Police Recruit - Academy Enrolled

City of Garden Grove; Garden Grove (CA); Presencial; USD 86.000 - 103.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The City of Garden Grove Police Department is seeking Police Recruits who are CURRENTLY ENROLLED in a POST-approved Basic Academy. After academy graduation, recruits may be hired as sworn officers based on performance, with an 18‑month probation and a starting salary of $8,440 per month plus full benefits.

Academy Recruits attend a POST‑approved Basic Academy to train in law enforcement techniques, procedures, and physical fitness.

Formación

• Must be CURRENTLY ENROLLED in a POST-approved Basic Academy.
• Graduation from high school or GED is required.
• 21 years of age by academy completion.
• Excellent physical condition and vision/hearing standards.
• Authorized to work in the United States and possess a valid California driver’s license.

Responsabilidades

• Attend POST-approved Basic Academy training and hands-on law enforcement practice.
• Learn applicable laws, procedures, and safety protocols.
• Develop fitness, discipline and professional skills required for policing.
• Support readiness for potential appointment as a sworn officer.

Conocimientos

Attention to detail

Oral & written comms

Customer service

Teamwork

Bilingual skills

Educación

High school diploma or GED

Descripción del empleo

POLICE RECRUIT - ACADEMY ENROLLED

Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Monday, November 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

This position is intended for applicants who are CURRENTLY ENROLLED in a POST-approved Basic Academy.

The Police Department consists of 182 sworn staff including a chief, three (3) captains, seven (7) lieutenants, 23 sergeants and 148 police officers, in addition to civilian personnel. After sufficient experience in the department, specialization is available in Patrol, Investigations, Juvenile Services, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Vice-Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Suppression Unit, Community Impact Unit, or Canine Handler. An outstanding in-service training program provides officers with extensive, continuous instruction in basic and specialized police techniques. Patrol officers work a modified 3/12.5 work schedule.

Following academy graduation, Academy Enrolled Police Recruits may be hired as a sworn police officer based on overall academy performance, evaluations, referrals and availability of positions. The Recruit's performance will be subject to review by City staff prior to appointment as a regular police officer. All new police officers serve an 18-month probationary period. Compensation for police officers starts at $8,440 per month, with full benefits, additional compensation for certified bilingual skills, and great educational incentives.

DUTIES WHILE IN THE POLICE ACADEMY:

Police Recruits attend a California POST-approved Basic Police Academy to participate in a strict and intensive training program, including: memorization and hands‑on practice of law enforcement techniques, specific laws and procedures; rigorous physical training; daily homework; first aid training; uniform, equipment and weapons handling techniques; and other duties as assigned.

These are all designed to provide an in-depth overview of the criminal justice system and what is necessary to be a successful and well‑prepared police officer.

EDUCATION:

Applicants must be CURRENTLY ENROLLED in a California POST-approved Basic Academy. Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam.

AGE:

Applicants must be 21 years of age upon completion of academy training in order to be appointed to a position of sworn police officer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be in excellent physical condition, and able to perform all tasks required of a Garden Grove police officer. Vision: Bilateral vision must be at least 20/100 correctable to 20/30 with no evidence of color blindness. Hearing: Hearing aids are not acceptable. Applicants with an average hearing loss of 26 dB in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, or more, in their better ear; and 46 dB in the 3000 c.p.s. range in the other ear are disqualified. (ANSI standard).

WORK AUTHORIZATION:

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States under federal law.

CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE & DRIVING RECORD:

Applicants must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license and an acceptable driving record prior to and throughout employment. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions.

ADDITIONAL ABILITIES & SKILLS:

Applicants must demonstrate that they possess: the ability to pay close attention to detail; the ability to understand and accurately apply oral and written instructions, laws, orders, policies and procedures; effective oral communication, record keeping and report writing skills; strong customer service skills; and the ability to work closely, cooperatively and effectively with City staff members, Garden Grove's diverse citizens and various representatives of other agencies.

BILINGUAL SKILLS:

Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL ONLY.

Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. APPLICATION SCREENING
2. WRITTEN EXAMINATION Test scores must be received by the deadline of Monday, November 30, 2026 from one of the two test options below. Failure to complete one of the options below may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. Candidates may submit existing test scores that were taken within the prior year but still valid on November 30, 2026. Test scores must meet the minimum passing score(s) to be accepted.
   • National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam
     • Passing score: 61.5 on Human Relations, 65 on Reading, and 65 on Writing
     • This exam is administered directly by the NTN and candidates pay a test fee for the service. Please visit the NTN website for more information on testing locations and pricing.
     • To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here. Select the Garden Grove Police Department and the specific position you are applying to. NTN will submit your scores to Garden Grove Human Resources for review. Candidates should plan accordingly to allow adequate time for exam scoring and delivery by the deadline.
   • P.O.S.T. Entry‑Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)
     • Passing score: Total T-Score - 42 or higher
     • Garden Grove Human Resources does not have any PELLETB test dates scheduled. However, if you have taken the PELLETB test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.
     • PELLETB score may be attached to your online application or emailed to [e-mail].
3. PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST tentatively scheduled for December 5, 2026.
4. PANEL INTERVIEW tentatively scheduled for December 9, 2026.
5. THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
6. COMPUTER VOICE STRESS ANALYSIS (CVSA) EXAMINATION
7. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
8. PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION (which includes a back x‑ray, treadmill stress test, and drug and alcohol screening)

Exam dates are tentative and subject to change.

The selection process takes approximately 180 days from initial application to final selection depending on the duration of each step during the selection process. Some of the steps may take longer than anticipated due to availability and scheduling.

Applicants who fail any part of the selection process will not be considered for the position.

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail] at least one week prior to any test dates.

RE-APPLICATION

• Physical Agility Test: May apply as often as given.
• POST Written Test (PELLETB): May apply as often as given, but applicants must wait 30 calendar days before retaking a POST exam per POST policy.
• National Testing Network (NTN): May apply as often as given, but applicants are subject to NTN's retesting policies.
• Panel Interview: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
• Background Investigation (including CVSA exam): Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
• Psychological Evaluation: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.

WHO TO CONTACT

For further questions, please contact Corporal Benjamin Elizondo at [e-mail] or Human Resources Analyst Lydia Tran at [e-mail].

NEPOTISM POLICY

The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy. Please refer to Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non‑disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

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