Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainee – City of Santa Cruz

Join the Santa Cruz Police Department for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers, and the chance to make a positive impact in your community.

Your role will be to attend an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to develop the technical knowledge, skills, and physical capabilities required to perform police service; you will also perform related duties as required.

This position does not require prior law‑enforcement experience. Upon successful completion of the academy, trainees become sworn police officers.

Salary and benefits

• Monthly salary for trainees: $6,952.
• Monthly salary for sworn officers: $8,248.
• Hiring bonus up to $10,000, paid in installments during Field Training Officer program.
• Educational bonuses: $2,500 for a two‑year college degree; $5,000 for a four‑year college degree.
• Up to $500 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement.
• 5% bilingual pay differential for qualified multilingual officers.
• Employee referral incentives.

Qualifications and requirements

• High school graduation or tested equivalent.
• Age: at least 20.5 years old at time of testing; 21 years old at time of appointment.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Valid California Class C driver’s license.
• Ability to pass POST Physical Agility Test (WSTB) score of 384 or higher and a 1.5‑mile run in 15 minutes or less.
• Score of 46 or higher on the POST Entry‑Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB).
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Psychological suitability as determined by a California POST Commission exam.
• Comprehensive background investigation, polygraph, psychological, and medical examinations.
• Understanding of state and local laws, departmental policies, and related regulations.
• Ability to respond calmly in emergencies, observe and recall details, follow instructions, operate firearms safely, interview and interrogate, write reports, adapt to computer technology, establish effective relationships, and communicate verbally.
• Desirable:
  Bilingual Spanish, AA degree or 60 semester units of college study.

Application process

• Submit an online application, resumes not accepted.
• Attach POST PELLETB and WSTB results.
• Complete Personal History Statement (PHS) within 14 days of notification.
• Oral interview panel, background investigation and polygraph, interview with Chief of Police, psychological exam, medical exam.
• Candidate may request a ride‑along or office tour by contacting Santa Cruz Police Department recruiting team at (831) 420‑5801 or emailing HR.

Working conditions

• Physical requirements:
  
  sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crawl, lift 165 lb, meet vision and hearing guidelines, operate firearm, work in hazardous conditions.
• Exposure to noise, weather, chemicals, explosives, traffic, firearms, and bodily fluids.
• Travel to various locations and maintain a safe driving record.

Background and drug policy

• Candidates with known drug use (hallucinogens, marijuana, other illegal drugs in specified time frames) may be disqualified.
• Failure to disclose drug use during background investigation may result in disqualification.

Career ladder

• Police Chief → Police Deputy Chief → Police Lieutenant → Police Sergeant → Police Officer → Police Officer Trainee

Senior level and employment type

• Full‑time

This posting does not contain any company sponsorship for work visas.