Police Officer Trainee

City of La Mesa; La Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of La Mesa is looking for a Police Officer Trainee who will progress to Police Officer after completing a P.O.S.T.-certified academy. The role includes rigorous screening, testing, and a comprehensive background process.

Hires attend the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute and enroll in CalPERS as miscellaneous, non-safety members. This is a structured path to sworn duties upon graduation and oath.

Qualifications

• Must be 20 1/2 years of age at time of application.
• Must possess a valid driver?s license.
• Requires eligibility to work in the United States and pursue P.O.S.T. certification.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas to preserve law and order and enforce traffic laws.
• Respond to calls for public safety, accidents, and incidents; provide aid as needed.
• Prepare reports and participate in investigations and community programs.
• Complete background checks and support the recruitment process per city policy.

Skills

Legal eligibility to work in the US

Valid driver\'s license

Basic investigative aptitude

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Two-year or four-year college degree

Job description

City of La Mesa - The Jewel of the Hills Announces An Exceptional Career Opportunity POLICE OFFICER

The La Mesa Police Department maintains the highest commitment to the community through service, honor, integrity and professionalism. There are numerous assignments within the department which include patrol, field training officer, investigations, motor officer, school resource officer, special investigations unit, street team, honor guard and the Special Response Team.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Police Officer Trainee is the entry-level position to a career in municipal law enforcement. After successfully completing the Police Academy, the Police Officer Trainee will advance to the classification of Police Officer. Upon hire, Trainees shall attend the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute and complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified academy. Trainees will receive miscellaneous, non-safety member benefits and shall be enrolled in CalPERS as miscellaneous, non-safety members. Trainees shall progress to Police Officer upon:

• Graduation from the police academy, or upon assignment to a field training program after completion of a portion of the academy meeting the requirements of Penal Code Section 832, and
• Subscribing to the oath or affirmation required by the California Constitution and administered by a duly empowered official of the City of La Mesa.

As a Police Officer, performs a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces State and local traffic regulations; participates in and conduct a variety of criminal investigations; provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement programs; and performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities.

The Hiring Process

Step 1.

Application submitted through the City website during an open recruitment.

Step 2. Screening.

The screening is performed by Human Resources to determine that you are not automatically disqualified based upon some of your application answers. Refer to the La Mesa Police Department Background Investigation Automatic Disqualifying Factors.

Step 3. Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T). Written Test*.

This is a test written and created by P.O.S.T. The written test consists of multiple-choice questions that measure general aptitudes needed to be a Police Officer. No prior law enforcement knowledge is necessary to pass the test.

*P.O.S.T. Written Test may be waived if applicant meets certain criteria. See “Examination Process” in this job announcement for more information.

Step 4. Physical Abilities Test (PAT).

The Work Sample Test Battery consists of the five elements listed below:

• OBSTACLE COURSE/AGILITY RUN-Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch high obstacle that must be vaulted
• BODY DRAG-Lift and drag 165 pound lifelike dummy 32 feet
• CHAIN LINK FENCE-Run 5 yards to a 6-foot chain link fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards
• SOLID FENCE CLIMB-Run 5 yards to a 6-foot solid fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards
• 500 YARD RUN-Run 500 yards

At the time of the test, a test monitor will describe the test more fully and answer any questions you might have. This is a physically strenuous test designed to simulate the actual physical demands placed on police officers. If you are not in top physical condition, it is advised that you begin NOW to improve areas where you may need work.

Step 5. Panel Interview and Pre-Background Interview.

Candidates that pass the written test and PAT will be scheduled for an interview with staff members from the La Mesa Police Department. Your qualifications, communication skills, and many other job-related factors will be evaluated relating to your suitability and fitness to begin a police career with the La Mesa Police Department. Following the interview you will sit down with a Background Detective and complete a Pre-Background Interview.

Step 6. Background Investigation.

The Police Department will conduct a thorough investigation of your background. You will be requested to authorize organizations and individuals who know you, to release and verify relevant information about you. The Background Detective will contact prior employers, relatives, and references. Information provided during these contacts may result in other individuals being contacted. The detective will check into your employment history, credit status, driving record, and other pertinent information. A criminal history check will also be made. You will be scheduled for an in-depth background interview with the Background Detective. During this appointment, you will be fingerprinted and photographed. The entire investigation can be lengthy (expect anywhere from two to eight months). Start collecting your personal, employee and residence reference information now to include names, home and work addresses, home and work telephone numbers, and personal email addresses. The more you do now the less stress it will cause you later. Also, locate or request documents you will need in the background process to include your high school and/or college diploma, birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license, DD-214 if prior military, selective service information, marriage license and dissolution of marriage and any high school and/or college transcripts. View La Mesa Police Department’s background disqualifying factors.

