Police Cadet (Part-time)

City of Tustin; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Tustin is seeking a Police Cadet to join its apprenticeship program, designed to introduce students to law enforcement and prepare for a future Police Officer role. Cadets assist full-time staff across front desk, investigations, traffic, records, and other duties, gaining hands-on experience while learning department operations.

Applicants must be 18–22 at hire, enrolled in an accredited college within six months, maintain at least six semester units and a 2.0 GPA.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and enrollment in an accredited college within six months of employment.
• Maintain enrollment of at least six semester units and a 2.0 GPA.

Responsibilities

• Assist front desk staff and answer public inquiries; process calls and requests for police services.
• Prepare and process reports, forms, and basic statistics; track case statuses and records.
• Direct and control traffic during events or peak times.
• Assist with field investigations, evidence handling, and photography as needed.
• Transport police vehicles to City Yard for service.

Education

Graduation from high school and college enrollment within 6 months

Job description

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT:

The Tustin Police Department is committed to serving the community in meaningful ways and enjoys a reputation for professional excellence. The Department strives to maintain the highest standard of professional ethics and personal integrity and remains dedicated to achieving excellence in performance throughout the organization and in the community. One of the many ways they do so is through the quality of the Department’s personnel. It continues to be the Department’s mission to have employees who are ethical, dedicated and loyal to the department and the profession.

The Position

The Tustin Police Department is looking to hire ambitious individuals who are eager to learn more about the various aspects of the law enforcement profession as part of an exciting and fulfilling apprenticeship programme. The Police Cadet apprenticeship programme is specifically designed to introduce young individuals to law enforcement and help them prepare for a future career as a Police Officer or another related position.

In accordance with well-defined policies and procedures, a Police Cadet assists full-time personnel with a variety of assignments throughout the Police Department including, but not limited to, Front Desk, Professional Standards, Communications, Investigations, Traffic, Property, Records, Crime Scene Investigation and Fleet Maintenance. Incumbents assume greater responsibilities and work with increasing independence as knowledge and experience are gained.

Individuals employed as Police Cadets must be between the ages of 18 and 22 at the time of hire and be enrolled in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university within six (6) months of appointment. To remain employed as a Police Cadet, the individual must be enrolled in minimum of six (6) semester units (or equivalent) and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better. Though the Police Cadet position is intended for current college students, an incumbent may continue to be employed in this position for up to 12 months after graduation from college.

Given that this is a part-time, at-will, non-benefitted position, hours will be limited to less than 1,000 hours per fiscal year. Hours worked may vary significantly from week to week.

The Recruitment Process

Each component listed below must be passed in order to continue to the next phase. Applicants will receive written notification of their current status in the selection process.

• Written Exam
• Panel Interview
• Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination
• Interview with the Police Chief (or his designee)
• Medical Examination (including a drug screen upon conditional offer of employment)

Candidates who successfully complete all components of the selection process will be placed on an employment eligibility list from which hires may be made. The eligible list is valid for one (1) year. The duration of the selection process typically lasts 9-12 months.

IMPORTANT*** A comprehensive background investigation and polygraph will be conducted on any eligible persons considered for hire. Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may be grounds for disqualification. A pre-employment medical examination AND a drug screen will be conducted upon a conditional offer of employment.

This recruitment is conducted on a continuous basis to meet the needs of the City as vacancies occur and may close at any time.

Examples of Duties

As a part-time Police Cadet, incumbents will perform a wide variety of duties. Examples of these duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Learns, understands and applies applicable laws, ordinances, policies and procedures
• Provides technical assistance to the public at the front desk and over the telephone; evaluates and processes disturbance calls, complaints, and requests for police services; gathers information, records complaints, and prepares routine crime reports; directs callers to other departmental personnel or other agencies as appropriate
• Prepares and processes a variety of reports, forms, citations, applications, and permits; types, compiles, and tabulates basic statistical and financial data; tracks status of cases and warrants; maintains related files and records
• Prepares and issues parking citations to vehicles parked illegally; arranges for the towing and storage or impound of abandoned vehicles, illegally parked vehicles, vehicles with expired licenses, or vehicles in violation of other related laws and ordinances
• Directs and controls traffic during special events and peak traffic conditions
• Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public for police, fire, or other services; communicates with callers to determine the nature of the call and provide appropriate assistance; maintains composure to ensure that complete and accurate information is transmitted to public safety and medical personnel
• Receives, classifies, indexes and stores property and evidence seized and recovered by police personnel, including money, firearms, narcotics, stolen property, and hazardous materials
• Assists with field investigations of crime scenes; protects crime scenes from contamination; takes photographs, and collects other related property and evidence; examines and processes evidence on scene and at the Police Department
• Transports police vehicles to City Yard for service
• Assists sworn and civilian personnel with essential non-emergency tasks

Minimum Qualifications

Education And/Or Experience

Graduation from high school and enrollment in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, within six (6) months of employment, in a field applicable to law enforcement. To remain employed as a Police Cadet, the individual must be enrolled in minimum of six (6) semester units (or equivalent) and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Licenses And/Or Certificates

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record. A valid California Law Enforcement Teletype Systems (CLETS) certificate is required within three (3) months of employment.

Special Requirements

Satisfactory results from a background investigation, polygraph, physical examination (including a drug and alcohol test), and administrative screening. Required to work varying shifts which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Age

Must be between the ages of 18 and 22 upon date of hire. Individuals may continue to be employed as a Police Cadet up until reaching age 24 and for up to 12 months after graduation from college.

Background

May not have any felony or serious misdemeanor convictions. Background investigation must confirm good moral character without a history of involvement in criminal activity or other unacceptable conduct.

Physical

Must be physically capable of performing the duties of a Police Cadet, be in excellent physical condition, have weight in proportion to height, have normal hearing, have vision of at least 20/100 correctable to 20/20, and have normal color vision.

To view an extensive list of the knowledge, skills, & abilities expected of the position, please follow the link here.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Information on the physical demands, mental demands, and work environment for the position can be found by following the link here.

The City of Tustin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Employment for this group is at-will and based on continued programmatic needs. No guarantees are made related to hours or longevity. Hours are limited to less than 1,000 hours per fiscal year.

Employees do not receive health, retirement, or any other benefits unless otherwise required by law.

Deferred Compensation

In lieu of Social Security, employees are required to contribute 5.5% of salary on a pre-tax basis every pay period to an OBRA 457 deferred compensation plan. The City contributes an additional 2%, for a total combined contribution of 7.5%.

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