Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainee

Join the Santa Cruz Police Department team for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers, and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community, and work daily to keep it safe.

Under direct supervision, the Police Officer Trainee attends an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills, and physical capabilities required to perform police service; performs related duties as required.

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Trainee candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Trainee level does not require previous law enforcement experience. Excellent benefits including hiring bonus, educational incentives, and bilingual pay are just part of the package you will have access to. Trainees attend an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills, and physical capabilities. Upon successful completion of the academy, Trainees become sworn police officers. The salary for Trainees is $6,952 per month. The starting salary for sworn Police Officers is $8,248 per month.

Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are over 90 sworn officers assigned to such areas as patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigation, and undercover task force assignments.

The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring, and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must complete and submit passing 1) POST Reading and Writing Test Battery (PELLET-B) results with a score of 46 or higher and 2) California POST physical agility certificate (WSTB) with a score of 384 or higher and completion of a 1.5 mile run in 15-minute maximum time.

If you already have taken the POST PELLET-B in calendar years 2024 or 2025, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application. How to prepare? Check out Copy of PELLET-B Study Resources or visit https : / / post.ca.gov / LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs

For WSTB exam, dates and locations please visit https : / / theacademy.ca.gov / tests / . If you have already taken the WSTB within calendar years 2024-2025 with a score of 384 or higher and the 1.5 mile run with a 15-minute max time, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official agency letter with your test results to your City application. How to prepare? Check out https : / / post.ca.gov / Physical-Ability-Testing-FAQs Practice Agility Sessions : https : / / theacademy.ca.gov / tests / For additional general information on the POST Pellet B and WSTB exams, please visit : www.theacademy.ca.gov / tests.

Recruitment # 25-PD-11

Candidate Application and Selection Process :

• Apply Now with required application materials :
• Application - apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely.
• Responses to the supplemental questions
• Attachment of WSTB results and Pellet B results (if taken already)
• Screening Continuously : Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position plus Pellet B T-score and WSTB score results.
• Candidates must submit with their application the following test results :
• POST Pellet B t-score of 46.0 or higher.
• Possession of a California POST Physical Agility Test certificate, known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), with a score of 384 or higher and a 15-minute maximum time for the 1.5 mile run.
• Personal History Statement : Candidates with a fully completed application and meeting Minimum Qualifications and who attached passing POST T-score and WSTB scores will be directed to fill out the Sworn version of the Personal History Statement form (PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification. This is a lengthy document; if you wish to work on this ahead of time, the form is available on the City website. See our agency's customized instructions on filling out and submitting a PHS. You must wait until requested to submit a Personal History Statement, but you may review the form and reasons for disqualification and work on this document ahead of time.
• Interviews : All candidates who successfully pass review of their PHS will go on to selection interviews. Selected candidates who pass the selection interview will continue on to the background process described below under BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST.

Pay Incentives? Yes, there are pay incentives! If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the "City Employee" box where the application asks for the recruitment source and provide the referring employee name(s) as well. That way, we all get to benefit from having talented new employees. HIRING BONUS : New Police Officer Trainees will receive up to $10,000 in payments of $1,250 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1,250 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $2,500 at 3.5 years post hire.

EDUCATIONAL BONUS : New Police Officers who have a two-year college degree (AA or AS) will receive a $2,500 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation. New Police Officers who have a four-year college degree (BA or BS) will receive a $5,000 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation. If Police Officers also have an AA or AS, they will receive only the higher incentive.

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist, and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions : problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure, and physical ability. PRE-EMPLOYMENT POLICY REGARDING ILLEGAL USE OR POSSESSION OF DRUGS The following types of drug use or possession will be considered towards the disqualification of candidates in the pre-employment selection process for all police department applicants :