Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $76,968.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2210-01
Department: Police
Opening Date: 04/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


The Position
The City of Riverside Police Department is currently recruiting for highly motivated individuals for the position of Police Officer Trainee . This is a continuous recruitment.** Applications will be reviewed and those who best meet the needs of the department will be invited to the next step in the selection process.

Candidates who pass the application review will be required to pass an Online Multiple-Choice Exa m , and those who pass the online exam will be invited to a Physical Agility Test (PAT), a review of the Personal History Statement (PHS), and an Interview .


For more information regarding the application and selection process, click
Candidates successful in the selection process will complete a P.O.S.T. approved basic academy. Upon graduation from the basic police academy, applicants will be promoted to the position of Police Officer * . This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for those wanting to grow and advance in their careers and make a difference in their life and the life of others.

The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to selecting only those individuals who meet the highest of professional standards with a commitment to serving all members of their community with sensitivity, empathy, and impartiality.
Police Officer Trainees under direct supervision, receive training in law enforcement related work that will lead to promotion to/or candidacy for a Police Officer position; display an awareness of and empathy towards all persons who they may come in contact with, and perform related duties as required.

*Annual salary upon promotion to Police Officer: $100,980.00

** The City reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time without notice.

Work Performed
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive training at a POST approved Basic Police Academy in criminal and traffic investigation, laws of arrest, search and seizure, collection and preservation of evidence, report writing, first aide, arrest techniques, and use of firearms.
• Participate in the taking of comprehensive subject matter examinations, physical conditioning activities, and other law enforcement related training.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Ability to:

• Learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately.
• Use and care of firearms.
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Establishandmaintaincooperativeworkingrelationshipswiththosecontactedinthecourseofwork.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Work overtime as needed.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

Education: Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade.

Experience: None


POST Certification:

Must possess or be eligible to obtain a Proof of Eligibility (POE) from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within ten (10) days of employment. Must be able to enroll in and successfully complete a POST Basic Peace Officer Academy within 12 months of hire. Must earn and maintain a Basic POST Certificate within 18-24 months of employment as a Police Officer.
Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Minimum age of 21 (At time of graduation from academy).
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Physical Agility Test Requirements:

• Run 1.5 miles in 13 minutes
• Run 5 yards to a 6-foot-high solid wall, climb over, and sprint 25 yards
• Run 5 yards to a 6-foot-high chain-link fence, climb over and sprint 25 yards
• Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, curb height obstacles and a 34-inch-high barricade
• Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy for 32 feet
• 30 sit-ups and 30 push-ups

Grooming Standards:

All applicants will present themselves in a professional manner throughout the entire testing process. This means no facial hair, ear plugs or hoop style earrings. Males will have a well-groomed haircut with the back of their hair no longer than the bottom of their natural neckline. Females will have their hair pulled back into a ponytail or a bun if their hair is long enough to do so.

Both male and female applicants will dress themselves in a suit or formal business attire. No T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts or sandals will be allowed as you are testing for a professional organization.


Tattoo Requirements:

All tattoos shall be covered by your business attire, and no temporary cover-ups will be accepted.


All listed standards and requirements indicated on this flyer will be strictly enforced as they are in accordance with our current department policies. We also reserve the right to remove any applicant from the process if these standards are not adhered to.

Selection Process
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an online multiple choice exam*. Applicants who achieve a passing score will be invited to participate in an oral interview**, and if successful, proceed to a ***. As part of the screening process, candidates will also be required to complete a Candidates who are successful in the online examination, oral interview, and physical agility test MAY be invited to continue in the process. Additional phases of selection include successfully passing a background investigation, a polygraph, a psychological evaluation, a medical evaluation and a drug testing. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.


* The City of Riverside reserves the right to modify the online multiple choice exam process as it sees necessary .

**For the interview, applicants will be required to wear professional business attire and present themselves in an appropriate professional manner.

*** For the PAT, appropriate clothing should be worn. Shorts or loose-fitting clothes that do not restrict arm and leg movements, along with a comfortable athletic shoe, are suggested .

Suggestion: Candidates seeking to practice the in preparation for the test, may do so by visiting Bordwell Park, located at Please be respectful of the park community at all times.

POST Standards Requirements:
Any visual defect must correct to 20/20 in both eyes. If soft contacts have been worn successfully for 3 months any defect is acceptable if corrected to 20/20. Must have passing score on color blindness test and depth perception. Applicants must be able to pass the POST Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Weight must be in proportion to height as determined by a physician.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.


IMPORTANT : Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, medical/physical examination, and drug and alcohol test; and may be subject to polygraph examination, and/or psychological examination As part of the background investigation, all claims of education and experience made in the employment application process, as well as other information submitted, will be verified. Appointed candidates are required to submit an official copy of educational transcripts verifying obtained degrees or certificates as indicated on the employment application.


NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list. Some candidates may be disqualified indefinitely due to the results of their background investigation.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

The City of Riverside does not reimburse any expenses incurred as a result of this recruitment.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Special Classes PO Trainee:

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,575 per month for employee and dependent coverage.
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $45 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $25 a month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• S tate Disability Insurance - Automatic coverage administered by the Employee Development Department (EDD) of the State of California

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
01



Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02


Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College units complete
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD

03


Please indicate the type of valid motor vehicle operator's license you possess.

• None
• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Out of State License

04


Do you meet the minimum age requirement of 21 years of age (at time of graduation from Police Academy)?

• Yes
• No

05


If you are an active military or an out of state/area applicant, or both, please check the appropriate box below, otherwise check N/A.

• Active Military
• Out of State
• Both, Active Military and Out of State
• N/A

06


If you checked that you are an active military applicant in the question above, please indicate the military base that you are stationed at.
07


Please indicate your availability to work. (Please check all that apply.)

• Days
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Swing Shifts
• Graveyard Shifts
• Rotating Shifts
• Flexible Shifts
• Holidays

08



Background: The following questions are to assess your suitability for employment with the Riverside Police Department based on your personal background. Please answer each question to the best of your knowledge. This information will be used to determine whether or not you will be invited to continue in the selection process for the current position.

• I understand.

09


Have you received three (3) or more moving violation citations within the last four (4) years ? A "moving violation" is not a correctable violation such as a broken taillight or windshield; it is a violation such as speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, or running a red light.

• Yes
• No

10


Have you been at fault in three (3) or more traffic collisions in the last four (4) years?

• Yes
• No

11


Have you been convicted for driving under the influence in the last three (3) years?

• Yes
• No

12


Have you used methamphetamine or cocaine in the last five (5) years?

• Yes
• No

13


Have you used hallucinogens to include LSD, PCP, XTC, in the last five (5) years?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you ever used heroin/opium? (other than doctor prescribed)

• Yes
• No

15


Have you ever manufactured, cultivated, transported, brokered, or sold controlled substances, other than marijuana?

• Yes
• No

16


Have you ever injected any form of illegal narcotics, (steroids do not apply)?

• Yes
• No

17



Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. ( Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed. ) Employers noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question