Police Officer Trainee

Location

Petaluma, California, United States

Police Officer Trainee – a non‑sworn, full‑time City employee eligible for pay and benefits. Successful completion of the Santa Rosa Junior College Basic Intensive Police Academy (January 2027) and passing the POST Entry‑Level Law Enforcement Test Battery with a T‑Score of 42 or better are conditions of employment. Upon graduation, eligible Trainees may be sworn in as Police Officers and enter the Department’s Field Training Program.

Base salary: $ – $ annually (+2% COLA in July 2027)

• Special Pay:
• Uniform Pay: 1.5% of Step 5 salary
• POST Certificate Pay: 5% (Intermediate), 7% (Advanced or Supervisory)
• Bilingual Pay: up to $200 per month
• Field Training Officer, Traffic Officer, Detective, K‑9 Officer: 5% as assigned
• SWAT: 2.5% as assigned
• Shift Differential: 3% (swing), 5% (graveyard)
• Longevity Pay: 5% after 5 years, 10% after 8 years, 12.5% after 15 years
• Benefits:
• CalPERS retirement: 3% at 55 for classic members, 2.7% at 57 for new members; trainees enroll as miscellaneous members
• Health Program:
  City pays 95% of Bay Area Kaiser rate premiums
• Cash in lieu of medical/dental: 50% of premiums
• Dental/Vision/Life/LTD: 100% City‑pay
• Paid time off: 156 hours of holiday pay, 96 hours sick leave (unlimited accrual), 80–200 hours vacation (varies with tenure)
• Paid parental leave: up to 8 weeks
• $500 annual wellness reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (employer‑assisted)

To be considered, applicants must complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire, provide a valid California Driver License, and submit a letter verifying a POST T‑Score of 42 or higher taken within the last 12 months. The recruitment consists of three parts:

Selected candidates will undergo a background investigation, polygraph, physical agility test, Police Chief interview, pre‑employment medical, drug screen, and psychological evaluation.

• Ride with officers to observe duties and techniques; operate information equipment at officer or civilian direction.
• Assist in processing, packaging, labeling, storing, and destroying property and evidence; photocopy, file, index, and locate records.
• Clean and maintain police equipment and firearms.
• Perform errands, including transporting documents to court and district attorney offices.
• Issue bicycle licenses and assist in processing recovered stolen bicycles.
• Provide traffic direction and control for special events and other department tasks as assigned.
• Execute related duties as assigned.

• At least 21 years old at graduation from the Police Academy.
• High‑school completion or equivalent education.
• Valid California Driver License.

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands, and talk or hear. Frequently reach, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift or move weights up to 100 pounds. Requires close, distance, color, peripheral, depth vision and the ability to adjust focus. Exposed to outdoor conditions, fumes, airborne particles, and occasional vehicle use. Noise levels are usually moderate.

Closing Date/Time: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific