Police Officer Trainee

Overview

Under immediate supervision, attends a prescribed law enforcement academy training program for newly hired Police Officers.

• Participate in and complete the prescribed law enforcement officer training program, including report writing, laws of arrest, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival, and physical fitness.
• Perform a wide variety of police support duties such as dispatching and records, acting as desk officer, and assisting in planning and research activities.
• Learn policing techniques that preserve and improve quality of life—e.g., problem‑solving policing and intelligence‑led policing—and build positive relationships with the community.
• Establish, grow, and preserve positive relationships between the community and the Police Department.
• Emphasize community interaction and collaborative problem solving, building diverse community‑based partnerships.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during employment.
• Perform any other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
• Note that the position is always evolving; employer reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, stooping, grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. It also requires near, far, and color vision. The officer may be required to run in pursuit, subdue suspects, walk on uneven or slippery surfaces, climb ladders, work outdoors in all weather conditions, around loud noise, and moving vehicles.

The position may expose the officer to physical threats, verbal abuse, and stressful situations.

A combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge and abilities. The employee must be able to:

• Successfully complete a training program for entry‑level Police Officers.
• Successfully pass a police background investigation.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Use and care for firearms properly.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies; judge situations accurately.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences, implement recommendations, and remain free from bias.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively; determine proper course of action.
• Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
• Learn, understand, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate, grammatically correct written reports.
• Meet standards of physical stature, endurance, and agility.
• Meet the requirements for a Police Officer contained in the California State Government Code.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Meet California Government Code Section 1031 standards: legally authorized to work in the U.S., fingerprinted, good moral character, high school graduate or equivalent (GED or proficiency exam), or a higher degree. Must meet physical and mental fitness requirements and be free from bias.
• Maintain a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent.

• Pass drug screening, fingerprint screening, physical examination, and background investigation.
• If referred by a current Fontana Police Department employee, download and submit the Applicant Referral Form.

The City of Fontana has a flexible benefits plan that allows employees to select benefits based upon their individual needs. Full‑time and classified part‑time employees are eligible for benefits.
Please view our excellent employee benefit options.