Police Officer Trainee

Update: Effective the pay period that began on March 14, 2026, the salary for all classifications in the Police Officer Association increased by 4%. This job posting has been updated to reflect this increase.

Join the Santa Cruz Police Department team for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. Why SCPD? The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe.

Under direct supervision, the Police Officer Trainee attends an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities required to perform police service; performs related duties as required.

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Trainee candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Trainee level does not require previous law enforcement experience. Excellent benefits including hiring bonus, educational incentives and bilingual pay are just part of the package you will have access to. Trainees attend an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities. The salary for Police Officer Trainees is $7,231 per month. Upon successful completion of the academy, Trainees become sworn police officers. The starting salary for sworn Police Officers is $8,578 per month.

Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are over 90 sworn officers assigned to such areas as patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigation, and undercover task force assignments. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must complete and submit passing 1) POST PELLETB results with a score of 46 or higher AND 2) California POST physical agility certificate (WSTB) with a score of 384 or higher and completion of a 1.5 mile run in 15-minute maximum time.

What is a PELLETB?

PELLETB stands for “POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery”. This is a standardized written exam used by law enforcement agencies in California to assess the reading, writing, and reasoning abilities of candidates for peace officer positions and is recommended by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

What is a passing score? A T-score of 46.0 or higher is considered a passing score for the City of Santa Cruz.

How do I take the PELLETB? For exam dates and locations visit

Already taken and passed the PELLETB? If you have taken the exam in calendar years 2025 or 2026, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application.

How do I prepare? Check out

California POST physical agility test

Certificate (Also known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB): For WSTB exam, dates and locations please visit

If you have already taken the WSTB within calendar years 2025-2026 with a score of 384 or higher and the 1.5 mile run with a 15-minute max time, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official agency letter with your test results to your City application.

How to prepare? Check out Practice Agility Sessions:

For more information or questions: For additional general information on the POST PELLETB and WSTB exams, please visit: For more information about the position, contact the Santa Cruz Police Department recruiting team at View phone number on click.appcast.io. To schedule a ride-along with an officer or tour the Police Department, go to the Police Department webpage. For application questions, email the City of Santa Cruz Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Recruitment # 26-PD-04

CANDIDATE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Application screening will be conducted continuously: Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position plus the Pellet B T-score and WSTB score results.

• Request to submit Personal History Statement: Candidates with a fully completed application and meeting Minimum Qualifications and who attached passing POST T-score and WSTB scores will be directed to fill out the Sworn version of the Personal History Statement (PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification. This is a lengthy document; if you wish to work on this ahead of time, the form is available on the City website. See our agency's customized instructions on filling out and submitting a PHS. You must wait until requested to submit a Personal History Statement, but you may review the form and reasons for disqualification and work on this document ahead of time here City website. Candidates who successfully pass review of their Personal History Statement will proceed as follows:
• Oral Interview Panel
• Background Investigation and polygraph examination
• Interview with the Chief of Police
• Psychological Examination
• Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

PAY INCENTIVES? Yes, there are pay incentives!

HIRING BONUS New Police Officer Trainees will receive up to $10,000 in payments of $1,250 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1,250 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $2,500 at 3.5 years post hire.

EDUCATIONAL BONUS

* New Police Officers who have a two-year college degree (AA or AS) will receive a $2,500 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation.

* New Police Officers who have a four-year college degree (BA or BS) will receive a $5,000 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation. If Police Officers also have an AA or AS, they will receive only the higher incentive.

EDUCATIONAL TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: After employment, employees are eligible to be reimbursed up to $500 per fiscal year for tuition and books upon successful completion of City-approved college or university courses or other courses directly related to an employee’s job duties. To be eligible for reimbursement, employees must receive approval of the Chief of Police prior to attending classes and comply with applicable department and City regulations.

BILINGUAL PAY: For bilingual speaking skills, Police Officers are eligible for 5% differential of base pay per month, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the approval of the Director of Human Resources. To qualify for this compensation, employees must be certified by the Human Resources Director as conversant in a foreign language utilized frequently in the line of duty.

