Police Officer Recruit

Salary : $98,883.20 - $122,512.00 Annually
Location : Downey, CA
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 25-001
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/10/2025


ABOUT THE POSITION
NOTE: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. Testing will be conducted based on a reasonable pool of qualified applicants. Please thoroughly review the entire job flyer including the application instructions. Failure to submit a completed application and provide required documentation may result in an application being removed from further consideration.
The Police Officer Recruit is a non-sworn training position. An incumbent is required to complete a formal and comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Basic Academy training program sponsored by the City of Downey. A full-time Basic Academy can be approximately four to six months. Upon completion of training and graduation from the Academy with acceptable class standing, a candidate is eligible for placement consideration in the position of sworn Police Officer with the City of Downey.

ABOUT THE POLICE ACADEMY: The Academy provides training in basic criminal investigation processes and techniques; preparation of various reports; analysis of situations to make appropriate decisions under stressful situations; testify and present evidence in court, and practices and theory in criminal and civil law enforcement.

A qualified candidate for the Police Recruit position must be prepared and available to attend a full-time Basic Academy.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to each classification.

Police Recruit - While enrolled in the Police Basic Academy an incumbent must:

• Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer, including training in report writing, laws of arrest and seizure, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival, and physical fitness.
• Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program.
• Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct.

Sworn Police Officer - Following graduation from the Academy and upon appointment to the position, essential duties include:

• Upon completion of the Academy, sworn police officer will be assigned to a 22-week POST approved Field Training program. During the field training process, the employee must show proficiency in City orientation, patrol and safety tactics, traffic enforcement, applicable laws, departmental policies and procedures and other police related functions.
• Upon completion of the FTO program 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Successfully complete the City of Downey Police Department Field Training Program; requires the ability to meet and maintain POST physical standards; possess analytical and decision making skills and ability to identify problems, weigh solutions, recognize alternatives and their implications independently and quickly; possess interpersonal skills to effectively interact with those encountered in the performance of duties, specifically within a diverse population, including surrounding communities; skill in speaking clearly using appropriate vocabulary to provide information and relate evidence in court; ability to exercise authority in both physical and verbal actions in activities which may involve hostility and resistance; skill and ability to write accurate and descriptive reports; and, skill in using a personal computer and keyboard. Ability to learn and maintain acceptable working knowledge, including safety considerations on the operation and use of assigned equipment and tools required in the performance of duties.


License Requirement: Due to the performance of field patrol 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 during the course of employment is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 21 years of age upon appointment
• Of good moral character and free of felony convictions
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

Experience and Education: No previous law enforcement experience or Police Academy training required. High school diploma or equivalent required. Completed formal education or coursework in criminal justice or a related field that provides knowledge or exposure to law enforcement or public safety service is helpful.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL TASKS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Exposure to slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust, dirt, and odors are conditions frequently encountered. An incumbent must constantly work with noise from traffic and police radio. Position requires ability to work in cramped spaces or run, jump, vault or climb as needed to apprehend a suspect. An incumbent must be available to work weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call and overtime.


Physical demands include constant arm and leg movements for driving, walking, standing, and sitting for short and prolonged periods of time, bending, stooping, lifting, running, jumping, leaning, squatting, climbing, crouching, kneeling, crawling, turning, and twisting. The ability to safely push, pull, carry, drag up to 100 pounds with or without assistance is required. The ability to reach above and below shoulder level; both light and firm grasping; finger dexterity to hold and handle a revolver and pull the trigger, operate a computer terminal or keyboard, operate patrol vehicle controls switches for lights, sirens or public address system, and to manually check weapons or perform safety checks to maintain operational condition is required. To operate a police vehicle, foot manipulation to operate accelerator or brake pedals with the right or left foot or to use the foot as an aide to control suspect's foot while patting down a suspect is required. The ability to feel for patting down suspect's body, to determine level of warmth to test or confirm evidence of fire, or feel body for warmth or pulse, seeing, hearing, seeing, and smelling is required. The ability to see with both eyes (correctable to 20/20), including the ability to distinguish colors; ability to hear within normal limits, speak, and smell. The ability to talk to order suspects to halt and to drop any weapons, to communicate and warn other officers of a dangerous situation, to conduct field interviews with suspects or witnesses, and to talk on the police radio to indicate status of incident and other vital details is required. Physical duties of the position may expose an incumbent to blood, other bodily fluids, or communicable diseases.

