Police Officer - Entry/Cadet (Trainee)

City of Benicia, CA; Benicia (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Benicia, CA is recruiting a Police Officer Trainee who will be sponsored through a POST-certified academy. Trainees start in a probationary status at $6,323.61 per month during the six-month academy, with promotion to Police Officer upon successful completion.

A 12-month probation follows, with an extensive FTO program to prepare for patrol duties. Responsibilities include patrol, investigations, report writing, court testimony, and traffic enforcement.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• No previous law enforcement experience required for Entry/Cadet (Trainee).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license issued by the CA DMV.
• Must successfully complete the POST Basic Academy course of instruction.

Responsibilities

• Attend POST-certified Police Academy.
• Be sworn in and promoted to Police Officer upon academy completion.
• Work under Field Training Officers during a 12-month probationary period.
• Patrol designated areas, investigate crimes, make arrests, and enforce traffic laws.
• Write police reports and testify in court.

Skills

PELLETB

High School Diploma

Education

Driver's license

POST Basic Academy training

Job description

SAFETY. COMMUNITY. PROFESSIONALISM. LEADERSHIP. INTEGRITY.

Interviews for qualified candidates will be scheduled once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

It is recommended that candidates submit their application as soon as possible as the recruitment may close at any time.

POLICE OFFICER - ENTRY/CADET (TRAINEE)

The City is accepting applications from candidates who would like to have the City sponsor them through a recognized police academy.

As a Police Officer Trainee, you will attend a six (6) month POST certified Police Academy starting in March 2027 to receive education and training in all aspects of law enforcement. The entry/cadet (trainee) candidates are appointed to a probationary status at $6,323.61 per month until successful completion of a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy. Upon successful completion of the academy, you will have the opportunity to be sworn in and promoted to the position of Police Officer.

After successful completion of the academy, the new Police Officers begins a 12-month probationary period. They will work under the direction of experienced Field Training Officers (FTOs) to prepare for patrol duties. Upon completion of an approximately 16-week FTO program, you may patrol designated areas of the City, investigate crimes against persons or property, make arrests, and enforce traffic regulations. Responsibilities of Police Officers also include writing police reports, testifying in court, and performing other related law enforcement duties.

This recruitment will serve to establish an eligibility list that will be used to fill future vacancies over the next 12-month period.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Lt. Heinemeyer at [phone] or email at [e-mail]

Important Date To Note:

Oral Board interviews will be held on Tuesday, November 24th, 2026.

A complete job description for this position can be found HERE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and ability would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and ability would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.

Experience:

• No experience in law enforcement is required for Entry/Cadet (Trainee) level.

License and/or Certifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid and appropriate driver's license as issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Must successfully complete the certified POST Basic Academy course of instruction as a condition of continued employment.

Other:

• T-Score of at least 45 on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) within 12 months prior to application submission.
• Must be able to successfully complete a POST physical ability test.
• Minimum age of 21 years by date of employment.
• Must be of good moral character to be determined through a thorough