Police Officer Trainee; Entry Level

One Team, One Mission, One Family

The City of Bell Gardens Police Department (BGPD) is seeking highly motivated and public service-oriented individuals for Police Officer Trainee (Entry Level).

The City of Bell Gardens Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of service to the community, while working with the residents and its members, demonstrating professionalism, integrity and accountability.

The Bell Gardens Police Department has a variety of exciting assignments including:

• Patrol
• K-9
• Bicycle Detail
• Motor Detail
• Special Operations Team
• General Investigations Detective
• Special Investigations Detective
• Field Training Officer

This recruitment is for entry-level candidates interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Work involves full-time attendance at a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic police academy to prepare for the responsibilities of a police officer. Academy attendees will be hired on as Police Officer Trainee and paid $3,617.00 per month. After meeting all department, state-mandated and academy requirements, including graduation from the Police Academy, the Police Trainee will be sworn in as a Police Officer and assume the full duties, starting salary ($7,529 per month) and benefits of that position.

While enrolled in the Police Basic Academy an incumbent must:

• Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer.
• Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program
• Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct

Following graduation from the Academy and upon appointment to the position, essential duties include:

• Patrols in a vehicle or on foot, an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answers calls for police services; enforces City, county and state laws; makes field contacts and completes forms; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents.
• Makes arrests as necessary; serves warrants and subpoenas; interviews victims, complaints, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; receives, searches and books prisoners; fingerprints and transports prisoners; testifies and presents evidence in court.
• Contacts and cooperates with the other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders.
• Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment.
• Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary; checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants; investigates scenes of vehicle accidents; provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports; directs traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Assists the public and answers questions; administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance; establishes and maintains good relationships with the general public.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
1) Patrol and Traffic Safety;
2) Investigation;
3) School Resources;
4) Neighborhood Watch Officer. Other functions may be assigned such as acting as a training officer for new Police Officers, serving as field supervisor on individual calls requiring special attention, and conducting background investigations.

Knowledge of:
Modern practices and techniques of: law enforcement, patrol, investigation, public relations, report writing, vehicle penal codes, laws of arrest, rules of evidence, legal rights of citizens, and court procedures.

Skills to:
Prioritize and multi-task; write and perform analysis.

Ability to:
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; establish and maintain effective relationships with the community; use and care of firearms and small equipment; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately; represent the City in a variety of meetings; learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations;

prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner; understand, explain and apply policies and procedures; make clear and concise radio transmissions; understand and follow written directions; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; work independently and demonstrate initiative;…