Police Officer - Entry/Cadet (Trainee)

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

Job summary

The City of Benicia sponsors Police Officer Trainee through a POST-certified academy beginning March 2027. Trainees are appointed to probationary status at $6,323.61 per month during the academy and may be sworn in as Police Officers upon successful completion.

After academy, a 12-month probation follows under Field Training Officers to prepare for patrol duties. Selected candidates will be placed on an eligibility list for future vacancies over the next 12 months, with comprehensive

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Experience: No experience in law enforcement is required for Entry/Cadet (Trainee) level.
• License: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the California DMV.
• POST: Must complete the POST Basic Academy course of instruction as a condition of continued employment.
• PELLETB: T-Score of at least 45 within 12 months prior to application submission.
• Physical: Must pass POST physical ability test.
• Age: Minimum age of 21 years by date of employment.
• Character: No felony or disqualifying misdemeanors; background per POST guidelines.
• Physical/fitness: Ability to meet stature, endurance, agility and screening standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for patrol duties after academy completion.
• Write police reports and testify in court.
• Enforce traffic regulations and perform related law enforcement duties.
• Assist in daily department operations under supervision of experienced officers.

Skills

PELLETB 45

Physical endurance

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: 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.
• License and/or Certifications: 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.
• Other: Must successfully complete a POST physical ability test.
• Other: Minimum age of 21 years by date of employment.
• Other: Must be of good moral character to be determined through a thorough and comprehensive background investigation, which will be conducted under P.O.S.T. guidelines.
• Other: Must have no record of felony criminal convictions or misdemeanor convictions which could affect credibility as a witness in a court of law.
• Other: Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and have the ability to meet the standards of stature, endurance, agility and general physical requirements as outlined in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual, as well as pass a polygraph and psychological screening, background investigation, written, oral and physical agility examinations.
• Other: Must adhere to P.O.S.T. Police Code of Ethics, display loyalty to the department, City government and the community.

IMPORTANT:

Copies (clear and legible) of the following documents must be attached at the time of application:

• Proof of a T-Score of at least 45 on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB). The PELLETB must be dated within 12 months of application submittal.

*PELLET B Tests are not conducted by the City of Benicia at this time. Please contact a local Police Academy for test options.*

Please note: If you do not attach proper documentation to your application, you will not be invited to move on to the next steps in the hiring process.

Entry/Cadet (Trainee) candidates must pass all elements of the pre-employment screening exams (which include written & physical agility, oral board interview, background investigation, and pre-placement medical screening, including a drug screen in order to be eligible for police academy sponsorship).

SELECTION PROCESS:

Application materials will be carefully evaluated; applicants who document possession of experience and education which most closely meet the requirements of the position will be invited to participate in the next phase of the selection process.

Prior to appointment, candidates must pass a thorough background investigation and a pre-placement medical screening, including a drug screen.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.

If, due to a disability, you need accommodations at any point during the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone].