Police Officer: Academy Trained/Current Enrollee

Salary : $8,240.27 - $10,209.33 Monthly
Location : Downey, CA
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 25-002
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/10/2025


ABOUT THE POSITION
To perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; enforce State and local traffic regulations; perform investigative work; and participate in and provide support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs.
Starting pay for Academy Trained entry is at "A" step of the pay range.
Education Incentive Pay: An additional 7% of base pay for an Associate's degree or equivalent units (60) OR Intermediate California (CA) P.O.S.T. Certificate. An additional 10.5% for a Bachelor's degree or equivalent units (124) OR Advanced CA P.O.S.T. Certificate.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification.

• Patrols assigned area in patrol car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, and to enforce traffic regulations; responds to calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, robberies, disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies, and take necessary police action; make arrests; take charge of, and guide and direct the work of other law enforcement personnel in various situations until relieved by a supervisor officer.
• Conducts motor vehicle accident investigations; provides first aid for injured persons, and take safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses; takes written statements and examines conditions of accident scene; and clears or directs clearing of obstructions and wreckage.
• Investigates crimes against persons and property; interviews victims and witnesses; searches for, evaluates and secures/collects evidence; and arrests suspected perpetrator(s).
• Investigates complaints involving juveniles, including reports of child neglect and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors; checks business establishments and public places known to be frequented by juveniles; and arrests juvenile and adult offenders.
• Processes warrants and apprehends or assists in the apprehension of wanted persons by court orders or actions in criminal cases.
• Maintains knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, rules of evidence for criminal cases, crime prevention techniques, current investigation techniques, traffic control techniques, care and custody of persons and property.

Prepares and submits required reports and provides assistance, information, and directions to the public.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education: High school graduate or equivalent AND completion of a California (CA) Basic Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy within the last twenty four (24) months from date of application submission OR current enrollment with good class standing in a full-time basic police academy certified by the CA Commission on P.O.S.T.


Experience: No previous sworn law enforcement experience required. In addition to Academy training, any related work experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential function of the position is helpful.

Age: 21 years of age at time of appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Height in proportion to weight;
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes and free from color blindness;
• Hearing within normal limit; and
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

Knowledge of: Good command of basic grammar and written communication; use and care of firearms; Federal, California state, and local laws applicable to law enforcement; police department equipment, practices, and procedures; proper search and seizure and arrest procedures; geography of the City of Downey and the location of important buildings and streets; and, investigative procedures and techniques.

Ability to: Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; think and act quickly in emergencies and judge situations and people accurately; effectively analyze problems for an appropriate response under emergency or stress situations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; understand and interpret laws and regulations; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and, meet and maintain the physical requirements established by the Downey Police Department.
License Requirements: Due to the performance of field duties, possession of a valid California Driver's License and possession of an acceptable driving record and the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout the course of employment in the position is required.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.


Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust, dirt, and odors are conditions frequently encountered. Must constantly work with noise from traffic and police radio. Position requires availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call and overtime. Physical demands include constant arm and leg movements, driving, standing, and sitting for long periods of time. Bending, stooping, lifting, running, squatting and climbing is also required.
THE USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS EITHER ON OR OFF THE JOB IS PROHIBITED.
Selection/Testing Process: All employment applications and supplemental information received will be thoroughly and carefully reviewed and evaluated to determine the level and scope of the candidate's qualifications for the position. All information provided is subject to verification. Failure to provide the required documentation may result in an application being removed from consideration. Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" or attaching a resume is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Those applicants assessed as meeting the requirements for the position will be invited to participate in the testing/selection process which includes an appraisal examination (oral interview) to assess the applicant's knowledge, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position. The oral interview (weighted 100%) will be conducted by a panel of subject matter experts.

Candidate(s) who complete testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Prior to Conditional Offer of Employment, a comprehensive background investigation is conducted which includes a polygraph and fingerprinting. A pre-placement medical exam, including a drug screen and psychological examination will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment. The probationary period for a sworn Police Officer position is eighteen (18) months.

Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least 72 hours in advance of the need for accommodation.
To view the benefit summary for this position please click


The City of Downey is proudly committed to continuously improving the quality of life for the Downey community by providing excellent service in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner. Our values include Integrity, Commitment, Respect, Teamwork, Engagement, Passion, and Excellence.
01


Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Coursework beyond Bachelor's degree
• Master's Degree or higher

02


Are you currently enrolled in a full-time California Basic P.O.S.T. Academy?

• Yes
• No

03


If "Yes," what Academy and when are you expected to complete the Academy ? (MM/DD/YEAR)If "No," please write N/A in the response below.
04


If you have already completed a California P.O.S.T. Academy, what Academy and what was your date of completion? (MM/DD/YEAR) or N/A
05


Which of the following California P.O.S.T. Peace Officer Certificates do you possess? (Please check all that apply.)

• None
• Basic Certificate
• Intermediate Certificate
• Advanced Certificate
• Supervisory Certificate

06


Have you recently, within the past two (2) years, completed any course work in criminal justice or related to law enforcement?

• Yes
• No

07


If "Yes", what course(s) have you completed?
08


Which of the following best describes your years of full-time service a paid peace officer in a California P.O.S.T. approved agency?

• None
• None to six (6) months
• Six (6) months to one (1) year
• One (1) to two (2) years of experience
• Two (2) to three (3) years of experience
• Three (3) or more years of experience

09


Are you currently employed as full-time, paid peace officer in a P.O.S.T. approved agency in good standing?

• Yes
• No

10


What areas of assignment do you have experience working (i.e. narcotics, motor, training)?
11


What assignments are you interested in? (Please check all areas of interest.)

• Motor Officer
• Special Enforcement Team Officer
• Detective Division, including Narcotics and Crime Impact
• Accident Investigator
• Training Coordinator

12


Do you fluently speak and/or write any language(s) other than English?

• Yes
• No

13


If "Yes" which language(s)?
14


You will be required to undergo a thorough background investigation process as part of the selection process, and part of this process involves answering the following questions. Please read and answer all of the following questions. A "Yes" answer to any question on this questionnaire will not necessarily disqualify you from consideration for this position; however, any omissions, falsifications, misstatements, untruthful responses, or discrepancies may be cause for disqualification from the hiring/background process because law enforcement employees are held to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. By selecting "Yes" below you are acknowledging that you have read the above statement and understand that you must be complete, honest, and specific as possible in my responses to the following questions.

• Yes
• No

15


Disclosure of Medically-Related Information: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, at this stage of the application process applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or other disability-related information about themselves in response to questions on this form, or to any other inquiry made prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment. By selecting "Yes" below you are acknowledging that you have read the above statement and understand that you are not expected or required to reveal any medical or other disability-related information about yourself in response to the questions on this supplemental questionnaire.

• Yes
• No

16


Have you ever been convicted of any offense declared by law to be a felony in this state or any other state?

• Yes
• No

17


Have you used any federally illegally controlled substances within the last five (5) years? Please be aware that this question does not apply to any prior use of cannabis. The City is not seeking information from you about any prior use of cannabis (marijuana) in accordance with Government Code section 12954.

• Yes
• No

18


Have you been dishonorably or less than honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces?

• Yes
• No

19


Please utilize the space below to explain any "Yes" answers to questions twelve (12) through fourteen(14) above. Please organize your responses based on the question number and include all applicable information including dates. Please note that failure to provide an explanation for all "Yes" responses may result in disqualification from further consideration. If no "Yes" responses were provided please enter N/A.
20


In the space below please indicate the number of at fault vehicle accidents you have been involved in within the last five (5) years.
21


In the space below, please enter how many moving and non-moving traffic citations you have received in the last five (5) years.
Required Question