Police Officer Trainee

El Segundo Police Department; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Benefits

Educational Reimbursement

Paid Police Academy Fees

Uniform and Equipment Allowance

Job summary

El Segundo Police Department is seeking entry-level trainees to complete a 26-week POST-certified academy program after which incumbents may advance to sworn status at the Chief's discretion. The role emphasizes rigorous training, discipline, and a commitment to public safety.

New trainees receive a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for education reimbursement, academy fee coverage, and uniform allowances. The department emphasizes dignity and respectful service to the community.

Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED, or higher required.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.
• Completion or current enrollment in a POST Police Academy.

Responsibilities

• Attend scheduled training sessions.
• Learn and apply basic criminal and civil law enforcement concepts.
• Learn to prepare reports and handle evidence and testimony.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

California P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Police Academy or currently attending

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.

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
• 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

Ability to: