Police Officer Trainee (entry level)

San Mateo Police Department; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Referral bonus

Job summary

The San Mateo Police Department is actively recruiting a Police Officer Trainee for a continuous recruitment. This civilian role is the pathway to becoming a sworn officer after academy completion, with benefits aligned to civilian employees during training.

Minimum qualifications include an Associate’s degree, possession of a valid California driver’s license, and eligibility to work in the United States. A $1,500 signing bonus is offered after probation success.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of an Associate's degree from an accredited college.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
• POST or NTN exam with required score and WSTB pass; preferred percentile/score.

Responsibilities

• No sworn duties while in trainee status; path to sworn officer upon academy completion.
• Support department operations as a civilian employee during training.

Education

Associate's degree

Driver's License

POST/NTN exam requirement

Job description

Police Officer Trainee

San Mateo

Location

200 Franklin Parkway San Mateo, 94403

Employment Details

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Close Date: Continuous or until 1000 applicants
• Salary: $9,989.57-$9,989.57 Monthly

About San Mateo

San Mateo is a city of more than 100,000 residents located in San Mateo County, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula. One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community. San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.

You would be joining over 500 people whose mission it is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit. We are looking for someone who embodies our shared values of respect, creativity, inclusivity, transparency, and integrity in their words and actions.

Position Overview

The San Mateo Police Department is accepting applications for Police Officer Trainee. This is a Continuous Recruitment.

Experience

• None required

Education

• Equivalent to completion of an Associate's degree from an accredited college

License and Certificates

• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid California Driver’s License.
• Possession of a POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) written examination certificate with a preferred T-Score of 52 or above and a passing score for the WSTB physical agility examination. Or possession of a National Testing Network Law Enforcement written examination certificate with a preferred score in the 90th percentile and a passing score for the WSTB physical agility examination.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Free of any felony convictions.
• Effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. There are no specific citizenship requirements per Senate Bill 2. California Government Code Section 1031(h) limits employment authorization documents to those consistent with Section 274a.2 of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Specific documentation requirements can be found on the I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification form issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Government Code section 1031(g) permits departments to adopt additional and/or higher standards.
• Age not less than 21-years-old at time of appointment to the rank of police officer.
• Vision in each eye, correctable to at least 20/30.
• Must pass a background investigation.
• Must meet all Department medical, physical and psychological standards.

The Position

This is a non-sworn classification structured for incumbents hired for the purpose of becoming a sworn police officer. Police Officer Trainees are hired into this civilian position for the period prior and during the time they are assigned to a POST-certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Upon successful completion of training at the academy and upon the availability of a Police Officer position, Police Officer Trainees are sworn in and appointed to the classification of Police Officer. Police Officer Trainee benefits are limited to those of a civilian employee.

The Department

Consists of a diverse and outstanding group of men and women who have dedicated themselves to public service. Our staff, which consists of 113 sworn police officers and 40 civilian positions, is devoted to protecting and serving the citizens of San Mateo professionally, while providing outstanding customer service.

Job Description URL

https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/documentcenter/view/69718

Job PDF

JA Police Officer Trainee -April 2023.pdf

Job Video Link URL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g

Benefits

For information about the benefits, please click on this link to view the MOU and benefits: MOUs and Compensation Resolutions | San Mateo, CA - Official Website (cityofsanmateo.org)

• Police Officers hired from this recruitment will receive a signing bonus of $1,500.00 upon successful completion of probation. If an eligible Merit City employee refers a candidate who is subsequently hired from this recruitment, he/she shall receive a $1,500.00 referral award in accordance with the City’s Targeted Recruitment Program Policy. The candidate must note the referring employee’s name on the City’s official employment application at the time of submission.

Special Instructions

The Examination Process: Based upon a review of the applications, applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be placed on the employment list. The employment list is updated continuously as applicants become eligible. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. Your eligibility will remain in effect for at least one year from the date that you are notified of your status.

The Selection Process: Once placed on the Employment List, and at the time a vacancy needs to be filled, the San Mateo Police Department representative will contact candidates selected to move onto the next step in the hiring process.

Before a conditional employment offer is made, candidates must take a polygraph examination. If successful, a conditional employment offer is made and candidates are then required to successfully pass a psychological, medical examination including a stress agility assessment, a drug screen, personal interviews, background investigation, fingerprinting, and must be able to furnish proof of legal right to work in the United States. The process will end with the Police Chief’s interview. The City’s standards must be met before the final appointment is made. The Chief of Police or their designee will