Police Officer Trainee

DESCRIPTION

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.

If you are interested in giving back to the community, the Corona Police Department has an exciting opportunity to join the team as a Police Officer Trainee. The Corona Police Department is made up of 250 employees which includes officers and professional staff. The department is comprised of three divisions: Field Services, Investigative Services, and Support Services. Our mission is to ensure the safety and security of our community while maintaining trust through transparency. The Police Officer Trainee is an entry level, non-sworn training classification.

INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

There will be two informational meetings on Wednesday, September 30 th, 2026, at 5pm and 7pm . Attendance will not be mandatory, but it will provide a clearer understanding of the process and expectations of a Police Officer Trainee.

Offering Excellent Benefits

Upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T approved academy, a Police Officer Trainee may be appointed to the Police Officer classification. Below you will find an overview of the benefits not only for a Police Officer Trainee, but the changes you will see once appointed to the Police Officer classification.

Benefits Police Officer Trainee Benefits (Non-Sworn) Upon Promotion to Police Officer (Sworn)

Salary $72,552 annualized $96,312 annualized Bargaining Group Not Represented Corona Police Employees Association CalPERS PEPRA Member 2% @ 62
Classic Member 2.7% @55 PEPRA Member 2.7% @ 57
Classic Member 3% @ 50 Annual Leave (1-5 years of service) 3.23 sick hours and 3.23 annual leave hours per pay period.
168 hours of annual leave per year. 8.08 annual leave per pay period.
210 hours of annual leave per year.
*Officers may earn an additional 130 annual leave hours for holidays worked per year. Medical Allowance $978 per month - Single Party
$1,646 per month - 2-party
$2,173 per month - Family $978 per month - Single Party
$1,646 per month - 2-party
$2,173 per month - Family Medical Opt Out $200 per month - Single Party
$400 per month - 2-party
$600 per month - Family $200 per month - Single Party
$400 per month - 2-party
$600 per month - Family Life Insurance 5 1/2 times employee's basic earnings to a maximum of $750,000 5 1/2 times employee's basic earnings to a maximum of $750,000 Holidays 13 Holidays 13 Holidays Retirement Health Savings $50 quarterly $1,250 quarterly Bi-Lingual Pay Not Included 4% of base pay Post Incentive Pay Not Included Intermediate: 3% of base pay
Advanced: 8% of base pay Longevity Pay Not Included $2,320 annually, $89.23 per pay period Marksmanship Incentive Not Included $16.15 per pay period Uniform Allowance Not Included $132.31 per pay period Safety Vest Reimbursement Not Included $1,150 every 5 years.

* DISCLAIMER: City paid benefits shall be as set forth in the most current version of the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between the City of Corona and the Corona Police Employees Association, which can be viewed on the City's website ( In the event of any conflict between the above summary of City paid benefits and any terms or conditions set forth in the most current version of the MOU, the terms and conditions set forth in the MOU shall control for purposes of this recruitmen t .

Knowledge & Education

• Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or equivalent. Education must be listed on your application in order for your application to be considered complete.
• Knowledge of English language including spelling of words, composition, and grammar.
• Familiarity with modern office equipment including computers and software programs relevant to work being performed.

Skills/Abilities

• Learn basic functions, principals, and practices of law enforcement agencies including police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Experience

• Must have the ability to successfully complete a Basic Police Academy as approved by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
• Must possess a current and valid California Class C Driver's License at time of appointment as a condition of continued employment, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Candidates must be 20.5 years of age at time of application.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Characteristics

• Integrity- Being truthful and ethical in what we do, what we say, and what we say we do in both our personal and professional lives.
• Respect- We are committed to our profession and will always respect one another and the community that we serve.
• Inclusion- We are not just diverse; we are welcoming to all.
• Teamwork- When we work together to achieve our mission, the department and community will grow stronger. Together, we are better.
• Innovation- We provide modern police services and are committed to always improve our organizational practices.

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt eligible for overtime compensation.

To view the position's complete job description, click here.

TESTING PROCESS

The City of Corona is pleased to announce our new testing process! Please review the information and dates below.

Online Written Exam: Candidates who meet the minimum qualification will receive an email invitation to complete our online exam. The exam consists of 108 questions focusing on the following areas:

• Reading
• Math
• Reasoning & Analyzing
• Writing
• Human Relations

Candidates will have 3 hours to complete the exam and can take the exam at any time prior to the due date listed on your invitation email. We do not offer a study guide and will provide specific direction regarding the exam in the invitation email. Candidates must score a 70% or higher to be invited to continue on in the recruitment process.

Physical Agility, and Oral Board Interviews: Candidates who receive a 70% or higher on the written exam will then be invited to our single day testing process. The day will start with the physical agility exam.

The physical agility testing requires candidates to complete the following: climbing of 6ft. wall (solid), 25 push-ups in one minute, 30 sit-ups in one minute and complete 1.5 mile run in 13:30. The applicant must successfully complete each event in order to pass the physical agility. Those who pass the physical agility test will then be given an oral interview time, taking place the same day.

Oral interview and physical agility scores are combined, and top scoring candidates will be placed on an eligibility list. As positions open, the department will contact these candidates to begin the background process.

The next one-day testing is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: PER POST REGULATIONS, CANDIDATES CAN SUBMIT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO WAIVE THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION PORTION OF OUR PROCESS.

1. Bachelor's Degree or Higher- unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application.
2. Pellet-B Score of 42 or higher taken within the last 3 years of the application date.

IF THESE ITEMS ARE NOT SUBMITTED ALONG WITH YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION, YOU MUST TAKE AND SCORE HIGH ENOUGH ON OUR WRITTEN EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO CONTINUE ON IN THE PROCESS.

Those applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the test.

Successful candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, psychological exam, and medical exam with the Corona Police Department. Background investigation will include but is not limited to the following:

• No felony conviction(s).
• Submit to a fingerprint and criminal history check - State and Federal Bureaus.
• Good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• United States high school graduate, GED, or equivalent.
• No conviction(s) of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses.
• Submit to a polygraph examination.
• Successfully pass a medical and psychological examination.
• Credit history check, if established, must be satisfactory.

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted through Thursday , September 10, 2026 , at 11:59 PM . Candidates that are selected to continue on in the process will be invited to complete the online exam and those who are successful in passing the exam will receive an invitation to our one-day testing process which will tentatively take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026 .

COMMUNITY

A City whose heritage spans more than a century, the City of Corona, located in Riverside County, California, encompasses around 40 square miles and has a vibrant, culturally diverse population of approximately 168,100 residents. Residents of Corona enjoy a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities that provide a first-rate quality of life for its residents and visitors. Within an hour's travel time, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy such winter activities as snowboarding and skiing and such summer activities as surfing, boating, or simply relaxing on a beach. Corona's economy is strong and getting stronger; more than 84,000 people work here. Our retail, commercial, and housing areas are expanding, and office development continues to be strong.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Corona is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. Policymaking and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members. Members of the City Council are elected by District to a four-year term. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves as the presiding officer for one year.

The City is organized into the following departments/organizational units: Community Services, City Manager's Office, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Risk Management, Police, Planning & Development, Public Works and Utilities. Oversight of these departments is divided between the City Manager and two Assistant City Managers.

The

City's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a

General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of

935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and

visitors each day.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To view all essential duties and responsibilities, click here.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

To view all qualifications guidelines, click here.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

To view all physical/mental demands and work environment, click here.