EMPLOYEE REFERENCE INCENTIVES: If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the "City Employee" box where the application asks for the recruitment source and provide the referring employee name(s) as well. The referring employee's name(s) must be listed on the application for consideration for the employee to receive the referral incentive.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT POLICY REGARDING ILLEGAL USE OR POSSESSION OF DRUGS

The following types of drug use or possession will be considered towards the disqualification of candidates in the pre-employment selection process for all police department applicants:

• A) Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven (7) years prior to application for employment. (LSD, PCP, XTC, And other designer drugs)
• B) Any adult use or possession of marijuana, or derivative within one year prior to application for employment.
• C) Any other illegal adult use or possession of a drug listed below in the designated time frame prior to application for employment.
• D) Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug while employed in the capacity of a police officer, licensed security officer, military police, or as a student enrolled in college accredited courses of/or related to the criminal justice field.
• E) As an adult, any illegal manufacturing or cultivating of a drug.
• F) Failure to divulge to the Police Department during the background investigation any information about personal use or possession of drugs.

The disqualification of a parole candidate for the following types of illegal drug use or possession will be considered in relationship to the overall background of that individual:

• A) Any illegal juvenile use or possession of a drug.
• B) Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug that does not meet the criteria of the considered disqualifiers specified above; e.g. illegal usage of prescribed or non-prescribed medication or any illegal substance used by the means of injection (Steroids will be considered on a case by case basis only if the above timeline restrictions outlined in section one above has been met).

DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under direction supervision, attends an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities required to perform police service; performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a non-sworn, training-level classification in the City's police service. Incumbents are hired from entry-level eligible lists and sent to a basic police academy for training. During training, incumbents do not have police powers and are subject to the rules and regulations of the City of Santa Cruz Police Department and the police academy attended. Trainees may be assigned non-safety duties in the Police Department such as assisting in prevention; collecting information and data; transporting people and materials, etc. Promotion to a sworn Police Officer position is contingent upon successful completion of the basic academy and the final review of the Police Chief. Upon promotion to Police Officer, incumbents will complete a Field Training Program and

• Attends Police Academy.
• Performs related duties and training as assigned by the department or the academy staff within the guidelines or policies of the department.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, maintain sustained posture in a seated or standing position for prolonged periods of time; lift and drag 165 pounds; current POST vision and hearing guidelines must be met; adequate depth perception; speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the telephone and radio; carry and operate a firearm; work in intense life-threatening conditions; drive standard police vehicles. Work in a standard office environment or field environment; exposure to noise, outdoors, inclement weather, animals, chemicals, fumes, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, traffic, traffic hazards, moving objects; dangerous persons, animals, firearms, and bodily fluids. Ability to travel to various sites and locations; drive safely to different sites and locations; and maintain a safe driving record.

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• High school graduation or tested equivalent.

Age/Employment Eligibility

• At least 20.5 years old at time of testing; 21 years old at time of appointment to police officer.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Abilities:

• Understand, interpret and apply State and local laws and regulations, departmental policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to law enforcement.
• React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action.
• Observe and remember facts and details of incidents.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Learn to operate firearms safely and skillfully.
• Obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation.
• Write clear and accurate reports on a computer using a basic word processing program.
• Adapt to changing police processes utilizing computer technology.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate verbally in a clear and effective manner.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a wide range of different individuals and groups from the community.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Psychological suitability for police work (determined by a psychological exam as required by the California POST Commission).
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation which includes a polygraph examination, credit history, driving record, criminal activity, military and employment records, and character references (in accordance with the minimum standards for employment issued by the California POST Commission).

Physical Condition

Physical suitability for police work with a minimum passing score of 384 on the P.O.S.T. Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual and/or bicultural Spanish speaking.
• Possession of an A.A. degree or 60 semester units of college level studies.

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