Police Officer Trainee

Corona Police Department; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Corona Police Department seeks motivated individuals to join as Police Officer Trainees, an entry-level role preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals. The program outlines important application dates, testing steps, and informational sessions to help candidates navigate the selection process.

Selected trainees may advance to Police Officer after academy completion and appointment to the Police Officer classification.

Qualifications

• Completion of the 12th grade or equivalent.
• Must have the ability to successfully complete a Basic Police Academy approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License at time of appointment and maintain it throughout employment.
• Must be at least 20.5 years old at time of application.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Skills

English language

Office software

Police terminology

Legal guidelines

Interpersonal relations

Education

High school diploma

Post/Basic Police Academy

Tools

Computers

Job description

The Corona Police Department is a team of 260 dedicated professionals serving across Field Services, Investigative Services, and Support Services. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, and innovation, and driven by our vision of Excellence in Policing, we are committed to protecting and partnering with our community. We are currently seeking motivated individuals to join us as Police Officer Trainees, an entry-level role designed to prepare the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: Thursday, November 12, 2026 (until 11:59 PM)

Written Exam: Week of November 16, 2026

Informational Session: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM (Optional)

One Day Testing - PAT / Interview: Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 8:00 AM

What We Offer - Your Benefits at a Glance

Upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T approved academy, a Police Officer Trainee may be appointed to the Police Officer classification. Below you will find an overview of the benefits not only for a Police Officer Trainee, and the changes you will see once appointed to the Police Officer classification.

DISCLAIMER: City paid benefits shall be as set forth in the most current version of the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the City of Corona and the Corona Police Employees Association, which can be viewed on the City’s website (www.coronaca.gov). In the event of any conflict between the above summary of City paid benefits and any terms or conditions set forth in the most current version of the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), the terms and conditions set forth in the MOU shall control for purposes of this recruitment.

Characteristics

• Integrity – Being truthful and ethical in what we do, what we say, and what we say we do in both our personal and professional lives.
• Respect – We are committed to our profession and will always respect one another and the community that we serve.
• Inclusion – We are not just diverse; we are welcoming to all.
• Teamwork – When we work together to achieve our mission, the department and community will grow stronger. Together, we are better.
• Innovation – We provide modern police services and are committed to always improving our organizational practices.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of English language including spelling, composition, and grammar.
• Familiarity with modern office equipment including computers and relevant software programs.
• Learn Basic functions, principals, and practices of law enforcement agencies including police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of Outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Education & Experience

• Completion of the 12th grade or equivalent. Education must be listed on the application to be considered complete.
• Must have the ability to successfully complete a Basic Police Academy approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License at time of appointment and maintain it throughout employment.
• Must be at least 20.5 years old at time of application.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt eligible for overtime compensation.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM. After reviewing applications, qualified candidates will move through a four-step selection process: the Online Written Exam, the informational sessions (optional), the One-Day Testing - PAT & Interview, and the Pre-employment Background Investigation. Candidates needing reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing process must contact the Human Resources Department no less than 72 hours prior to the test date.

Step 1: Online Written Exam

Qualified candidates will first be invited to complete the online written exam, which includes 108 questions covering reading, math, reasoning and analysis, writing, and human relations. Candidates will have 3 hours to complete the exam and may take it at any time before the deadline listed in their invitation email. A minimum score of 70% is required to advance to the next stage. Please note: A study guide is not provided; all instructions will be included in the exam invitation email.

Waiving the Written Exam

In accordance with POST regulations, candidates may waive the written exam by submitting one of the following with their application:

• Bachelor's degree or higher - unofficial transcript must be attached to your application
• Pellet-B Score of 42 or higher taken within the last 3 years of the application date.

If these documents are not submitted along with your application, you will be invited to take the written examination and must receive a passing score in order to continue to the next step in the process.

Step 2: Informational Session (OPTIONAL)

Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to attend an optional Informational Session. This session provides an opportunity to learn more about the Police Officer Trainee position, the City of Corona Police Department, and the overall selection process. Candidates will also have the chance to ask questions and gain insight into what to expect moving forward.

During this session, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with t