Police Officer Trainee

Santa Cruz Police Department; California; Sur place; USD 81 000 - 96 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Hiring bonus

Educational incentives

Bilingual pay

Résumé du poste

The Santa Cruz Police Department is recruiting Police Officer Trainee candidates. Trainees attend an approved POST basic police academy to be trained in essential knowledge, skills and physical capabilities.

Excellent benefits including hiring bonus, educational incentives and bilingual pay are part of the package. Upon successful completion of the academy, Trainees become sworn officers with a starting salary of $8,578 per month.

Qualifications

• Attends the POST basic police academy to be trained in required knowledge, skills and physical capabilities.
• Must pass POST PELLETB with a score of 46 or higher.
• Must complete CAL POST physical agility (WSTB) with a score of 384 or higher and a 1.5 mile run in 15 minutes or less.

Responsabilités

• Under supervision, trainee attends academy and performs related duties as required.
• Supports department operations and community policing efforts during training.

Connaissances

PELLETB knowledge

WSTB familiarity

Physical agility

Team coordination

Formation

POST Basic Police Academy

Description du poste

Update: Effective the pay period that began on March 14, 2026, the salary for all classifications in the Police Officer Association increased by 4%. This job posting has been updated to reflect this increase.

Join the Santa Cruz Police Department team for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. Why SCPD? The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe.

Under direct supervision, the Police Officer Trainee attends an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities required to perform police service; performs related duties as required.

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Trainee candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the‑art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Trainee level does not require previous law enforcement experience. Excellent benefits including hiring bonus, educational incentives and bilingual pay are just part of the package you will have access to. Trainees attend an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities. The salary for Police Officer Trainees is $7,231 per month. Upon successful completion of the academy, Trainees become sworn police officers. The starting salary for sworn Police Officers is $8,578 per month.

Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are over 90 sworn officers assigned to such areas as patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigation, and undercover task force assignments. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must complete and submit passing 1) POST PELLETB results with a score of 46 or higher AND 2) California POST physical agility certificate (WSTB) with a score of 384 or higher and completion of a 1.5 mile run in 15-minute maximum time.

1. POST PELLETB: What is a PELLETB? PELLETB stands for “POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery.” This is a standardized written exam used by law enforcement agencies in California to assess the reading, writing, and reasoning abilities of candidates for peace officer positions and is recommended by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). What is a passing score? A T-score of 46.0 or higher is considered a passing score for the City of Santa Cruz. How do I take the PELLETB? For exam dates and locations visit https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/ Already taken and passed the PELLETB? If you have taken the exam in calendar years 2025 or 2026, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application. How do I prepare? Check out Copy of PELLT-B Study Resources or visit https://post.ca.gov/LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs

2. California POST physical agility test certificate (Also known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB): For WSTB exam, dates and locations please visit https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/. If you have already taken the WSTB within calendar years 2025-2026 with a score of 384 or higher and the 1.5 mile run with a 15-minute max time, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official agency letter with your test results to your City application. How to prepare? Check out https://post.ca.gov/Physical-Ability-Testing-FAQs Practice Agility Sessions: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/