Police Cadet

City of Gaithersburg; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking motivated individuals for the Police Cadet position, an excellent opportunity for those aspiring to a career in law enforcement. Cadets will gain hands-on experience while supporting the Gaithersburg Police Department, performing various administrative tasks, and participating in training programs. This role is ideal for those who exhibit strong character and a commitment to community service. Join a dedicated team and embark on a rewarding journey towards becoming a police officer, while contributing positively to the community and developing essential skills for a future in law enforcement.

Benefits

Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year

Flexible work hours

Hands-on training experience

Qualifications

• Candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver's license.
• Must pass a comprehensive background check and physical fitness test.

Responsibilities

• Assist with administrative tasks and support department functions.
• Participate in special training programs and ride-alongs.

Skills

Good character

Sound judgment

Honesty

Reliability

Integrity

Education

High school diploma or GED

Enrollment in accredited college

Job description

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY
BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

The Gaithersburg Police Department is currently seeking highly motivated candidates who are at least 18 years old or who will be 18 years old at the time of hire. We are looking for candidates who are interested in a future career as a Gaithersburg Police Officer to be considered for the position of Police Cadet.

The Police Cadet Program serves to identify and select qualified individuals contemplating a career in the field of law enforcement and provide them with career orientation and first-hand experience to better prepare them to be a Gaithersburg Police Officer when they reach the minimum age requirements. However, a Cadet position is not a guarantee that the individual will be hired as a City Police Officer Candidate.

Cadets perform a variety of hands-on administrative, technical, and other tasks supporting the functions, services, and operations of the Gaithersburg Police Department while gaining insight and awareness into a law enforcement career and various phases of law enforcement. Cadets have an opportunity to work directly with, assist, and observe sworn and civilian personnel to experience the challenges and personal rewards of a police career.

Candidates should exhibit good character, sound judgment, honesty, reliability, and integrity that blend together with a philosophy for community-oriented policing, and a strong desire to serve the citizens of Gaithersburg.

ABOUT THE JOB

• $17.65 per hour.
• Be at least 18 years old (at the time of hire).
• May work up to 20 hours per week (evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required).
• Eligible for up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement per year of GPD Cadet employment. Reimbursement will occur after successful completion of the Police Officer field training program.

APPLICATION, RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PROCESS

Complete & Submit the Online Application & Confidential Questionnaire

Online applications must be fully completed and filed by the posted online closing date. Applicants MUST attach the GPD Confidential Questionnaire to the online application. If the Questionnaire is not submitted, the application will not be reviewed.

The GPD Confidential Questionnaire is a comprehensive document requiring a significant amount of information. Complete this document before you begin the online application process, so you will be ready to attach your completed questionnaire to your application when you submit it.

1. Click on this link - GPD Confidential Questionnaire (PDF) - to download the Questionnaire.
2. Save the Questionnaire PDF file to a computer.
3. Open the Questionnaire with Adobe Reader.
4. Fill out the Questionnaire completely:

• Read all instructions carefully and complete all sections of the Questionnaire as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
• If a portion of the Questionnaire does not apply to you, or there is no information you can enter, mark those portions as N/A or Not Applicable or in some other similar manner.
• If you are unable to sign (e-sign) your Questionnaire on the pages where a digital signature is required, you may provide signatures at a later time (invited candidates only).
• Gather associated documentation to submit when instructed to do so (invited candidates only).

Save the completed Questionnaire.

Complete the online application, including the Questions portion.

Attach the saved completed Questionnaire to your online application.

Submit your complete online application and attached Questionnaire

• Resumes and other materials may be submitted to supplement your application, but not in lieu of your application; do not use see resume or see attachment. The application and Questionnaire must be filled out completely; incomplete applications/Questionnaires will be rejected.
• Online applications and attached materials are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.
• WARNING: Intentionally lying or intentionally withholding information will result in a permanent disqualification.

Written Examination

After completing the online application, applicants who pass the initial screening phase will be invited to attend the written examination. Applicants must receive a score of 60% or higher to pass the exam. The written exam is standardized and timed, and uses valid, non-discriminatory procedures. Applicants provide a writing sample as part of the examination.

Physical Fitness Test

A physical fitness test will be administered to all applicants on the same day as the written examination (an applicant must be invited to attend). The minimum acceptable scores for each component have been determined from the universally accepted Cooper Institute standards for public safety employees and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC). These minimum acceptable passing scores fall well within averages of previous physical fitness testing conducted by the Gaithersburg Police Department. Each component will be demonstrated prior to administration. All applicants must receive a minimum passing score in each category to successfully pass this physical fitness test.

• 10 push-ups in one minute;
• 15 sit-ups in one minute;
• 18:00 minute 1.5 mile run;
• 80 seconds 300 meter run;
• Climb over a barrier;
• Pull/drag of a 150 lb. dummy for 15 feet;
• Traverse up and down two flights of stairs.

Oral Interview

Applicants who pass both the written examination and physical fitness test proceed to this phase. The Interview Board will be comprised of members of the department who have been trained in this process. Applicants who pass the oral interview and are selected will be assigned to the background investigation.

Background Investigation

A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on selected applicants. A background investigation is required by City of Gaithersburg ordinance and Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC) regulations, and will be conducted by sworn officers trained in investigative techniques.

Offer of Employment

If all tests, examinations, and background investigation matters are completed successfully, the City of Gaithersburg will provide selected candidates with an employment offer which will include the anticipated employment start date.

As a Police Cadet, you will:

• Receive instruction in the City of Gaithersburg Police Department's organization, chain of command, and rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Provide administrative, technical, or other clerical tasks in support of department functions and services when not attending ride-alongs; work may include, but is not limited to, routine office assistance such as filing, copying, faxing, and scanning documents; answering a multi-line telephone; providing assistance or routine information to callers or visitors to the Police Department; performing data entry tasks; maintaining police related records; conducting research and preparing reports.
• Report all contacts with law enforcement officers.
• Participate in special training programs as assigned.

Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click here to view the classification description for the Police Cadet position.

To apply for the Police Cadet position, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old (at the time of hire).
• Have the ability to lawfully become employed in the United States.
• Possess a valid driver's license and good overall driving record.
• Be in excellent physical and mental condition as determined by comprehensive examinations.
• Be able to meet the established vision standards required to successfully perform police officer tasks including passing tests for color vision (including a 14-panel Ishihara Vision Test for color blindness), acuity, binocularity, stereopsis (depth perception), and other vision skills.
• Have graduated from an accredited high school, or possess a high school diploma recognized by the Maryland Department of Education or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• Be of good moral character, with no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions for which a sentence of imprisonment for one year or more could have been imposed.
• Not be a current user of illegal drugs.
• Pass a comprehensive background check.
• Be attending or will attend (as soon as eligible) an accredited community college, college, or university in an area of concentration that will prepare you for a law enforcement career; classes are not limited to criminal justice programs.
• Be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Please Note: If you wish to become a Police Officer you will have to be (1) a United States citizen; or (2) a permanent legal resident of the United States and an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (provided that U.S. citizenship has been applied for and the application is still pending at the time of appointment as a Police Officer). Applications will be screened for employment eligibility by the City of Gaithersburg and applicants will be informed as to whether or not they are eligible to move forward in the selection process. The recruitment and selection process establishes a standing eligibility list for future Department vacancies; positions are filled based on operational needs.

Please review the Gaithersburg Police Department's Recruitment page on the City website for more information. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.

The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post accident and random testing.

For more information about the position or recruitment process, please contact the City of Gaithersburg Police Department at 301.258.6400 or [e-mail]. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] or 301.258.6327.