Police Officer Trainee

Salary: $4,454.00 - $5,416.00 Monthly
Location : CA 95380, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 2023-POT-329-05
Department: POLICE
Opening Date: 12/05/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information
PLEASE NOTE
The Turlock Police Department is offering incentives for Police Officer Trainees in an amount ranging from $6,000 - $10,000.
The Academy Trainee/ Academy Graduate incentive breakdown is as follows:
$3,000 at swearing-in date.
$3,000 upon completion of 3 years of service from swearing-in date.
Veteran who is honorably discharged - Additional $4,000 ($7,000 total) upon completion of 3 years of service from swearing-in date.
The City of Turlock is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Trainee. The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn, full-time, benefited position within the police department. The incumbent in this position is preparing for, or currently participating in, a full-time California Basic Police Academy authorized and certified under the guidelines of the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
A Field Training Officer (FTO) from the Turlock Police Department's field training staff supervises this position with general supervision provided by the Field Operations Division Managers (Captain or Lieutenants), as assigned. The Police Officer Trainee may be assigned to work for any division within the department before or after attending the police academy, or during extended breaks from the academy, and prior to being officially sworn-in as a regular full-time Police Officer with the City of Turlock.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is an entry-level classification designed to allow for the assessment, hiring, and training of suitable candidates for the position of Police Officer. The Police Officer Trainee is expected to prepare for, attend, and successfully pass - at all stages - a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Police Academy program selected by the Department. This is a non-represented position. The incumbent will serve an eighteen (18) month probation period. Failure to make satisfactory progress before, during, or after the Basic Police Academy may be cause for release from the program. Duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with municipal codes, ordinances, City policy, and related regulating entities. Upon successful completion of the Basic Police Academy program, the incumbent will be appointed to the Police Officer I position and will serve a new 18-month probationary period.
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Attain and maintain the ability to successfully enter and complete a POST certified California police academy.
• Complete a firearms course to achieve a qualifying score for firearms qualification under California Penal Code Section 832.
• Attend classroom activities, scenarios, physical training and other assigned duties, tasks and assignments in the Police Academy.
• Complete all graded work with a satisfactory score.
• Maintain honor, demeanor and self-control to the satisfaction of the Recruit Training Officer (RTO) and assigned Turlock FTO.
• Maintain a moral, ethical and legal standard commensurate with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
• Successfully pass the prescribed and required department firearms training course.
• Follow instructions and directions of assigned supervisors, completing tasks correctly and in a timely manner.
• Cooperates with other law enforcement agencies.
• Confers with supervisor on progress and problems concerning assigned duties and tasks.
• Other duties appropriate for the non-sworn position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to:

• Demonstrate an ability to learn and implement police procedures and methods.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; ability to observe, assimilate, remember, record and recall pertinent facts and details.
• Learn laws of arrest and pertinent local, state, and federal laws.
• Learn criminal investigations techniques and procedures.
• Learn the safe use and care of firearms.
• Exercise restraint and good judgment in a variety of emergency situations.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Prepare accurate case reports; write clearly, accurately, concisely, legibly and in correct grammatical structure and with correct syntax.
• Use a computer and various software applications.
• Meet established standards of physical endurance, agility, health, and vision.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Experience and Education
Experience:
Although no law enforcement or public safety experience is necessary for this entry-level position, the candidate must demonstrate the life-experience and common sense necessary to achieve a satisfactory score from assessors on the initial interview panel.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
AGE:
Twenty-one (21) years old at time of appointment as a Police Officer.
Proof of age is copyof an official United States issued birth certificate or any document accepted for proof of citizenship
CITIZENSHIP:
Pursuant to California Government Code 1031 (a): Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
Proof of citizenship requirement is copy of an official United States issued birth certificate or official United States naturalization documentation
EDUCATION:
Be a high school graduate from a United States public school, an accredited United States Department of Defense high school or an accredited or approved public or nonpublic high school.
Or pass the General Education Development Test indicating high school graduation level.
Or pass the California High School Proficiency Examination.
a two (2) year, four (4) year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university is desirable.
Proof of education is a copy of one of the following: A high school diploma, a college degree, a high school transcript, a college transcript or, if applicable, GED or Proficiency Exam certificates.
DRIVERS LICENSE:
Possession of a valid California Driver's license - minimum "Class C" - to be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
A copy of your driver's license is required.
CERTIFICATES
Possession of an advanced first aid certificate issued by the American Red Cross must also be obtained within six (6) months of appointment. Successful completion of a certified California Basic Police Academy within the first twelve (12) months is a condition of continued employment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must take and pass the P.O.S.T. academy physical fitness test with a score required to enter the police academy. The test will be given as part of the application process.
Maintain physical ability and stamina to meet police and safety standards including: See well enough to drive vehicles, make valid identifications, use firearms, write reports; and, hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone, and in person over incident noise, to be alert to situations of danger; and, bodily mobility to make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods, stamina and endurance necessary in the apprehension of suspects, use of hands and fingers to write, to utilize safety gear, and drive vehicles; and, must be able to lift equipment as necessary.
SELECTION PROCESS
1. All applicants must complete a standard City of Turlock application for employment form, supplemental questionnaire and submit the following documentation:

