Police Officer Trainee

City of Modesto; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive $5,000

Military hiring incentive $5,000

Sick/vacation front loading

Job summary

The City of Modesto is seeking a Police Officer Trainee to begin a career in law enforcement. The role involves patrolling communities, responding to calls, and supporting crime prevention efforts under supervision.

This entry-level position is designed for candidates enrolled in or who have completed a POST-certified Regular Basic Course. The City offers competitive benefits and opportunities for advancement within the Police Department.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of City, state and federal laws and departmental policies.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Must meet minimum age, eligibility to work in the U.S., and pass background checks.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas and engage with the community to identify solutions.
• Respond to dispatch and provide police services; administer first aid when needed.
• Perform problem-oriented policing and related duties; complete reports and evidence handling.
• Based on assignment, may investigate crimes, perform admin duties, conduct crime prevention, or training for others.

Job description

The Position

Have you finished the Police Academy and are looking to start your career as a Police Officer? Apply today?

The Police Officer Trainee is responsible to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local municipal codes, violations, and traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department.

This is the entry level class in the sworn Police Officer series. The classification is designed for candidates currently attending a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course academy or for those who will have successfully completed a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course academy (Intensive, Extended, or Modular formats) by time of appointment. This classification is distinguished from the Police Officer by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series since this class is typically used as work experience.

Hiring Incentives

$5,000 Hiring Incentive - For this position.

$5,000 Military Hiring Incentive - Is an additional hiring incentive for anyone who has served in any branch of the United States Military and received an Honorable or General Discharge as denoted on the DD214.

Sick/Vacation Front Loading - 20 hours of sick and 20 hours of vacation will be front loaded on date of hire.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications of the position will be invited to participated in a one way online interview. Interview links will be sent to qualifying candidates.

Proof of completion of Academy or proof of active enrollment in an academy must be attached to the application.

Those who successfully pass the interview will be placed on the eligible list.

Human Resources reserves the right to revise the selection process to best meet the needs of the City.

The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A city application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City does not sponsor H-1B Visas.

Essential and Marginal Function Statements

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions

Patrol assigned areas and interact with the community; work collaboratively with community residents to address problems and concerns with a focus on identifying solutions.

Receive calls through dispatch and respond to requests for police services; respond to medical aide requests and administer first aide as needed.

Perform problem-oriented policing functions and duties.

Carry out all aspects of police work in accordance with department training and policy including but not limited to:

• Interviewing/questioning individuals as required.
• Conducting lawful stops, pursuits, searches of persons or property, detentions, citations and arrests of persons.
• Securing crime and accident scenes.
• Collecting and preserving evidence.
• Responding to traffic accidents for investigation of cause, traffic control, hazard removal and conduct traffic accident analysis and general traffic surveys.
• Completing accurate, complete and timely reports and booking of evidence.
• Testifying and presenting evidence in court proceedings.

Based on assignment, it may be required to investigate crimes, perform administrative duties, conduct crime prevention, or conduct training for other personnel.

Marginal Functions

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of: City, state and federal laws, statutes, ordinances and court decisions; departmental policies; criminal investigations principles and practices; law enforcement crime prevention community and problem-oriented policing principles; interviewing and interrogation techniques; collection of evidence; and technology including various computer hardware, software applications and electronic applications.

Ability to: Work in a community-based oriented policing environment, communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing; exercise tact, self-restraint and good judgement; demonstrate collaborative problem solving abilities, de‑escalate tense and volatile situations; safely and appropriately use firearms and other weapons; enforce laws within established departmental guidelines, standards, policy, and law; and establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of employment.

Experience And Training Guidelines

Experience

None required.

Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Must be currently enrolled or attending a POST-certified Regular Basic Course (basic academy) or have successfully completed/graduated from a POST-certified Regular Basic Course. (Intensive, Extended or Modular formats).

Must possess or be eligible to possess a Proof of Eligibility (POE) certificate which is a certification that confirms an individual is eligible to be a peace officer in the State of California or a Basic certificate from California Peace Officer Standards and Training under Senate Bill 2 (SB2).

Certificate of completion of a POST-certified Regular Basic Course is required by the time of appointment. Certificate must be dated within three (3) years unless candidate has qualifying service, such as a Basic Course Waiver, as defined in the POST Administrative Manual, Regulation 1008(b), within the past three (3) years.

A minimum of 15 units of college coursework from an accredited college or university is desirable.

License Or Certificate

Must be in possession of a valid California driver’s license by date of appointment.

Additional Requirements

Must be a minimum of 20 years of age at date of application.

Must meet the physical requirements of the job established by the department.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law

Physical and Mental Requirements

Mobility: pulling and pushing objects, sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, twisting, turning, stooping, squatting, and climbing. Lifting: Ability to perform tasks requiring strength and stamina, such as medium heavy lifting and moving equipment and objects weighing 75 pounds and continuously wearing a duty belt weight and other police equipment. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading of work papers, reports and special projects; color and depth vision; ability to identify suspects and interpret and apply the law to field situations; observation skills while conducting surveillance. Dexterity: perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation to use a computer and operate a motor vehicle. Hearing/Talking: verbal communication including projecting a voice that can be heard in a noisy environment, hearing and distinguishing various sounds; explain the law to the public. Emotional/Psychological: frequent concentration and decision making, frequent public and coworker contact, ability to maintain high level cognitive, observation and memory skills. Environmental: Must be willing to work in office and field environment, including life threatening emergencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an office and field environment and requires travel from site to site. Overtime and shift work is required.

Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 3% @ 55 or the 2.7% @ 57 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution plus an additional 3% Cost-Share. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4‑1‑86).

HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of holiday credit. (For employees on a 4/11 work schedule, a total of 91 hours of holiday credit are allocated separately, in lieu of holidays.)

VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of two weeks per year, with incremental increases to five weeks at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to two times their annual accrual.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees can accumulate up to 2,200 hours.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows: $ 2,110.00 Employee + Family $ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent $ 748.00 Employee Only $ 450.00 Opt Out The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.

LIFE INSURANCE: Coverage in the amount of $10,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.

LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is sponsored through PORAC, at employee cost, reimbursed by the City. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of their monthly salary (to a maximum of $7,500 in monthly salary) not to exceed $5,000 payable per month when totally disabled.

PHYSICAL EXAM: A comprehensive exam is provided once per year, at City's expense.

SPECIAL PAY(S): Employees who possess an Intermediate POST Certificate shall be eligible for five (5%) percent certification and ten percent (10%) certification pay who possess an Advanced POST Certificate. The maximum POST certificate pay shall be ten percent (10%).

MASTER POLICE OFFICER: Employees eligible for Master Police Officer will be eligible for two and a half percent (2.5%) at six (6) years, five percent (5) at eleven (11), seven a half percent (7.5%) at sixteen (16) years, and ten (10%) at twenty-one (21) years.

BILINGUAL PAY: Employees who pass a review panel and are needed in this capacity by the department, will receive four percent (4%) Bilingual Pay.

COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT: Employees are eligible for two and a half percent (2.5%) for serving on a Collateral Assignment such as Canine, Critical Incident Team, SWAT, FTO Sergeant, Drug Recognition Expert, Air Support Pilot, and Tactical Flight Officer.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees may enroll on a voluntary basis.

RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $120 per month.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: Uniform allowance of $101.67 per Month.

LOAD BEARING VEST: Up to six hundred dollars ($600) for purchase of a load bearing vest not sooner than five years from the previous reimbursement.

CITY CAR: City car provided for some positions.

SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premiums, unreimbursed medical expenses, and dependent care costs.