm training. Work may include substantial periods of time exposed to various weather conditions (including extreme heat and rain), irritants and allergens.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Applicants must be 21 years old at the time of appointment or older and be in excellent health (as determined by a pre-employment physical examination). Ability to lift, carry, drag, pull, push persons or objects weighing at least 160 pounds and the ability to run for extended periods are time are required. Also requires walking and prolonged sitting, discharging firearms and using impact weapons. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, normal color vision and hearing acuity are required. Incumbents must meet any other criteria mandated by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification differs from Police Officer in that the Police Officer Trainee is assigned to a police academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including knowledge of laws and training in police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness. Incumbents in this classification receive training in a controlled classroom environment. Sworn officer status is not received until successful academy completion and official processing through procedures to become a classified Police Officer.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Instruction is received from academy instructors; receives general supervision from a Police Officer or Sergeant.
Minimum Qualifications

Experience:
None required. However, some experience in law enforcement work is preferred.

Education:
An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field or 60-semester units from an accredited college or university is required at time of appointment to Police Officer. Appointment to Police Officer occurs after graduation from a POST certified police academy.

• College credits earned while attending the police academy may be applied toward the 60-semester unit requirement.
• Candidates may be credited with 36-semester credits for a minimum of 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force and Coast Guard).

Other Requirements:

• Possession of a Valid Class C California State Driver's License is required.
• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.
• Must be free of felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.
• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.
• A T-Score of 45 or higher on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) is required.
  • Results must be dated within 12 months prior to the application date and submitted with the application.
• Successful completion, within 12 months prior to the application submission, of either:
  • A California State P.O.S.T.-certified Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), or
  • A Physical Agility Test (PAT) that mirrors the WSTB and includes the same five events.

Department Testing Opportunities
The Fairfield Police Department periodically offers the PELLETB and a Physical Agility Test that mirrors the POST Work Sample Test Battery.

• Next Testing Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
• Registration: Please to register for the February 14, 2026, PELLETB or POST Work Sample Test Battery.

WSTB/Physical Agility Test Waiver
If you have successfully passed a California P.O.S.T.-certified Police Academy Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) or a Physical Agility Test that mirrors the WSTB and includes the same five events within the last 12 months:

• The requirement to take the Fairfield PD PAT will be waived.
• Proof of passing must be dated within 12 months prior to the application date.
• Proof must be attached to the application.
• Applicants who do not attach proof will be required to complete the examination before continuing in the hiring process.

Examples of Duties

A sample of responsibilities for this position are listed below. For the complete job description please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfield/classspecs

• Attend a basic POST certified academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including laws and training in police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness.
• Undergo training to develop an awareness of functions and responsibilities of Police Officers and how they relate to field operations.
• Learn laws of arrest and pertinent local and state laws and ordinances.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• The role and function of a law enforcement agency.
• Computers to research and write reports.
• Customer service.

Ability to:

• Learn and utilize de-escalation techniques to resolve tense situations.
• Learn and understand police department rules, regulations, instructions, laws and policies.
• Learn to properly handle and safely discharge firearms.
• Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places, and judge situations and persons accurately.
• Learn to operate standard police equipment and vehicles.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Write accurate reports.
• Communicate effectively with people of diverse education, social and ethnic backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, physical agility test, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination. This position requires a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological assessment, and a medical examination prior to appointment.

HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates must submit an online application via NeoGov/Governmentjobs.com by 5:00 p.m. of the closing date. If you have any difficulties submitting your online application, please call NeoGov's Applicant Support Line at (855) 524-5627.

Mac users please note: To ensure compatibility, please use Google Chrome and ensure iOS settings are up-to-date.

If you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing/interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 428-7394 at least 1 week prior to the application deadline or examination date.

The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.
Police Officer Trainees are not represented by a bargaining unit. However, the City of Fairfield offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes City contribution toward the Public Employees' Retirement System and deferred savings; medical, dental and vision; life insurance; paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

For a more detailed overview of the Police Officer Trainee benefit package, please click on the following link Police Officer Trainee Benefits*

Upon successful completion of the police academy and becoming a sworn police officer, employee will be transferred from the CalPERS Miscellaneous Group to the Safety Group and be represented by the Fairfield Police Officers' Association (FPOA).

*While this group is not represented by a bargaining unit, its benefits, terms, and conditions of employment may be amended or modified in connection with changes resulting from collective bargaining applicable to corresponding units.
01

Do you have a valid Class C California Driver's License or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Will you be at least 21 years of age by appointment date?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a T-Score of 45 or greater on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) dated within one year? If yes, you must attach a copy to your application, or you will not proceed in the hiring process.

• Yes
• No

04

Have you taken and passed the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) from any CA P.O.S.T. certified police academy within the last 12 months? If yes, you must attach a copy to your application, or you will be required to register in the link provided on job posting for the next listed test dates

• Yes
• No

05

Do you meet the minimum educational requirements for this position?

• I have 36 semester units from an accredited college or university.
• I have an Associate's degree or higher.
• I have a combination of qualifying (U.S. Armed Services) experience and college units.
• I do not meet the minimum educational requirements.

Required Question