Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $92,803.36 - $102,315.20 Annually
Location : Fullerton Police Department, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 2026 - Police Off Trainee
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
The Fullerton Police Department is dedicated to the Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Protection of Life and Liberty, and the relentless Pursuit of Justice. Law enforcement is a noble and honorable calling that requires integrity, honesty, dedication, and a commitment to serving our community. With a complement of approximately 180 employees, 125 sworn and 55 civilian positions, our department is made up of men and women who encompass these qualities.
We pride ourselves on our family environment, where you aren't just another number, but an integral part of our mission. If being part of an extended family away from home and an exhilarating career making a difference in people's lives sounds like something you want to be a part of, we encourage you to apply with us today!
The Position:

Under general supervision performs a variety of non-sworn law enforcement duties, attends a formalized education program in preparation for employment as a Police Officer and performs related work as required.
Police Officer Trainee is a full time, non-sworn, temporary classification intended to prepare individuals to become sworn police officers.
Upon successful completion of a Police Academy approved by the Fullerton Police Department, a Police Officer Trainee shall be appointed to Police Officer.
Police Officer Trainee

$7,734 - $8,526 Monthly
Police Officer I

$7,734 - $10,882 Monthly
Future Salary Increases:

4% - effective July 2027
We are not conducting any PELLETB testing at this time. Only candidates with a current passing test score (see below for instructions) will be selected to continue in the recruitment process.

Employment Guidelines
Mandatory Requirements:

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent.
• Must have a valid California Driver's License and acceptable driving record.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of graduation from the academy.
• Vision no less than 20/100 in each eye (unless soft contact lenses are worn) and correctable to 20/20 with no color impairment.

Please review the full for additional requirements and information.
Process:

Candidates must submit a complete application that includes one of the following:

• A passing POST PELLETB T-score. Our passing T-score is a minimum of 46 . The score must be on agency letterhead and attached to your application with the file name "PELLETB T-score". We must be able to read the full document, partial screenshots or screen grabs/snips will not be accepted.

OR

• A passing NTN Frontline National examination score. The minimum passing scores are as follows: Video - 65%, Reading - 70% and Writing - 70% . Candidates must initiate the process with NTN who will provide scores to Fullerton Human Resources for review. For assistance with the submission of NTN test scores, candidates must contact NTN.

Test score submissions must be dated within one year of your application submission date.

It is also important to note that applicants should not submit their application until they have all the required and valid documentation available to attach.
Candidates who are successful in passing the application review and submission of a passing test score, as indicated above, will be invited to our Physical Ability Test (PAT)* .
The components of our PAT are:

• Push-ups (minimum of five (5) must be completed within 2:00 minutes).
• 440-yard run (must be completed within 2:22 minutes or better).
• Obstacle course, including scaling a 6-foot solid wall (must be completed within 1:10 minutes or better).
• Body drag of 32 feet (must be completed within 0:31 seconds or better).
• 1.5-mile run (must be completed within 15:00 minutes or better).

The PAT score is based on the time or the number of repetitions completed. Candidates who do not complete a PAT component within the set minimum time or do not achieve the minimum score will be disqualified.
Oral Interviews* - Candidates who pass the PAT will be interviewed on site by staff members of the Fullerton Police Department.
* The City reserves the right to revise any portion of the examination process, including PAT components and/or minimum times or repetitions. Candidates will be notified of any changes before the related examination process/step.
If you have any questions regarding preparation for the PAT and/or Oral Interview please contact the recruiting officer, Corporal Dominguez, at View email address on click.appcast.io.

For more information about the Fullerton Police Department -
Additional Information:

Current City of Fullerton employees may be given preference during the testing and/or selection process.
Applicants who do not fully complete the application or follow instructions provided in this posting, who do not submit a passing T-score or have not arranged for NTN to provide us their score at the time of application, who do not self-schedule or are a no-show/no-call during any part of this examination process will be disqualified, which may also result in disqualification from future recruitments. If an applicant is disqualified from the recruitment process, they may reapply after 60 days.
Applicants considered for appointment as a Police Officer Trainee will be subject to an extensive and in-depth background investigation including a polygraph examination.
All employment offers, including appointment offers to City of Fullerton employees, are conditional based upon the successful completion of a medical examination performed by the City's designated physician, at City expense. Medical exams are administered to assess an individual's ability to perform the physical requirements of this position. In addition, City of Fullerton employees appointed to safety-sensitive classifications, and all new hires, will undergo a drug screen.
All new hires, including non-regular City of Fullerton employees appointed to D.O.T, will serve a six-month probationary period.
California Government Code §3100 - 3109 requires that all public employees are to be declared disaster service workers and shall take and subscribe to the related oath or affirmation as required.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
The City of Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service.
The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please contact the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io prior to the filing deadline. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.
Supplemental Information
Fullerton is renowned for its unique mix of residential, business, educational, and cultural environments. Boasting a population of approximately 140,000 citizens, Fullerton is a community with a strong sense of tradition and takes pride in providing an atmosphere that allows for both the preservation of its historic past and opportunities to meet the challenges of the future. Known as the "Education Community", Fullerton is also home to award-winning elementary and secondary school systems, plus five universities and colleges, including Cal State Fullerton.
We are a full-service city comprised of nine departments, that include our own city staffed Fire and Police departments. Additionally, the city oversees a general aviation airport, a library, and a variety of recreational buildings, facilities, and activities. As a mid-sized organization providing a variety of services to both internal and external customers, employees are afforded the opportunity to perform varied work within their job classifications.
To make sure that our emails are not filtered into your "junk" or "bulk" folder, please add GovernmentJobs.com to your list of trusted senders. Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communication through U.S. mail.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employees under this classification are represented by the Fullerton Police Officer Association (FPOA)-Safety Unit. For further information please see the appropriate MOA:
Please click for more benefits information.
01


I acknowledge and understand that all information requested under "Work Experience" in this application must be complete and must match the information that I provide in a personal history statement and/or background investigation packet, should I be invited to complete one. Any inconsistencies or omissions may result in my disqualification from the recruitment process now and in the future.

• Acknowledged

02


Do you have a diploma or equivalent from an accredited United States High School?

• Yes
• No

03


If you answered "no" to the previous question, please explain or respond, "N/A".
04


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a valid California Class C driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06


Have you previously applied for the position of Police Officer Trainee with the City of Fullerton?

• Yes
• No

07


You must be age 21 by the time you graduate from the training academy. Are you at least 20 years old now?

• Yes
• No

08


Select one of the following regarding your test score submission. Please ensure your test score meets or exceeds the minimum requirement(s) indicated in this posting.

• I have taken the PELLETB within the last 12 months and attached a full and legible copy of my T-score notification of 46 or higher to this online application.
• I have taken the NTN Frontline National Exam within the last 12 months and have had my passing scores submitted to the City of Fullerton.

09


I acknowledge that either my passing T-score notification is attached to this application or that I have already arranged for NTN to provide my scores to the City of Fullerton. I further understand that my application will be disqualified if I have not done either.

• Acknowledged

10


APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - Application CompleteThank you for taking the time to complete this application and supplemental questionnaire. Please be sure to review all the information you have provided before submitting your application. Once submitted, you will not be able to make any additions, revisions, or reapply. Your application submission will be reviewed and evaluated as submitted.

• I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and understand that I will not be able to update or revise any part once it is submitted.

Required Question