• Proof of age is copy of an official United States issued birth certificate or any document accepted for proof of citizenship.
• Proof of citizenship requirement is copy of an official United States issued birth certificate or official United States naturalization documentation.
• Proof of education is a copy of one of the following: A high school diploma, a college degree, a high school transcript, a college transcript or, if applicable, GED or Proficiency Exam certificates.
• A copy of your driver's license is required.

2. You may submit your required documentation using the following options:

1. Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option, or
2. Fax a copy to (209) 668-5529, or
3. Email a copy to tdhanota@turlock.ca.us or
4. Hand deliver copies of your documentation to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA 95380 on or before the final filing date.

3. Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Applications will be rejected if incomplete or if all required documentation and the completed supplemental questionnaire is not submitted with the application.
4. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications and have submitted complete application packets will be invited to compete in the testing process.
5. In the event that a large number of applicants possess the minimum qualifications, applicants who appear to be the most qualified based on their experience and education will be invited to compete in the testing process.
6. Candidates invited to compete in the testing process may be required to take a written examination, which is graded on a pass/fail basis. Only those applicants who pass the written examination will advance to the oral examination.
7. Candidates will also be required to pass a physical performance test that evaluates abilities to perform physical activities typically performed by Police Officers. Candidates must pass the physical performance test (if administered) in order to continue in the testing process.
8. Candidates invited to compete in an oral examination that receives a score of 70% or more will be placed on an eligibility list. Ranking on the eligibility list is based solely on the results of the oral exam.
9. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be referred to the Turlock Police Department for a Command Staff interview to determine which applicant(s) are referred for a background investigation.
10. Final appointment to the position of Police Officer Trainee will be contingent upon passing the following:

1. Background Investigation,
2. Chief of Police interview,
3. Psychological examination, and
4. Medical examination (including drug/alcohol screening, hearing and vision examinations).

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE SYSTEM
The City of Turlock has adopted a veterans' preference system (effective January 1, 2002). The percentage score achieved through entrance (non-promotional) examination which ranks applicants on an eligibility list shall be adjusted to provide: (a) one (1) percentage point added to the final test score for each six (6) months of active service during time of armed conflict, up to a maximum of five (5) points and (b) five (5) percentage points added to the final test score for veterans who are disabled as a result of active military service during time of armed conflict, regardless of length of service. To receive preference points, applicants must provide supporting documentation and proof of honorable discharge. In no event shall an applicant receive more than a five (5) point adjustment. This request should be made in section #12 of the employment application form. (A copy of your DD214 must be attached for this request to be considered).
MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENING
Every person who receives a conditional offer for a Police Officer Trainee position with the City of Turlock will be required to submit to a pre-employment medical examination which, in accordance with the City of Turlock drug screening policy, will include drug/alcohol screening. Refusal or failure to provide or pass the drug screening will result in revocation of the conditional offer of Police Officer Trainee.
CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY
The City of Turlock is committed to quality service to our customers. Our goal is to create a positive, productive and courteous atmosphere for our employees and customers. Employees are evaluated on the quality of customer service they provide.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Turlock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are sincerely interested in receiving applications from qualified minorities, women and the disabled. Qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, political affiliation or belief except where indicated by requirements of the job.
The City of Turlock will make every effort to accommodate applicants that have disabilities that would not allow them to compete in the announced process. Applicants are asked to indicate their request for accommodation when answering Question # 7 of the "Agency Wide" questions.
BENEFITS

• Effective January 1, 2013, all new employees, as defined by AB 340, will participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 defined benefit formula for non-safety members. All new employees, as defined by AB 340, who are safety members will participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Safety Option Plan Two, 2.7% @ 57. New employees shall have an initial contribution rate of at least fifty percent (50%) of the total normal cost rate for the defined benefit plan or the current contribution rate of similarly situated employees, which is currently a 9% PERS contribution, whichever is greater. All employees shall be subject to the mandatory provisions...