Police ; Entry Level

Position: Police Recruit (Entry Level)
The Salinas Police Department is currently recruiting for the position of Police Recruit. If you are looking at starting a career in law enforcement and would like to be a part of a hardworking team that is at the lead of law enforcement, we encourage you to apply. The department trains and develops its employees to their highest potential as well as provide for organizational mobility.

The Salinas Police Department exists to serve the community and operates under the philosophy of Community-Oriented Policing.  

Special Instructions:
Copies of the following documents must be submitted at time of application. Results must be from the last 12 months from time of application. Any application missing these documents will be considered incomplete.

* POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) with minimum T-Score of 48. The department will accept PELLETB results from other agencies.

or

* National Testing Network (NTN) results with the following minimum scores: 65% video, 70% writing, and 70% reading. Results must be submitted directly from NTN to the Salinas Police Departments for them to be considered valid. A screenshot of results should be uploaded to your application.  

* Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB)- Applicants who have taken the WSTB through South Bay Regional within the last year, should upload a copy of their results. Applicants missing the WSTB may still apply but will need to provide proof of a passing score before the department begins a background investigation. The Salinas Police Department will not accept results from other agencies or academies.

All results need to come from South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium.

If you have not taken the above exam and would like to find out more about them or register for them, please visit  There is a fee for the exams that applicants are responsible for paying.

Note:

Sworn positions within the Salinas Police Department require an extensive P.O.S.T. background investigation to include a polygraph examination. Applicants must also pass a post-offer psychological evaluation and P.O.S.T. medical examination, which includes a drug test.  Employment offers are contingent upon passing these requirements.

Summary of Duties:
Under direction, utilizes specialized training and equipment to protect life and property by enforcing laws and preventing crimes.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is the entry journey level classification in the City's sworn police officer series.
Police recruits are entry-level positions with little or no related training or experience required.
Recruits must complete a State certified Police Academy prior to appointment to probationary status as a police officer.  

Supervision Received and Exercised:
Receives direction from a sworn police supervisor.

* Successfully complete all required courses to receive a P.O.S.T. certificate

Knowledge of:

* City, State and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and court decisions as pertinent to assigned duties

* Police department policies, practices, regulations, and procedures

* Law enforcement and crime prevention principles, practices, and techniques

* Human behavioral theories, principles, methods, and practices

Skills to:

* Read and interpret complex technical documents, such as laws, ordinances and court decisions.

* Communicate verbally in a clear and concise manner.

* Write clear and comprehensive reports.

Ability to:

* Properly handle individuals exhibiting problem behavior, and situations presenting disorder and/or danger to self or others

* Carry out orders from supervisors and other senior officers

* Work effectively with a variety of co-workers and members of the public from a cross-section of educational and socio-cultural backgrounds

* Demonstrate physical ability and stamina appropriate to perform the duties of the position

Education:

An example of the education and experience which most likely demonstrates the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the duties would be any combination equivalent to completion of the 12th grade or GED

Licenses and

Certifications:

A valid State of California Driver's License.

Physical Demands and

Working Conditions:

Essential duties…