Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainee

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Police Officer Trainee in our Police Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under general supervision, patrols a beat or sector; enforces laws and ordinances and makes arrests; protects life and property and performs the necessary related tasks to fulfill these objectives; performs related duties as required.

Testing Dates:

Written Exam: Friday, November 13, 2026

Physical Agility/PIQ: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Oral Interviews: Monday, November 30, 2026

The physical agility examination will take each candidate approximately 30 - 45 minutes to complete. There are five separate events in this test, which are simulations of actual tasks that a Police Officer would be required to perform. These events are as follows:

1. PUSH UPS – This exercise tests general upper-body and core strength. Start in the arms-extended position, hands below shoulder or slightly wider, and back straight. During exercise arms must break 90-degrees, then return to the extended position, body moving in line, for a complete repetition. The test ends if chest or knees touch the ground. Applicant must complete at least 25 push-ups within 60 seconds.

2. BODY DRAG – This test simulates dragging someone who is physically incapacitated. The dummy, which weighs 165 pounds, must be dragged a distance of 32 feet within 28 seconds.

3. WOOD FENCE CLIMB – This event will test your ability to climb a six-foot-high wood wall. You are to run up to the fence, scale the fence, and continue running to the finish line. You will have 14 seconds to complete this event.

4. ONE MILE RUN – This event test general cardiovascular endurance. Applicant must complete one mile within 10 minutes.

All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You chose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms. For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Police Sworn Benefit Summary and Memorandum of Understanding.