Police Officer Recruit (Academy Enrolled Only)

Salary: $5,701.00 Monthly
Location : City of Westminster, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-03
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
NOTE: This recruitment is only open to those who are currently enrolled in a police academy.
Police Recruit

$5,701 Monthly


Police Officer I

$7,445 - $9,502 Monthly (Upon successful completion of the academy)

DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision, actively participates in the P.O.S.T. (Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) prescribed police academy training program; performs all related learning and testing activities. Upon successful completion of the academy program incumbents of this non-sworn classification may be appointed to the sworn classification of Police Officer.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level, training classification for professional law enforcement in the City of Westminster Police Department. This is a non-sworn classification and upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T. approved academy, a Police Recruit may be promoted to the Police Officer classification.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Learns and applies knowledge of the Westminster Police Department's organization, rules, and regulations.
• Learns principles and techniques of patrol procedures, community service, crime prevention, and public relations.
• Learns and applies knowledge of enforcement and procedural aspects of criminal law, arrest and control techniques, crowd control, and the enforcement of those laws.
• Learns principles and techniques of proper use and maintenance of firearms.
• Learns vehicle operation including the Vehicle Code.
• Learns basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and interviewing witnesses.
• Learns and practices physical fitness and defense techniques programs.
• Learns and practices first-aid and CPR.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• Basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies. Activities and programs of the City's Police Department.
• Word processing methods, techniques, and programs.
• Basic principles of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Learn basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Learn police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Learn, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and word-processing and other software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Applicants must be enrolled in a California POST approved basic academy and be twenty-one (21) years of age or older at completion of the Basic Police Academy.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scene and to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures

WORKING CONDITIONS


Classification requires successful completion of a pre-hire physical and detailed police background investigation. Incumbents are off site attending the Police Academy for their entire tenure in this classification.
Supplemental Information
The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package to Westminster Police Officers Association (WPOA) members, including:

RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City's contract provides for the following retirement tiers for new hires:

SWORN EMPLOYEES:

• Tier 2 (hired on or after July 28, 2011 and a current CalPERS member): 2% @ 50 formula ; employees contribute 9.0% of salary towards retirement costs.
• Tier 3/PEPRA (hired on or after January 1, 2013 and not a current CalPERS member): 2.7% @ 57 formula ; employees contribute 14.5% of salary towards retirement costs.

NON-SWORN EMPLOYEES:

• Tier 2 (Classic Members hired on or after July 28, 2011): 2.0% @ 60 formula; employees contribute 7.0% of salary towards retirement costs.
• Tier 3/PEPRA (New Members hired on or after January 1, 2013): 2.0% @ 62 formula; employees contribute 8.25% of salary towards retirement costs.

The City of Westminster does not participate in Social Security.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive an additional 5% of base pay for possessing an AA degree; or an additional 10% of base pay for possessing a BA/BS degree.

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAY: Available to Police Officers, Sergeants, and Commanders.

ADVANCED POST PAY: 2.5% of base pay provided for possession of an Advanced POST Certificate.

BILINGUAL PAY: $150 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages.

LONGEVITY PAY:
10 years of service: $95 per month
15 years of service: $150 per month
21 years of service: $150 per month plus 2% of base salary
22 years of service: $150 per month plus 4% of base salary
23 years of service: $150 per month plus 6% of base salary
24 years of service: $150 per month plus 8% of base salary
25 years of service: $150 per month plus 10% of base salary

INSURANCE BENEFITS: Effective January 1, 2024, the City's cafeteria benefits plan provides $1,600 per month toward the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Employees who participate in the CalPERS health insurance program and are enrolled in a Family plan will receive an additional $400 per month towards the purchase of medical benefits (total of $2,000 per month ).


Medical insurance is provided through the Cal-PERS health insurance program. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit of 66.6% of salary to a maximum of $10,000 per month; the City also provides a paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 per fiscal year for approved courses is available.

VACATION: Employees earn 120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five years (maximum of 160 hours). Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive eleven (11) paid City 9-hour fixed holidays , and an additional 27 hours of floating holiday time annually to be used at the employee's discretion.

SICK LEAVE: Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave per year.

WORK SCHEDULE: Police employees work either a 3/12 or 4/10 work schedule Otheremployees will have the option to work a 9/80, 4/10, or 5/40 work schedule (based on operational needs). The City does not offer a Hybrid work schedule at this time.

Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Westminster Police Officers Association (WPOA) members for additional details:
01


If selected, are you willing and able to undergo a thorough background investigation, including but not limited to review of: legal documents; federal, state, and local law enforcement checks; drivers license and DMV record; high school diploma; college transcripts; proof of automobile insurance; employment verifications; and personal and professional reference checks?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you currently enrolled in the Academy?

• Yes
• No

03


If yes, what Academy are you currently enrolled in? (If you are not currently enrolled, please write "N/A.")
Required Question