Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainee

Start your career in law enforcement with the City of Barstow! Are you ready to make a difference in your community while building a rewarding and respected career? The City of Barstow Police Department is seeking dedicated, service-oriented individuals to join our team as Police Officer Trainees. This is an exceptional opportunity for motivated candidates who are passionate about public service, community engagement, and protecting the citizens of Barstow.

As a Police Officer Trainee, you will embark on an exciting career path by attending a Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Police Academy, where you will receive comprehensive training in criminal law, patrol procedures, investigations, emergency response, defensive tactics, first aid, physical fitness, and modern law enforcement practices. Upon successful completion of the academy, trainees will be prepared to transition into a sworn Police Officer position and begin serving alongside dedicated professionals committed to excellence, integrity, and community partnership. Join a department that values teamwork, professionalism, and personal growth while providing the training and support needed to launch a successful career in law enforcement. If you are ready to accept the challenge and answer the call to serve, we encourage you to apply today.

Essential Functions

The Police Officer Trainee is distinguished from Police Officer in that the trainee attends an approved law enforcement academy. Upon successful completion of academy, trainee will be sworn in as a Police Officer with all duties empowered with a sworn police officer.

• This is the training classification for law enforcement in the City of Barstow. This is an entry-level non-sworn classification and upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T. approved academy, a Police Officer Trainee may be appointed to the Police Officer classification.
• At least 20 years of age at the time of application and 21 years of age at time of graduation from P.O.S.T. approved academy.
• Upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T. approved academy, the selected applicant must successfully complete a probationary period upon promotion into the Police Officer position.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: effective verbal and written communication, including active listening and clear articulation; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public; the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; modern office equipment, including a computer and applicable software.

Skills and Abilities to: communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; follow oral and written instructions; maintain a high level of physical fitness to handle the physical demands of the job; notice details and accurately recalling information; make ethical and effective decisions under pressure; adjust to new and changing environments and situations; follow rules, regulations, and procedures; work effectively as part of a team and supporting colleagues; relate well, communicate, and work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders who represent a range of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Qualifications

• At least 20 years of age at the time of application and 21 years of age at time of graduation from the police academy.
• A United States high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from a United States institution.
• California Driver's License.
• United States citizenship.
• Upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Basic Police Officer Training Academy, the selected applicant must successfully complete a probationary period upon promotion into the Police Officer position.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in an outdoor environment. Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation. Very Heavy Work: exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.

Benefits

The City of Barstow provides a generous benefit package as described in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Bargaining Unit 3 (Barstow Police Officers' Association):

Uniform Allowance:

• Upon completion of the one-year probationary period as a Police Officer, the City agrees to provide each member assigned to the Uniform Bureau regularly a uniform allowance of $1,200 per year.
• Police officers shall receive $1,200 per year for the purchase of uniforms and other official apparel.
• Police Officers assigned to SRT and CNT shall receive an additional %500 annually for uniforms.

Shift Differential Pay:

• Members shall be eligible for a two-and-a-half percent (2.5%) shift differential when assigned to work outside of the traditional hours between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM and meet the following criteria:
• Members who are assigned to work a majority (51% or more) of their assigned shift between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 AM shall be compensated at a rate of two and a half percent (2.5%) of the member's regular hourly rate of pay

Bilingual Services Pay:

• Members hired prior to July 1, 2011, are eligible to receive a five percent (5%) increase over their base wage rate as bilingual services pay.
• Members hired after July 1, 2011, will be eligible to receive a $100 per month (approximately $55.38 per pay period) as bilingual services pay.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Member will be eligible for tuition reimbursement of up to $1,000 per fiscal year.

Post/Educational Incentive:

• 45 semester units or 68 quarterly units: $46 per month
• Associate of Arts/Science Degree or POST Intermediate Certificate: 5.0% increase over base wage rate
• Bachelor of Arts/Science Degree or POST Advance Certificate: 7.5% increase over base wage rate

Special Assignment Pay:

• When assigned to Detective, Special Response TEAM (SRT), Canine Officer, or when assigned to Crime Impact Team, member shall receive a five percent (5%) increase over their base wage rate.
• If a member is assigned to two (2) separate Special Assignments, the member would be eligible for both Special Assignment Pays under the same terms and conditions.
• If a member is assigned as a School Resources Officer or Mall Officer, shall receive a five percent increase over the base wage rate.

Holidays:

• Will receive fifteen (15) days of holiday leave time each year
• Winter Holiday Hours: December 26, December 29, and December 30.

Cafeteria Plan:

• Members who elect to receive medical coverage through the City will receive a monthly allowance based on the enrolled medical benefit coverage elected.
• Employee Only: is eligible for a monthly allowance of $1,100 per month
• Employee plus 1: is eligible for a monthly allowance of $1,50 per month
• Employee plus family: is eligible for a monthly allowance of $1,900 per month
• Members hired prior to January 6, 2026, who can provide proof of medical insurance coverage through an alternative source shall be eligible to receive $750 per month
• Members hired after January 6, 2026, who can provide proof of medical insurance coverage through an alternative source shall be eligible to receive $2,000 annually (approximately $76.92 per pay period)

Additional standard benefits include:

• Dental and Vision Insurance
• CalPERS Retirement