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.

Physical Agility Test Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

What You'll Be Doing Here

Click here to view the Law Enforcement Trainee job description.

What You Need to Qualify

Education, Training and Experience:

• A high school or G.E.D. equivalent
• Must be at least 20 years of age at time of application.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy. For out-of-state applicants, a valid driver's license is required. A valid Class "C" California driver's license must be obtained within ten days of appointment (CA Vehicle Code 12405c).
• Free of any felony convictions.
• A citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stand; talk and hear; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee may regularly work in outside weather conditions or in an office environment. The noise level depends on the employee's environment.

Knowledge of: Basic mathematics. Correct English usage, including grammar, punctuation and spelling. Basic computer operations and functions.

Ability to: Conform to stressfully induced conditions. Learn procedures as set forth in the California POST Basic Course and by the department. Learn the use and care of firearms. Write legibly. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Read and comprehend at the twelfth grade level. Speak well and present ideas clearly and effectively. Remember names, faces, facts and details of incidents. Write clear, accurate and comprehensive reports. Operate an automobile skillfully. Type on a computer keyboard. Perform demanding physical training exercises utilizing all parts of the body. Establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.

How to Apply and What to Expect Next

All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City's official website at www.sbcity.org. This recruitment will remain open until March 29, 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.

Pre-Employment Process may include, but is not limited to: Application Review, Online Exam, Physical Agility Test, Personal History Statement and Pre-Background Interview Questionnaire Packets, Oral Exam, Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Employment/Professional Reference Check, Pre-employment Physical Medical Exam / Psychological exam.

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).

To view the Police Department's Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report,