Police Officer Trainee

City of Fairfield; Fairfield (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fairfield Police Department is seeking Police Officer Trainees who have not completed a POST-approved academy. This entry-level recruitment will establish an eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies over the next 12 months.

Trainees attend a POST-certified academy and may progress to a Police Officer (Academy Graduate) after successful completion, followed by in-house field training. The process emphasizes fitness, integrity, and ongoing learning.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years old or older at time of appointment and in excellent health as determined by a pre-employment physical examination.
• Associate's degree or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university required at time of appointment; college credits from academy may count toward the requirement.
• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license; U.S. work eligibility.
• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.
• T-Score of 45 or higher on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) within 12 months prior to application; attached proof.
• Completion within 12 months prior to application of POST-certified exam: WSTB or PAT with same five events; results dated within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Attend a basic POST certified academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system and training in police procedures.
• Undergo training to develop awareness of Police Officers' functions and field operations.
• Learn laws of arrest and pertinent local/state laws and ordinances.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Report writing

Customer service

Communication

Education

Associate's degree or 60 semester units in criminal justice, psychology, public administration or related field

Job description

THIS POSITION IS FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED A CA POST APPROVED POLICE ACADEMY. IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED OR ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A POST APPROVED ACADEMY, PLEASE SEE THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR "POLICE OFFICER LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE".

The Fairfield Police Department serves a diverse community and exists to improve the quality of life in Fairfield. The department is committed to working with our community members to solve problems together. Police Officers are expected to perform a wide variety of sworn peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property; to maintain order and preserve peace; to provide assistance to the public; to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; respond to emergency and non-emergency situations; arrest violators of the law; to conduct investigations and perform other related duties.

Police Officer Trainees attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Police Academy. After successful completion of academy, Police Officer Trainees will have the opportunity to be promoted to the position of Police Officer (Academy Graduate). As a Police Officer, Academy Graduates will be assigned to complete an in-house field training program under the direction of a Field Training Officer. Academy graduates will perform responsible police work, crime prevention, and community service functions. This recruitment will serve to establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill immediate and future vacancies over the next 12-month period.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work may require nights, weekends, and holidays. Training may include physical training; emergency vehicle operations; firearm training. Work may include substantial periods of time exposed to various weather conditions (including extreme heat and rain), irritants and allergens.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Applicants must be 21 years old at the time of appointment or older and be in excellent health (as determined by a pre-employment physical examination). Ability to lift, carry, drag, pull, push persons or objects weighing at least 160 pounds and the ability to run for extended periods are time are required. Also requires walking and prolonged sitting, discharging firearms and using impact weapons. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, normal color vision and hearing acuity are required. Incumbents must meet any other criteria mandated by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification differs from Police Officer in that the Police Officer Trainee is assigned to a police academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including knowledge of laws and training in police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness. Incumbents in this classification receive training in a controlled classroom environment. Sworn officer status is not received until successful academy completion and official processing through procedures to become a classified Police Officer.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Instruction is received from academy instructors; receives general supervision from a Police Officer or Sergeant.

Experience

None required. However, some experience in law enforcement work is preferred.

Education

An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field or 60-semester units from an accredited college or university is required at time of appointment to Police Officer. Appointment to Police Officer occurs after graduation from a POST certified police academy.

• College credits earned while attending the police academy may be applied toward the 60-semester unit requirement.
• Candidates may be credited with 36-semester credits for a minimum of 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Forceand Coast Guard).

Other Requirements

• Possession of a Valid Class C California State Driver's License is required. Possession of a valid equivalent is acceptable during the application process.
• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.
• Must be free of felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.
• Must be legally eligible for employment in the United States.
• A T-Score of 45 or higher on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) is required.
  • Results must be dated within 12 months prior to the application date and submitted with the application.
• Successful completion, within 12 months prior to the application submission, of either:
  • A California State P.O.S.T.-certified Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), or
  • A Physical Agility Test (PAT) that mirrors the WSTB and includes the same five events.

Department Testing Opportunities

The Fairfield Police Department periodically offers the PELLETB and a Physical Agility Test that mirrors the POST Work Sample Test Battery.

• Next Testing Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026

WSTB/Physical Agility Test Waiver

If you have successfully passed a California P.O.S.T.-certified Police Academy Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) or a Physical Agility Test that mirrors the WSTB and includes the same five events within the last 12 months:

• The requirement to take the Fairfield PD PAT will be waived.
• Proof of passing must be dated within 12 months prior to the application date.
• Proof must be attached to the application.
• Applicants who do not attach proof will be required to complete the examination before continuing in the hiring process.

A sample of responsibilities for this position are listed below. For the complete job description please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfield/classspecs

• Attend a basic POST certified academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including laws and training in police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness.
• Undergo training to develop an awareness of functions and responsibilities of Police Officers and how they relate to field operations.
• Learn laws of arrest and pertinent local and state laws and ordinances.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• The role and function of a law enforcement agency.
• Computers to research and write reports.
• Customer service.

Ability to

• Learn and utilize de-escalation techniques to resolve tense situations.
• Learn and understand police department rules, regulations, instructions, laws and policies.
• Learn to properly handle and safely discharge firearms.
• Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places, and judge situations and persons accurately.
• Learn to operate standard police equipment and vehicles.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Write accurate reports.
• Communicate effectively with people of diverse education, social and ethnic backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, physical agility test, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination. The position requires a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological assessment, and a medical examination prior to appointment.