Step 7. Polygraph.

As part of the background process, the Background Detective will schedule you for a polygraph examination. You will be tested in different background areas. In addition, you will be asked to determine if you were honest with the background detective, truthful on your application, undetected criminal involvement, traffic history, illicit drug use, illegal gambling habits, and any other pertinent information discovered or revealed during the background investigation, including employment and military history.

Step 8. Command Staff Interview.

Candidates that pass the background and polygraph will be scheduled for an interview with one or more of the Command Staff Members from the La Mesa Police Department. Your qualifications, communication skills, and many other job-related factors will be evaluated relating to your suitability and fitness to begin a career with the La Mesa Police Department.

Step 9. Chief’s Interview and Conditional Offer of Employment.

You will sit down with the La Mesa Chief of Police and have a one on one interview. You will receive a conditional job offer from the Chief contingent upon passing the Medical and Psychological examination.

Step 10. Psychological Examination.

Candidates will meet with a professional psychologist for an evaluation of your fitness and suitability for police work with the La Mesa Police Department. All candidates must be found to be free from any emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer and be free from job-relevant psychopathology, including personality disorders and/or abnormal behavior. This evaluation will include written tests and a clinical interview.

Step 11. Pre-Placement Medical Examination.

Every peace officer candidate shall be evaluated by a licensed physician to determine if the candidate is free from any physical medical condition that might adversely affect the ability to exercise the peace officer powers. Prior to appointment as a peace officer, the candidate must be determined to be medically suitable.

Step 12. Final Job Offer.

You will receive a final job offer after passing the Medical and Psychological Examinations.

Step 13. Swearing-In.

You will be sworn in by the Chief of Police at the La Mesa Police Department.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Patrol designated areas of the City in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; maintain awareness of and remain alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issue warnings and citations.
• Respond to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, animal control, and related incidents; respond to and provide assistance at a variety of public service type calls that are non-criminal in nature.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the City for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.
• Perform a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attend meetings; prepare and submit news releases; maintain and calibrate specialized equipment including preliminary alcohol screening devices.
• Prepare a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepare investigative reports and case information.
• Perform related duties as required.

Education/Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

General

• Must be 20-1/2 years of age at time of application submission.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Education/Training

• Requires high school graduation, passage of the General Education Development Test (GED) or attainment of a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Some work experience that demonstrates a general aptitude for police work.

License or Certificate

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain upon completion of the Police Academy, a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate, and maintain the certification throughout employment in compliance with Senate Bill 2 (SB 2).

Application materials will be reviewed for minimum qualifications and eligible candidates will be sent an email notification inviting them to sign up for the next step in the recruitment process.

The recruitment process includes:

• Physical Abilities Test (PAT)
• Appraisal Interviews
• P.O.S.T. Written Test (PELLETB)

(applicants who meet the education-in-lieu requirements may be invited to the PAT/interview at an earlier date)

First Consideration of Applications:

Candidates that apply by November 3, 2026 will be considered for the following test dates:

• Physical Abilities Test (PAT) - Saturday, November 14, 2026*
• Appraisal Interviews - Thursday, November 19, 2026*

*Please note interview and assessment dates are subject to change.

Second Consideration of Applications:

Candidates that apply from November 4 through December 31, 2026 will be considered for the January, 2027 test dates:

• Physical Abilities Test (PAT) - Date TBD
• Appraisal Interviews - Date TBD

The P.O.S.T. written test (PELLETB) is a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank written examination designed to measure reading and writing ability. Additional information regarding the PELLETB examination, including Application Preparation Guide can be found on the P.O.S.T. website at www.post.ca.gov.

P.O.S.T. WRITTEN TEST EXEMPTIONS

I. Other Agency P.O.S.T. Test Results

• Other agency P.O.S.T. Test must have been taken within 1 year from submission of your application.
• Written exam test must be a P.O.S.T. PELLETB exam. No other type of exam will be accepted.
• At time of application, applicant must provide the City of La Mesa Human Resources Department a copy of their T-Score with a score of 42.0 or higher, on agency letterhead indicating the date the test was taken, the score received for Reading, Writing and a Total T-Score.

II. Education-in-Lieu of P.O.S.T. Written Test:

If you possess an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America), you may waive taking the City of La Mesa P.O.S.T. Written Test. A copy of your degree or transcripts confirming your degree, or foreign equivalency certificate issued by an accredited association, must be attached to your application.

Please contact Human Resources at [phone] if you are currently scheduled to take the P.O.S.T. PELLETB written exam with another agency. P.O.S.T only allows candidates to take the PELLETB once every 30 days.

NOTE: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a thorough background investigation (includes polygraph examination). A pre-employment medical evaluation and psychological evaluation are also required.