Police Officer Trainee

City of El Segundo; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Benefits

Educational Reimbursement

Paid Police Academy Fees

Uniform and Equipment Allowance

Job summary

The City of El Segundo is seeking entry-level Police Officers to begin a formal POST-certified academy program. Trainees complete a ~26-week Basic Academy and may be elevated to sworn status at the Chief's discretion.

The department emphasizes community safety, professional conduct and comprehensive training. Upon graduation and swearing-in, officers can access incentives, education pay and reimbursement, with a strong benefits package and opportunities for advancement within a respected

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with ability to obtain California certification.
• Must possess valid California Class C Driver's License.
• Must be minimum 20 1/2 years of age or older.
• Background, medical, polygraph examinations and extensive background investigation required.

Responsibilities

• Attend scheduled training sessions.
• Learn principles, practices and theory of criminal and civil law enforcement.
• Learn basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including evidence collection and preservation, courtroom testimony, and witness interrogation.
• Learn to prepare various reports, including vehicle, crime, suspect information and missing persons reports.
• Learn to respond to radio and computer messages and calls for service.
• Learn techniques to make arrests as necessary.
• Learn to investigate crimes, traffic collisions and suspicious activities.
• Learn to interview victims, complainants and witnesses.
• Learn to detain and interrogate suspects.
• Learn to analyze situations and make decisions under stress.
• Learn to collect and preserve evidence; testify in court.
• Learn to direct traffic and issue citations as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Oral and written communication

Reading comprehension

Education

High School Diploma or GED

California High School Proficiency Examination

Advanced degree from accredited college or university

Job description

SALARY: $6,744.86- $9,019.10 Monthly $80,938.32- $108,229.20 Annually

• Excellent Benefits
• Educational Reimbursement
• Paid Police Academy Fees
• Uniform and Equipment Allowance

Upon graduation from Police Academy and swearing-in by Chief of Police, Police Officers can receive the following incentives:

• Monthly salary $8,431.07 - $11,273.88*
• Voluntary Binding Arbitration - $10,000*
• Longevity Pay: $208.00 - $1,196.00 depending on years of service*
• Education Pay: $310.02 - $1,407.76 depending on highest level of education*
• Tuition Reimbursement: $20,000*
• Special Assignment Pay Opportunities*
• Holiday Pay*

* Per Police Officer Association Memorandum of Understanding (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2029)

WHO WE ARE:

El Segundo, incorporated in 1917, is home to approximately 17,000 residents and is known as a major aeronautical and industrial business center. The City is headquarters to several corporations including Mattel, Chevron and most recently, the Los Angeles Times. El Segundo is also home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Chargers, and Kings training facilities.

The El Segundo Police Department is a full-service agency, providing the highest levels of crime prevention and quality service to a community that strongly supports its public safety members. The Department's mission is to provide a safe and secure community while treating all people with dignity and respect.

Under close supervision, incumbents in this non-sworn, entry-level position complete a formal, comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Basic Academy training program of about 26-weeks duration and perform other related work as required. Upon successful completion of the mandatory policy academy, trainees may be elevated to the rank of sworn Police Officer at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Position in this classification typically perform a full range of duties at a level of complexity represented by the following types of responsibilities.

• Attend scheduled training sessions;
• Participate in physical fitness regimen as required by Academy;
• Learn principles, practices and theory of criminal and civil law enforcement;
• Learn basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and witness interrogation;
• Learn to prepare various reports, including but not limited to vehicle reports, crime reports, suspect information reports, and missing persons reports;
• Learn to respond to radio and computer messages and calls for service;
• Learn techniques to make arrests as necessary;
• Learn to investigate crimes, traffic collisions, and suspicious activities;
• Learn to interview victims, complainants and witnesses;
• Learn to detain and interrogate suspects;
• Learn to analyze situations and make decisions appropriately under stressful situations;
• Learn to collect and preserve evidence;
• Learn to testify and present evidence in court;
• Learn to direct traffic, including regulation of vehicle flow at times of emergency or congestion;
• Learn to stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws and issue citations as necessary; and
• May be required to work shifts, weekends or holidays.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma, pass the General Education Development test indicating high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university.

Candidates who have successfully completed a full-time California P.O.S.T Certified Basic Police Academy or currently attending an Academy (with a ranking within the top 25 percentile of their class) may be allowed to substitute their academy training in lieu of having to attend the City's mandatory academy. The decision is at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Must possess a valid California Class \"C\" Driver's License.

Age:

Must be a minimum of 20 ½ years of age at the time of the written test.

Special Requirements:

• Must be of proportional height to weight, be physically able to handle the rigorous duties of police work;
• Possess normal hearing and color perception, minimum vision of 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20;
• Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully complete a polygraph test, psychological and medical examination, and an extensive background investigation process;
• Smoking and/or the use of tobacco products on or off duty are prohibited as a condition of employment; and
• Any visible tattoo(s), body art and/or body piercings are prohibited while performing department duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Other Characteristics:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; ability to read and interpret complex technical documents;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Observe, record, and recall pertinent facts and details;
• Adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action, giving due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances;
• Learn and apply proper and appropriate use of force techniques; and
• Perform strenuous physical activities.

Skill In:

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the members of the public, the community, co-workers and superiors; and
• Skill in using a personal computer.