Police Officer Trainee I/II (Ventura Police Department)

Police Officer Trainee I/II

The City of Ventura is seeking highly motivated and dedicated individuals to join our team as a Police Officer Trainee I/II. This structured training pathway prepares candidates to become sworn police officers, with professional growth and development opportunities. Police Officer Trainees receive high-quality training and mentoring to prepare them for a career in law enforcement with the Ventura Police Department.

Position classifications:

• Police Officer Trainee I (Pre-Academy): An entry-level, non-sworn position designed for individuals preparing to attend a California POST-certified Basic Police Academy. Trainees at the level I will receive hands-on experience and departmental mentorship to prepare for academy success. Individuals will transition to Police Officer Trainee II upon commencement of the academy.

• Police Officer Trainee II (Academy Ready): An entry-level, non-sworn classification for individuals who have been selected to attend a California POST-certified Basic Police Academy. Upon successful completion of the academy and all department and state-mandated requirements, Trainees will transition into a sworn Police Officer role.

Candidates may be hired at either Police Officer Trainee I or II, depending on academy availability and at the discretion of the hiring department. Those hired as a Trainee I will work in a non-sworn capacity with the Ventura Police Department before the start of the academy and progress to Trainee II upon commencement of the academy.

Why join the Ventura Police Department?

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including a paid workout for patrol
• State-of-the-art training and equipment
• A supportive team environment with strong civic engagement
• Coastal community with endless opportunities for career growth and advancement

Pay

• Police Officer Trainee I - $42.20 Hourly | $7,314.51 Monthly
• Police Officer Trainee II - $44.31 | $7,680.24 Monthly
• Police Officer (Upon successful completion of the academy and appointment as a sworn Police Officer) – Step A $49.32 – Step E $59.95 per hour

Experience and qualifications for success!

• Education: Graduation from high school, or a GED is required. College coursework in criminal justice, behavioral science, or other social sciences is preferred.
• Age: Must be 21 years of age on or before the date of appointment as a Police Officer
• Convictions: Must be of good moral character, with no felony convictions or convictions that preclude firearm possession or employment as a peace officer.
• Citizenship: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Medical: Excellent physical condition. Must meet California POST medical and psychological standards.
• Other: Candidates are required to undergo an extensive background investigation, polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation, and post-offer medical examination, including screening for drugs and alcohol.
• License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required at time of appointment.

Apply now!

Submit a city application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted on a continuous basis. Applications are reviewed weekly, and candidates are encouraged to apply for immediate consideration.

The preferred method to submit your application is online at If you are unable to submit an online application, you may request paper application materials by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io during regular business hours or emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.

Paper applications and answers to the supplemental questionnaire can be Faxed to View phone number on click.appcast.io or mailed to City Hall at: 501 Poli Street, Room 210; Ventura, CA 93001. If you FAX, it is highly recommended that you also send the original documents via mail. It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire, may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process. After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail. Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

The selection process includes:

Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review:

A review of application and supplemental questionnaire will be conducted and applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and desired background experience for successful performance as a Police Officer Trainee will continue in the next step of the process. Applicants must successfully meet the written examination requirement and submit qualifying California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) results WITH their application (valid for exams administered within one year of application submittal) or have already passed the National Testing Network exam to be certified to the eligibility list.

Written Examination

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION UNTIL THIS REQUIREMENT IS SATISFIED.

Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Submit California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) test score with your application. Test scores are valid for exams administered within one year of application submittal and applicant must submit a letter from the testing agency on agency letterhead at time of application submission. Applicants must meet the minimum T-score of 42 and acceptance of other agency's T-score is subject to verification with the testing agency.

• Must have completed the National Testing Network (NTN) FrontLine National Written examination within one year prior to submitting your application and achieve a minimum score of: Video (65), Reading (70), Writing (70). The Human Resources Department will confirm applicant test scores directly with NTN once the application is submitted.

Information Regarding NTN FrontLine National Written examination: If you choose to take the NTN written examination, go to select Law Enforcement and sign up for the City of Ventura Police Department. If you have problems scheduling the written examination, please contact NTN Customer Support at: View email address on click.appcast.io.

Eligibility List: Applicants who meet the written examination requirement by providing qualifying POST PELLETB test scores or passing the NTN written examination will be certified to an eligibility list, which will be sent to the Police Department for further consideration. The Police Department will administer the remaining processes outlined below.

Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ) Completion: All applicants certified to the eligibility list are required to complete and return the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ) to the Police Department. A copy of the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire in PDF fillable format will be sent to candidates selected to move forward in the process.

Department Selection Interviews: Upon review of the completed Pre-Investigative Questionnaire, the Police Department will invite a limited number of candidates to participate in department selection interviews.

Personal History Statement (PHS) Completion: After successfully completing the department selection interviews, candidates selected to proceed will be required to submit an online ESOPH background Personal History Statement (PHS) following the interview.

Physical Agility Test: Applicants placed into the background investigation stage will be required to complete a physical agility test.

The physical agility test consists of the following components:

• Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement
• Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165 pound dummy 32 feet
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot high chain-link fence, continue running 25 yards
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot high solid fence, continue running 25 yards
• 500 Yard Run: Run 500 yards with no obstacles

Additional Selection and Hiring Components: Polygraph, background investigation, post-offer psychological and medical examinations. Police Academy: Candidates selected for hire will enter a 24-week Police Academy.

Learn more – additional information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of each position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City's Career Page at or by viewing here: Police Officer Trainee I and Police Officer Trainee II.