Police Officer Trainee

The Position

Join the Santa Cruz Police Department team for a career that offers excitement, growth opportunities, great coworkers and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. Why SCPD? The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe.

Under direct supervision, the Police Officer Trainee attends an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities required to perform police service; performs related duties as required. The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Trainee candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Trainee level does not require previous law enforcement experience. Excellent benefits including hiring bonus, educational incentives and bilingual pay are just part of the package you will have access to. Trainees attend an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills and physical capabilities. The salary for Police Officer Trainees is $7,231 per month. Upon successful completion of the academy, Trainees become sworn police officers. The starting salary for sworn Police Officers is $8,578 per month.

Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are over 90 sworn officers assigned to such areas as patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigation, and undercover task force assignments. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must complete and submit passing 1) POST PELLETB results with a score of 46 or higher AND 2) California POST physical agility certificate (WSTB) with a score of 384 or higher and completion of a 1.5 mile run in 15-minute maximum time. Already taken and passed the PELLETB? If you have taken the exam in calendar years 2025 or 2026, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application. How do I prepare? Check out Copy of PELLT-B Study Resources (Download PDF reader) or visit 2) California POST physical agility test certificate (Also known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB): For WSTB exam, dates and locations please visit If you have already taken the WSTB within calendar years 2025-2026 with a score of 384 or higher and the 1.5 mile run with a 15-minute max time, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official agency letter with your test results to your City application. How to prepare? Check out Practice Agility Sessions : For more information or questions: For additional general information on the POST PELLETB and WSTB exams, please visit: For more information about the position, contact the Santa Cruz Police Department recruiting team at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Candidate Application and Selection Process

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• Apply Now with required application materials:
  1. Application - apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely.
  2. Responses to the supplemental questions
  3. Attachment of WSTB results AND Pellet B results
     • Candidates must submit with their application the following two test results:
       1. POST PELLETB T-score of 46.0 or higher.
       2. Possession of a California POST Physical Agility Test certificate, known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), with a score of 384 or higher and a 15-minute maximum time for the 1.5 mile run.
• Application screening will be conducted continuously: Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position plus the Pellet B T-score and WSTB score results.
  • Request to submit Personal History Statement: Candidates with a fully completed application and meeting Minimum Qualifications and who attached passing POST T-score and WSTB scores will be directed to fill out the Sworn version of the Personal History Statement (Download PDF reader) form (PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification. This is a lengthy document; if you wish to work on this ahead of time, the form is available on the City website. See our agency's customized instructions on filling out and submitting a PHS. You must wait until requested to submit a Personal History Statement, but you may review the form and reasons for disqualification and work on this document ahead of time here City website.
  • Oral Interview Panel
  • Background Investigation and polygraph examination
  • Interview with the Chief of Police
  • Psychological Examination
  • Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

Pay Incentives

Yes, there are pay incentives! HIRING BONUS: New Police Officer Trainees will receive up to $10,000 in payments of $1,250 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1,250 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $2,500 at 3.5 years post hire.

EDUCATIONAL BONUS: New Police Officers who have a two-year college degree (AA or AS) will receive a $2,500 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation. New Police Officers who have a four-year college degree (BA or BS) will receive a $5,000 education bonus at the end of successful completion of probation. If Police Officers also have an AA or AS, they will receive only the higher incentive.

EDUCATIONAL TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: After employment, employees are eligible to be reimbursed up to $500 per fiscal year for tuition and books upon successful completion of City-approved college or university courses or other courses directly related to an employee's job duties. To be eligible for reimbursement, employees must receive approval of the Chief of Police prior to attending classes and comply with applicable department and City regulations. BILINGUAL PAY: For bilingual speaking skills, Police Officers are eligible for 5% differential of base pay per month, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the approval of the Director of Human Resources. To qualify for this compensation, employees must be certified by the Human Resources Director as conversant in a foreign language utilized frequently in the line of duty. EMPLOYEE REFERAL INCENTIVES: If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the "City Employee" box where the application asks for the recruitment source and provide the referring employee name(s) as well. The referring employee's name(s) must be listed on the application for consideration for the employee to receive the referral incentive.

Background Investigation and Polygraph Test

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a