Police Academy Trainee

City of Manhattan Beach; Manhattan Beach (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Manhattan Beach is seeking a Police Academy Trainee to enter a formal POST-certified training program. Under supervision, you will complete basic training and be sworn in as a Police Officer upon graduation.

You will learn law enforcement principles, procedures, and reporting, while supporting investigations and traffic enforcement as part of a large, collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Must have English language knowledge and communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Able to read and interpret complex technical documents.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Observe, record, and recall pertinent facts and details.
• Adopt quick, effective actions under hazards and circumstances.
• Learn and apply use of force techniques as required.
• Perform strenuous physical activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Use a personal computer.
• Attend training sessions in a punctual and dependable manner.

Responsibilities

• Attends scheduled academy training sessions and participates in physical fitness regimen.
• Learns principles of criminal and civil law enforcement.
• Learns basic criminal investigation processes and evidence handling.
• Learns to prepare various reports such as vehicle and crime reports.
• Learns to respond to radio and calls for service and make arrests as necessary.
• Learns to investigate crimes, traffic incidents and interview victims and witnesses.
• Learns to analyze situations and make decisions under stress.
• Learns to collect and preserve evidence and testify in court.
• Learns to direct traffic and enforce safety and law during emergencies.
• May be required to work shifts, weekends, or holidays.

Skills

English language

Read & interpret documents

Follow written instructions

Record & recall facts

Make quick decisions

Use of force knowledge

Physical fitness

Teamwork

PC skills

Attend training sessions on time

Education

High School diploma or GED

College coursework desirable

Job description

Testing Dates

Below are the upcoming testing dates for this position. Please note that the listed dates are tentative and may be subject to change.

• Application Filing Deadline: September 1, 2026; November 1, 2026
• Written Test: September 2026; November 2026
• Physical Agility Test: September 2026; November 2026
• Panel Interview: October 2026; December 2026

Testing may occur periodically throughout the year, on an as-needed basis. Eligible applicants will be notified of testing opportunities when they arise. Testing consists of the P.O.S.T. PELLET-B Written Exam, a Physical Agility Exam, and a Panel Interview.

If you've taken the P.O.S.T. exam within the last six months and received a T-Score of 45 and above, please attach the result letter with letterhead with your exam date and score if you wish to submit those results for consideration. Those with an existing T-score of 45 and above will be eligible to compete in the Physical Agility Exam.

California POST Pellet B-Testing Preparation Guide

Physical Agility

Police Academy Trainee (PAT) is a non-sworn training position.

Under close supervision, the Police Academy Trainee will complete a formal, comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Basic Academy training program; learn basic law enforcement legislation and principles, police procedures and techniques and do other related work as required. Upon satisfactory completion of the training and graduation from the Academy within the prescribed training period, the Academy Trainee will be sworn in as a Police Officer. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

• Attends scheduled academy training sessions and participates in physical fitness regimen as required by Academy.
• Learns principles, practices and theory of criminal and civil law enforcement.
• Learns basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and witness interrogation.
• Learns to prepare various reports, including but not limited to vehicle reports, crime reports, suspect information reports, and missing persons reports.
• Learns to respond to radio and computer messages and calls for service and techniques to make arrests as necessary.
• Learns to investigate crimes, traffic collisions and suspicious activities; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; and detain and interrogate suspects
• Learns to analyze situations and make decisions appropriately under stressful situations
• Learns to collect and preserve evidence and testify and present evidence in court
• Learns to direct traffic, including regulation of vehicle flow at times of emergency or congestion; and learn to stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws, and issue citations as necessary
• May be required to work shifts, weekends, or holidays

Education/Training/Experience

• A High School diploma or G.E.D. or California High School Proficiency Test is required
• The completion of college level course work is desirable

Licenses/Certificates

• A valid California driver's license is required at the time of appointment.
• Incumbents are required to have the ability obtain a P.O.S.T. Proof of Eligibility and maintain a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate once issued, and meet all P.O.S.T. standards and requirements during employment.
• Employees hired after September 3, 1988, shall refrain from smoking tobacco or using any other tobacco substance at any time, on or off duty.
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older at the time of appointment.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Applicants will undergo a complete, comprehensive, P.O.S.T. approved, background check, including but not limited to a background investigation, polygraph, psychological, and medical examination.
• Applicants must be able to meet legal and agency standards for employment as a Peace Officer.
• In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must have knowledge of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical documents
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Observe, record, and recall pertinent facts and details
• Adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action, giving due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances of each situation
• Learn and apply proper and appropriate use of force techniques
• Perform strenuous physical activities
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Use a personal computer
• Attend training sessions in a punctual and dependable manner

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

All applicants will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements listed in this job announcement does not guarantee advancement in subsequent phases of the selection process. The selection process may be changed as deemed necessary by the City Human Resources Department.

The selection process will consist of the following component and weight:

Oral Interview (100%)

* Final appointment in the Police Department is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of an extensive background investigation and a polygraph examination.

If you need special assistance in the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone].

NOTE: A drug test may be administered as part of the pre-employment medical exam. The provisions of this brochure do not constitute a contract, express or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.