Police Officer Trainee

The Position

The City of Riverside Police Department is currently recruiting for highly motivated individuals for the position of Police Officer Trainee. This is a continuous recruitment. Applications will be reviewed and those who best meet the needs of the department will be invited to the next step in the selection process. Candidates who pass the application review will be required to pass an Online Multiple-Choice Exam, and those who pass the online exam will be invited to a Physical Agility Test (PAT), a review of the Personal History Statement (PHS), and an Interview. For more information regarding the application and selection process, click here. Candidates successful in the selection process will complete a P.O.S.T. approved basic academy. Upon graduation from the basic police academy, applicants will be promoted to the position of Police Officer. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for those wanting to grow and advance in their careers and make a difference in their life and the life of others. The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to selecting only those individuals who meet the highest of professional standards with a commitment to serving all members of their community with sensitivity, empathy, and impartiality. Police Officer Trainees under direct supervision, receive training in law enforcement related work that will lead to promotion to/or candidacy for a Police Officer position; display an awareness of and empathy towards all persons who they may come in contact with, and perform related duties as required. Annual salary upon promotion to Police Officer: $100,980.00. The City reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time without notice.

Work Performed

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive training at a POST approved Basic Police Academy in criminal and traffic investigation, laws of arrest, search and seizure, collection and preservation of evidence, report writing, first aide, arrest techniques, and use of firearms.
• Participate in the taking of comprehensive subject matter examinations, physical conditioning activities, and other law enforcement related training.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Ability to:

• Learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately.
• Use and care of firearms.
• 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 course of work.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Work overtime as needed.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education: Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade. Experience: None

POST Certification: Must possess or be eligible to obtain a Proof of Eligibility (POE) from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within ten (10) days of employment. Must be able to enroll in and successfully complete a POST Basic Peace Officer Academy within 12 months of hire. Must earn and maintain a Basic POST Certificate within 18-24 months of employment as a Police Officer.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Minimum age of 21 (At time of graduation from academy).
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Physical Agility Test Requirements:

• Run 1.5 miles in 13 minutes
• Run 5 yards to a 6-foot-high solid wall, climb over, and sprint 25 yards
• Run 5 yards to a 6-foot-high chain-link fence, climb over and sprint 25 yards
• Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, curb height obstacles and a 34-inch-high barricade
• Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy for 32 feet
• 30 sit-ups and 30 push-ups

Grooming Standards:

All applicants will present themselves in a professional manner throughout the entire testing process. This means no facial hair, ear plugs or hoop style earrings. Males will have a well-groomed haircut with the back of their hair no longer than the bottom of their natural neckline. Females will have their hair pulled back into a ponytail or a bun if their hair is long enough to do so.

Both male and female applicants will dress themselves in a suit or formal business attire. No T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts or sandals will be allowed as you are testing for a professional organization.

Tattoo Requirements:

All tattoos shall be covered by your business attire, and no temporary cover-ups will be accepted.

All listed standards and requirements indicated on this flyer will be strictly enforced as they are in accordance with our current department policies. We also reserve the right to remove any applicant from the process if these standards are not adhered to.

Selection Process

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an online multiple choice exam*. Applicants who achieve a passing score will be invited to participate in an oral interview**, and if successful, proceed to a Physical Agility Test (PAT) ***. As part of the screening process, candidates will also be required to complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) (Download PDF reader) Candidates who are successful in the online examination, oral interview, and physical agility test MAY be invited to continue in the process. Additional phases of selection include successfully passing a background investigation, a polygraph, a psychological evaluation, a medical evaluation and a drug testing. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification. * The City of Riverside reserves the right to modify the online multiple choice exam process as it sees necessary.

** For the interview, applicants will be required to wear professional business attire and present themselves in an appropriate professional manner.

*** For the PAT, appropriate clothing should be worn. Shorts or loose-fitting clothes that do not restrict arm and leg movements, along with a comfortable athletic shoe, are suggested. Suggestion: Candidates seeking to practice the Physical Agility Test (PAT) in preparation for the test, may do so by visiting Bordwell Park, located at 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd, Riverside, CA 92507. Please be respectful of the park community at all times. POST Standards Requirements: Any visual defect must correct to 20/20 in both eyes. If soft contacts have been worn successfully for 3 months any defect is acceptable if corrected to 20/20. Must have passing score on color blindness test and depth perception. Applicants must be able to pass the POST Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Weight must be in proportion to height as determined by a physician. It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

IMPORTANT: Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, medical/physical examination, and drug and alcohol test; and may be subject to polygraph examination, and/or psychological examination As part of the background investigation, all claims of education and experience made in the employment application process, as well as other information submitted, will be verified. Appointed candidates are required to submit an official copy of educational transcripts verifying obtained degrees or certificates as indicated on the employment application.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list. Some candidates may be disqualified indefinitely due to the results of their background investigation.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

The City of Riverside does not reimburse any expenses incurred as a result of this recruitment. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.