Police Trainee

Police Trainee Opportunity with the City of Pasadena

Start your career in law enforcement with the City of Pasadena! Current salary for trainees is $41.31/hour or an annual salary of $85,920.12. After successful completion of the Police Academy, the salary is increased to $53.0216 - $61.4889/hour or an annual salary of $110,284.98 - $127,896.86. There are overtime opportunities such as Rose Bowl and city-wide events. Once you become a Police Officer, there are multiple assignments offered with premium pay, such as Motorcycle Patrol, Aircraft/Helicopter Pilot, Helicopter Observer Duty, Field Training Officer (FTO), Gang Detail, and Special Investigations.

As a Police Officer, if you have a junior standing at an accredited college (typically completing at least sixty college units) you will be eligible to receive differential pay of $175 per month; an associate degree from an accredited college - $225 per month; a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, you will be eligible to receive differential pay of $550.00 per month.

We are looking for dedicated and ambitious men and women who are committed to protect and serve our vibrant, beautiful, and diverse community! Pasadena is a great place to be a Police Officer big enough to offer a range of different assignments and opportunities, but small enough for you to really feel part of a strong, cohesive team. Get involved with major Rose Bowl events, Old Town activities, movie and TV filming, and many more diverse and active events that continually take place in Pasadena. You'll be part of it all come build a rewarding and exciting career.

The City of Pasadena is embarking on a hiring process for Police Trainee. For this application filing period, the City of Pasadena will not administer a written exam; candidates who meet the criteria below and provide the required documentation will be considered.

Submit test results from one of the three test options below. Scores that are dated within one (1) year of the application date and meet the minimum passing score will be accepted:

• National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam
• P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)

The ideal candidate will have graduated from high school, GED or other high school equivalency certificate, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution; be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment and legally authorized to work in the United States; have a strong interest in a career in law enforcement; have the physical and ethical capacity and values needed to perform the duties of a Police Officer; and a strong interest in serving the community of Pasadena.

Core competencies needed for success:

• Analytical skills
• Demonstrates honesty and high moral character
• Demonstrates respectful community policing
• Flexibility
• Physical ability
• Reading comprehension
• Service oriented
• Strong moral and physical courage
• Strong oral communication skills
• Written communication skills

Education and experience:

• Graduation from high school, GED or other high school equivalency certificate, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment and legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Possession of a Class C California Driver's License at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment.
• Vision for candidates wearing glasses must be at least 20/100 correctable to 20/30; for candidates who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least one year, vision must be 20/200 uncorrected, correctable to 20/30; free from color blindness.
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Recruitment and selection process overview:

1. Application - We currently have an open testing process for Police Trainee, and the closing date had been extended to: New extended date 8/13/26.
2. Written Test - (Qualifying) - You have received a passing score on the Frontline National Law Enforcement Examination administered by the National Testing Network (NTN) based on the criteria set by the City of Pasadena or have taken and passed California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam and/or have taken and passed the City of Pasadena Police Trainee exam within one year from time of application.
3. Physical Agility Test - (Qualifying) - The physical fitness test consists of the following: 30 Push-Ups: Complete 30 push-ups within 2 minutes. (Pass/Fail) 30 Sit-Ups: Complete 30 sit-ups within 2 minutes. (Pass/Fail) 1.5 Mile Run: Complete one and a half (1.5) miles on a flat surface within 14 minutes. (Pass/Fail). Lift and drag a 165-pound lifelike dummy, 32 feet within 10.0 seconds [Pass / Fail]. Wear appropriate attire, such as running shoes, running shorts, T-shirts, sweats, etc. At the completion of the physical agility test, you will be notified onsite if you passed or failed the examination. Those who do not qualify will not be eligible to continue in the selection process.
4. Oral Interview Examination (Weight 100%) - Applicants will be asked 5-10 questions from current Pasadena Police Field Training Officers on knowledge such as demographics of the city, interest in the Pasadena Police Department, what you have done to prepare to become a Police Officer which includes two scenario questions. If you successfully pass the Physical Agility Test, you will then proceed to an on-site interview which will be held after the Physical Agility Test.
5. Eligible List - Your score on the structured interview will determine your placement and ranking on the eligible list. If you received a qualifying score, you will remain on the eligible list for one year. Qualified candidates on the eligible list may be certified to the Police Department for background investigation. Depending upon the number of vacant positions available and the number of candidates in background, the top qualified candidates on the eligible list will be referred first.
6. Veterans Preference Points - Three points will be added to the final qualifying score for veterans who served at least one year of active military duty and submit documentary evidence of honorable discharge with their application.
7. Personal History Review - The Personal History Review process is conducted by the Police Department. Be advised that by receiving and completing this packet does not automatically put you in the background process. It merely allows the Police Department to determine your suitability towards moving forward with a complete background investigation.
8. Background Investigation - The background investigation will include a comprehensive investigation of your background, education and employment history (including a credit, criminal and DMV review), a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a medical examination.
9. Police Chief's Background File Review and Oral Interview - (Qualifying) Contents of the background file and results of the background investigation will also be evaluated by the Police Chief.
10. Polygraph Examination - (Qualifying) - Candidates will take a polygraph examination designed to determine truthfulness of the candidate's responses about his/her qualifications and suitability as a Police Officer.
11. Psychological Evaluation - (Qualifying) - Candidates will be interviewed by a licensed psychologist to assess the candidate's behavior and character to determine if an individual is at significant risk for employment problems as a Peace Officer. NOTE: Prior to appointment, a medical examination will be conducted.

Those candidates who successfully complete all phases of this process may be appointed to the at-will position of Police Trainee with the City of Pasadena, with the intention of being appointed as a Police Officer after successful completion of the Police Academy.