Non-Smoking Policy: In an effort to promote wellness, the City of Downey Police Department prohibits safety employees from the use of tobacco products either on or off the job.


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 the City of Downey information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

APPLICATION REVIEW & SELECTION TESTING PROCESS

All candidate application materials and supplemental information will be reviewed and assessed. Those applicants that meet the requirements as listed above will be invited to participate in the examination process which will consist of the following:


PART EXAM WEIGHT DATE*
I
WrittenPass/FailNoted deadline
An applicant must receive a minimum score of 70% in each of the examination components in order to continue in the selection process.


II
Physical AgilityPass/Fail
Third Saturday of every other month
III
Technical Interview100%Following Thursday of scheduled Physical Agility
*Examination dates are subject to change based on the number of qualified candidates testing.

Application Review - An employment application and supplemental questionnaire is required. All information provided is subject to verification. Incomplete applications will be removed from consideration. A thorough and complete review of all applications received will be conducted. Those applicants who are assessed as meeting the position qualifications and desired background experience for successful performance in the position of Police Recruit and sworn Police Officer will be invited to continue in the selection process. 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.

PART I: Qualifying Written Examination - Applicants successful in Part I listed above will be invited, via email to the written examination. The written exam will be a 100 item multiple choice test.


THE WRITTEN EXAM WILL BE WAIVED FOR CANDIDATES THAT HAVE TAKEN THE CALIFORNIA P.O.S.T. PELLET-B EXAM WITHING ONE (1) YEAR OF DATE OF APPLICATION AND RECEIVED A T-SCORE OF 42. CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO ATTACH PROOF OF THEIR QUALIFYING T-SCORE ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD FROM THE AGENCY THAT ADMINISTERED THE EXAM WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

PART II: Qualifying Physical Agility (Pass/Fail) : Those applicants meeting the required pass point on the written examination will be invited, via email, to the qualifying physical agility assessment. The physical agility assessment is evaluated on a point basis. The components of the physical agility are:

• 1.5 mile run (Max time allowance 15 minutes)
• 500 yard run (Max time 3 minutes and 19 seconds)
• Climbing over six-foot walls (chain link and solid wall)
• 99 yard obstacle course
• Lifting and dragging a dummy
• 30 pushups (Max time allowance 2 minutes)
• 30 sit-ups (Max time allowance 2 minutes)

PART III: Appraisal Examination - An applicant who passes the Qualifying Physical Agility will then be invited, via email, to participate in an Appraisal Examination. This testing component will assess the candidate's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to successfully perform in the position. This examination will be a panel interview will be conducted by subject matter experts.

Eligible List: The names of those candidates who complete selection testing with acceptable results will be placed on the Eligible List for the position of Recruit/Police Officer. The duration of the List is generally one year but may be exhausted sooner dependent upon the targeted Police Academy program schedule selected by the Downey Police Department.


Prior to an employment offer, a comprehensive background investigation, including a polygraph exam and fingerprinting through the California Department of Justice will be conducted. A psychological assessment will be scheduled following the completion of the background investigation with acceptable results. Upon the issuance of a conditional offer of employment, a job related pre-placement medical exam with the City's industrial medical provider is required and will include a drug screen.

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


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

02


Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed formal education?

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Coursework beyond Bachelor's degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None

03


Are you at least 20 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04


Have you completed any coursework within the past two (2) years in criminal justice or related field?

• Yes
• No

05


If "Yes" please indicate the coursework you have completed.
06


Have you completed any training within the past two (2) years related to law enforcement/criminal justice?

• Yes
• No

07


If "Yes" please indicate the training you have completed, when, and where.
08


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

09


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

• Yes
• No

10


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

11


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

• Yes
• No

12


Please utilize the space below to explain any "Yes" answers to questions nine (9) through eleven (11) 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.
13


In the space below please indicate the number of at fault vehicle accidents you have been involved in within the last five (5) years.
14


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