Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainee

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, there is an opportunity for you to become a Police Officer Trainee in the Concord Police Department. The Police Department: The members of the Concord Police Department are dedicated to providing the highest quality police services in order to enhance community safety, protect life and property, and reduce crime and the fear of crime. To do this, we pledge to develop a partnership with the community, lead a community commitment to resolve problems, and improve the safety and quality of life in our city. For more information visit joinconcordpd.com.

What you will be doing in this role: As a Trainee, you would be assigned to attend an upcoming POST-approved Police Academy. Acceptance by the Academy, which includes successfully passing a POST-approved written examination, is a condition for employment in this position. The Trainee position is a non-sworn, entry-level training position. Employees in this classification are temporary, at-will employees with only mandatory benefits as required by law, and do not have Police Officer status while attending the Academy. Upon successful completion of the Academy, Trainees will be promoted and receive the annual salary and full benefits of a regular full-time, sworn Police Officer with the Concord Police Department.

We are looking for someone who:

• Possesses the ability to observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places
• Can think and act quickly in emergencies
• Can judge situations and people accurately
• Can learn standard operating procedures of police headquarters, radio-telephone, and keyboard-type communications equipment
• Can understand and interpret laws and regulations
• Can prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports
• Can become proficient in self-defense techniques, and in the care and use of firearms
• Can follow oral and written instructions
• Can deal courteously and effectively with the general public
• Embraces and embodies the City's Mission, Vision and Values.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE

While enrolled in the police academy, Police Officer Trainees are eligible for health insurance, which includes a generous premium contribution by the City. Upon hire, Trainees will be enrolled in Social Security. If and when meeting the hours requirements of the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS), Trainees will be enrolled at the non-sworn rate of 2% @62. Upon completion of the academy, the incumbent becomes represented by the Concord Police Officers Association and receives an excellent benefits package, including but not limited to:

• New CalPERS members eligible for 2.7% @ 57 plus Social Security
• Shift differential ranging from 3% – 8%
• Specialty Assignments: Detective (Violence Suppression Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Special Victims Unit, Major Crimes Unit), Canine, Community Impact Unit, Motorcycle, Traffic Investigator, Special Enforcement Team, Research & Development (Information Technology), Crime Scene Investigator, FTO, SWAT, Front Desk Corporal, Patrol Corporal, and Drone Operator.
• Master Officer Program – 10% at 15 years sworn service with 3 completed specialties.
• Longevity – 5% at 18 years sworn service.
• $250/month bilingual pay for qualifying languages
• Education and POST Certificate Incentives up to 10%
• Continued training and professional development opportunities
• Fully paid tuition reimbursement program with approval
• Generous contributions to health, dental and vision plans
• Employer paid life insurance and contributions to retirement plans
• Employer paid Employee Assistance Program and robust peer support program

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Submit a completed City of Concord application and attach a valid POST participating agency T-Score of 50 or better (issued within the past 12 months on official agency letterhead). Candidates who do not attach a T-Score of 50 or better will not move forward in the process. For more information on how to obtain a T-Score, see Qualifications section below.

2. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, and only those candidates demonstrating the strongest qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in a panel interview.

3. Candidates that pass the panel interview will be subject to an extensive background examination (Download PDF reader) including a polygraph test, psychological exam and physical. (Use of illegal drugs/narcotics within the past year will disqualify an applicant. Sales of illegal drugs will disqualify applicants.)

4. Once testing is complete the Chief of Police shall review the background and post-conditional offer assessments and make the final determination as to whether a formal job offer is to be made. Background Investigation: All appointments to this position are subject to a fingerprint check, polygraph and background investigation coordinated by the Concord Police Department. The following list describes some areas that are covered in the investigation:

• Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for a career in law enforcement.
• The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.
• You must list a history of your residences.
• Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.
• Military service records are subject to verification.
• The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you).
• Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated. Felony convictions will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process.
• If you have a history of recent or prolonged use of illegal controlled substances, you may be dismissed from the process.

Deliberate misstatements or omissions can and often will result in your application being rejected, regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatements/omissions. In fact, the number one reason individuals fail and/or are disqualified during the background investigation is because they deliberately withhold or misrepresent job-relevant information. Applicants must be truthful in all phases of the process and promptly submit documentation when requested.

Helpful tips when applying:

• It is important to carefully read the complete job bulletin before submitting your application so you are aware of all requirements of both the position and the process.
• When preparing your application, consider reviewing the job announcement and classification specification so that you may emphasize work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying.
• Job duties should be an accurate reflection of the work you completed. Copying and pasting from your job description is not recommended as there may be duties listed that you did not perform.
• Answer all required supplemental questions completely and honestly. The information you put in the supplemental questionnaire must also be verified in your work history so if you say you have certain experience in the questionnaire, make sure we can see it listed in your job history as well so we know where you performed those functions and for how long.

Examples of duties include, but are not limited to:

• Attending a POST-approved Police Academy.
• Acceptance by the Academy, which includes successfully passing a POST-approved written examination, is a condition for employment in this position.
• During the 6-month Academy program, you would receive the academic and physical training required for appointment to the position of Police Officer.
• Upon successful completion of the Academy, you would typically be appointed as a Police Officer and begin serving an 18-month probation period with the City of Concord Police Department.

Qualifications

Education: The ideal candidate will have the equivalent of 60 college semester units or more. Only applicants with at least 30 semester units will be considered. The classification of Police Officer requires 60 college semester units, or the equivalent. If selected, those employees must obtain the additional required semester units within the first four (4) years of employment. Candidates with at least three (3) years of recent military experience may substitute their experience for 15 semester units.

T-Score Qualification: A T-Score of 50 or higher on the California POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (POST Pellet B) is required. A qualifying T-Score from any POST participating agency will be accepted. Documentation of your score must be provided on agency letterhead and attached to your application at the time of online submission. POST T-Scores are valid within one year (12 months) from the date that the test was administered. Scores older than one year will be disqualified.

The City of Concord will periodically administer POST Pellet B testing. For the most current information about upcoming test dates please visit the Concord Police Department's Facebook page at