Police Trainee

City of Palm Springs; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palm Springs is seeking an entry‑level Police Trainee to enter a comprehensive POST certified academy and training program. The role prepares successful candidates for placement as sworn Police Officers upon graduation.

Selected individuals participate in full‑time academy training for up to six months, then transition to patrol and investigative duties while continuing professional development and safeguarding the community.

Qualifications

• Entry level position; no prior experience required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Valid California Driver License and POST Basic Certificate within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Participate in prescribed law enforcement training program and maintain fitness.
• Assist in patrol, reports, and basic police duties as trainee.
• Upon graduation, assist in enforcing laws and supporting investigations.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

California Driver License

POST Basic Certificate (within 6 months)

CPR Certificate

Job description

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are made at the range minimum.

THE CITY:

Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign of 100%, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.

THE POSITION:

The Police Trainee is an entry-level, non-sworn training position. Police Trainees undergo a formal and comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Certified Basic Academy training program sponsored by the City of Palm Springs. Upon completion of training and graduation from the Academy with an acceptable standing, a candidate is eligible for placement as a sworn Police Officer with the City of Palm Springs.

A qualified candidate for Police Trainee must be prepared and available to attend a full-time Basic Academy for a period of up to six (6) months.

The Police Academy provides training in basic criminal investigation processes and techniques; preparation of various reports; analysis of situations to make appropriate decisions under stressful situations; testify and present evidence in court, and practices and theory in criminal and civil law enforcement.

Upon placement as a sworn Police Officer with the City of Palm Springs, this position provides services in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces State and local traffic regulations; and performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

WRITTEN TEST WAIVER:

Request a waiver on your application by responding to the applicable supplemental questions and submitting the applicable documentation if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• Have passed the National Testing Network (NTN) for the Frontline National Law Enforcement test within one (1) year of date of application.
• You were previously hired by the City of Palm Springs as a Police Officer (Recruit Level) within two (2) years of date of application.
• Have taken the California P.O.S.T. Pellet-B exam within two (2) years of date of application and acquired T-scores of 46 in all areas (reading, writing, and overall).
• Possess a bachelor's or graduate degree 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).

The selected waiver documentation MUST be submitted with the application. Applications without waiver documentation will be deemed an "Incomplete Application". If your waiver request is approved, your application will bypass the written test selection process and be moved to the physical agility test selection process. You will be notified of the physical agility test date.

NOTE: If you submit waiver documentation and your waiver request is not approved you will be notified of your eligibility for the written test based on further review of your application and responses to the supplemental questions.

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

Police Trainee - While enrolled in the Police Academy.

• Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer, including training in report writing, laws of arrest and seizure, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival, and physical fitness.
• Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program.
• Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct.

Sworn Police Officer - Following graduation from the Academy and upon appointment to the position.

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order and discover and prevent the commission of crimes; enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Respond to general public service and crime victim calls, traffic hazards, stray animal reports, and related misdemeanors and felony incidents.
• Plan, execute, write and serve search warrants; search suspects, vehicles, residences, and buildings for evidence, contraband, and lost or missing people.
• Serve arrest warrants; make arrests for crimes committed under penal and institute codes; perform booking procedures for new prisoners; contact and interview witnesses to gain additional information.
• Process and store evidence and property found at various crime scenes; maintain records and enter data into computer as necessary.
• Investigate organized crime and gang activities, subjects, groups, and representatives relative to assigned area of responsibility; collect intelligence information and produce cases and reports for presentation to the District Attorney.
• Review and investigate reports relating to vehicle theft and accidents.
• Conduct a variety of investigations relative to assigned areas of responsibility including narcotics, property, and persons; gather information from witnesses and informants; interview suspects; prepare reports and follow up on investigations.
• Testify in juvenile and civil courts and DMV hearings; prepare and process court reports.
• Maintain and operate specialized police surveillance equipment including transmitters, radios, and cameras.
• Develop, conduct, and participate in training exercises and classes; respond to and resolve questions and concerns; stay abreast of current crime trends and innovative policing techniques; implement new information into training programs as appropriate.
• Perform unique duties of assigned area of responsibility including SWAT, K-9, bicycle, and mounted police units.
• Assist other investigators and police divisions in related investigative activities.
• May serve in a lead capacity in the absence of immediate supervisor.
• Provide news releases to the media; conduct television interviews for public awareness.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. Qualifications noted as "desirable" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience:

This is an entry level position and no previous experience is required to apply for this position.

Training:

High School Diploma or equivalent education is required.

License or Certificates:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five years) is required.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate within six (6) months of appointment is required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate, valid C.P.R. Certificate is required.

Additional Special Requirements:

• Cannot be related to any other employee in the Police Department.
• Must be 21 years of age or greater.
• Incumbents are enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.
• Must plan to reside within one (1) hour driving distance from the Palm Springs Police Department upon employment.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation including a criminal history check for job related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph screening, credit check, psychological screening, and a physical and drug screen.
• Must be preparedand available to attend a full-time Basic Academy.

Working Conditions:

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an emergency police services environment; travels from site to site and has exposure to potentially hostile environments and may be required to maintain physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, running, standing, sitting, walking or driving for prolonged periods and have the ability to discharge a firearm.

A completed application, resume, cover letter, and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process.

Selection Process Information:

Applicants successful in passing minimum qualifications will be invited, via email, to submit written examination scores through National Testing Network (NTN) for the Frontline National Law Enforcement Test. Please do not submit written examination scores prior to receiving an email invitation. Visit the NTN website HERE to view testing information and to take practice examinations.

Upon completion of the entry level exam, all applicant scores are forwarded to the City of Palm Springs Department of Human Resources. An applicant must receive a minimum score of 70% in each of the examination components in order to continue in the selection process.

• October 21, 2026
• November 18, 2026
• December 16, 2026

Future Physical Agility Exam and Oral Panel Exam dates will be communicated to all candidates who successfully pass the Written Exam stage as soon as they are scheduled.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on December 31, 2026, in order to be considered for this opportunity.

The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
http://www.palmspringsca.gov/

760-323-8215