Police Trainee

Police Officer Trainee

The Town of Los Gatos is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Trainee. Hourly rate $62.8870 per hour plus retirement and medical health benefits through CalPERS. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply early as this recruitment may close at any time without notice. Are you interested in a law enforcement career? The Police Officer Trainee position is a non-sworn position for individuals who have not yet attended a police academy. If selected, the Town will compensate you at an hourly rate while you attend the Police Academy as a Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department-sponsored trainee. Read the "Attending a P.O.S.T. Police Academy" section in this job announcement for more information on what to expect. Already enrolled in a Police Academy? You are welcome to apply to this job posting.

Selected candidates must:

• Have a high school degree, GED, AA or 4-year college degree or higher.
• Have at least 60 college semester units or 90 college quarter units from an accredited college.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Submit Pellet-B and WSTB scores dated within one year with a minimum passing score of 42.
• Successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including, but not limited to criminal history; Department of Justice fingerprinting; medical exam, including drug screening; polygraph; and psychological exam.
• Attend and successfully complete a California P.O.S.T. approved basic academy. The Academy is about 26 weeks long (or 928 hour) long and covers all aspects of police work.
• Participate in rigorous physical, academic, and tactical training to prepare for the demands of a Police Officer role.
• Learn and understand state and local laws, ordinances, and departmental policies.
• Develop skills in de-escalation, community interaction, investigation techniques, and report writing.
• Perform related duties as required and directed by academy instructors and department leadership.

Benefits Police Officer Trainees are temporary Town employees eligible to enroll in medical health benefits. They receive retirement benefits through CalPERS, Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and paid sick leave (5 days). After the Academy Upon successful completion and graduation from the Academy, you will be eligible to join the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department family as a sworn Police Officer and take part in an 18-month probationary period and field training program (FTO) before assuming the responsibility of a solo patrol officer. You will also receive benefits at the Public Safety formula as outlined in the POA Benefit Summary. The Department has a culture of promoting from within and offers different opportunities to broaden and gain specialized experience. The Police Officer classification series offers career growth opportunities for both new professionals and those with more work experience.

Hourly Salary Range Plus excellent benefits as outlined in the POA Benefit Summary AND salary increases scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026.

Effective July 2025

Police Officer Trainee: $60.4683

Police Officer: $63.6508 to $77.3680

Police Corporal: $66.8155 to $81.2147

Police Sergeant: $80.5364 to 93.2310

Effective July 2026

Police Officer Trainee: $62.8870

Police Officer: $66.1968 to $80.4626

Police Corporal: $69.4881 to $84.4632

Police Sergeant: $83.7579 to $96.9603 - Specialized Assignments (receive additional 5% incentive pay)

Canine Officer

School Resource Officer

Motorcycle Officer

Field Training Officer (FTO)

Investigations

About the Department

The Town of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno have a combined population of about 34,000 residents who enjoy a high quality of life with low crime rates. The LGMS Police Department is budgeted for 39 sworn and 21 civilian personnel and has over 50 community volunteers. The members of the LGMS Police Department work hard to provide a full range of services. They are committed to providing our residents, businesses, and visitors with the highest quality service. We are proud of the relationship with our community and are constantly solidifying that relationship through partnerships, collaboration, and individual contacts.

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.

Providing exceptional Law Enforcement services

Building Community Partnerships

Engaging the Community in Problem Solving

Attending a P.O.S.T. Police Academy

Attending a police academy is a rigorous, transformative experience designed to equip recruits with the physical, mental, and practical skills needed for a career in law enforcement. The Academy will help you build the necessary skills, confidence, and knowledge to be a responsible law enforcement officer. Recruits should expect physical and mental challenges but leave equipped for the role's demands.

Physical Training Intensity: Physical fitness is a cornerstone of academy life. Expect early mornings, intense workouts, and regular physical assessments. Activities include running, strength training, obstacle courses, and defensive tactics.

Endurance & Agility: Recruits will work on building endurance, strength, and agility to meet specific fitness standards, essential for handling the physical demands of police work.

Academic Curriculum Classroom Instruction: You'll learn about criminal law, constitutional law, civil rights, ethics, and public service.

Tests & Exams: Expect rigorous testing to ensure understanding, covering everything from legal principles to procedural regulations.

Real-World Scenarios: Recruits will often practice what they learn in realistic simulations, such as traffic stops, searches, and arrests, to solidify classroom knowledge.

Skills Training Firearms Training: Safely handling, shooting, and maintaining firearms is a significant part of academy training.

Driving: High-speed pursuits and defensive driving techniques are covered to prepare recruits for safe, effective driving.

Communication: Verbal de-escalation, conflict resolution, and interview techniques are emphasized, as clear communication is key to policing.

Mental Resilience Stress Management: Officers must learn to handle high-stress situations calmly. The academy will challenge recruits emotionally and mentally to build resilience.

Decision-Making: Training includes exercises that simulate high-pressure decisions, preparing recruits to act decisively in unpredictable environments.

Discipline & Professionalism Uniform Standards: Attention to detail, from uniform maintenance to punctuality and protocol adherence, is critical.

Ethics & Conduct: Upholding integrity and understanding ethical obligations in law enforcement are drilled throughout the training.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Candidates must meet all of the following:

1. Possess a high school degree or equivalent OR higher
2. Completed at least 60 semester college credits or 90 quarter college credits from a U.S. accredited college or university at the time of graduation from the academy. (Police Academy credits are accepted as part of the education on requirements)
3. Must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment as a sworn Police Officer
4. Candidates must complete a Pellet-B examination within one year of application and complete a WSTB examination dated within one year.
5. Possession of a valid California Driver's License at time of appointment.

Work Experience: No experience is required; however, candidates with prior internship or experience in a government/municipal public safety department are highly desirable.

Desired Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Ability to fluently speak and understand a foreign language.

Application and Selection Process

To be considered for this career opportunity, please complete an application online by clicking "Apply" at the top of this announcement. If this is your first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account; otherwise log in with your username and password. Your application, and responses to the supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. A resume may be attached to your application but it will not substitute for a completed application. The information