Police Cadet; Part-time

Overview

The Tustin Police Department is committed to serving the community in meaningful ways and enjoys a reputation for professional excellence. The Department strives to maintain the highest standard of professional ethics and personal integrity and remains dedicated to achieving excellence in performance throughout the organization and in the community. One of the many ways they do so is through the quality of the Department’s personnel.

It continues to be the Department’s mission to have employees who are ethical, dedicated and loyal to the department and the profession.

The department is looking to hire ambitious individuals who are eager to learn more about the various aspects of the law enforcement profession as part of an exciting and fulfilling apprenticeship program. The Police Cadet apprenticeship program is specifically designed to introduce young individuals to law enforcement and help them prepare for a future career as a Police Officer or another related position.

A Police Cadet assists full‑time personnel with a variety of assignments throughout the Police Department including, but not limited to, Front Desk, Professional Standards, Communications, Investigations, Traffic, Property, Records, Crime Scene Investigation and Fleet Maintenance. Incumbents assume greater responsibilities and work with increasing independence as knowledge and experience are gained.

Age and Education Requirements

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 22 at the time of hire.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited two‑year or four‑year college or university within six (6) months of appointment.
• Must enroll in a minimum of six (6) semester units (or equivalent) and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to remain employed as a Police Cadet.
• May continue to be employed for up to 12 months after graduation from college.

Given that this is a part‑time, at‑will, non‑benefitted position, hours will be limited to less than 1,000 hours per fiscal year. Hours worked may vary significantly from week to week.

Candidates who successfully complete all components of the selection process will be placed on an employment eligibility list from which hires may be made. The eligible list is valid for one (1) year. The duration of the selection process typically lasts 9–12 months.

Applicants must submit documentation verifying that they meet the age requirement for the position (e.g., driver’s license, government‑issued photo identification or birth certificate).

Important: A comprehensive background investigation and polygraph will be conducted on any eligible persons considered for hire. Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may be grounds for disqualification. A pre‑employment medical examination and a drug screen will be conducted upon a conditional offer of employment.

Recruitment is conducted on a continuous basis to meet the needs of the City as vacancies occur and may close at any time.

As a part‑time Police Cadet, incumbents will perform a wide variety of duties including, but not limited to:

• Learn, understand and apply applicable laws, ordinances, policies and procedures.
• Provide technical assistance to the public at the front desk and over the telephone; evaluate and process disturbance calls, complaints and requests for police services; gather information, record complaints and prepare routine crime reports; direct callers to other departmental personnel or other agencies as appropriate.
• Prepare and process a variety of reports, forms, citations, applications and permits; type, compile and tabulate basic statistical and financial data; track the status of cases and warrants; maintain related files and records.
• Prepare and issue parking citations to vehicles parked illegally; arrange for the towing and storage or impound of abandoned vehicles or vehicles in violation of other related laws and ordinances.
• Direct and control traffic during special events and peak…