Police Officer Recruit

The Position

You must have taken and passed the Police Officer Recruit examination for further consideration. To take the examination, click here. Please note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position. Applicants applying to this posting will be hired as a Police Officer Recruit and must successfully complete a twenty-four (24) week P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy. Upon satisfactory graduation from a P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy, a Police Officer Recruit meeting the requirements of the Police Officer classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Police Officer.

Under close supervision, Police Officer Recruits participate in a basic law enforcement training program, at the Sacramento Police Academy. Police Officer Recruits gain an understanding of police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, and acquire physical and emotional skills needed to successfully complete the police academy and may perform non-sworn, non-hazardous duties in support of a variety of police operations.

Distinguishing characteristics of the Police Officer Recruit include undergoing a formal, comprehensive training program in a State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Police Academy conducted by the Sacramento Police Department to prepare for performing duties in support of police operations. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in the required physical agility testing component prior to and during the academy. On-going physical training will be a required skill set for any successful incumbent. Upon satisfactory graduation from a P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy, a Police Officer Recruit meeting the requirements of the Police Officer classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Police Officer. Incumbents promoted to CSO II at time of completion of the POST Basic Police Academy, are expected to attend accredited college level courses in order to satisfy the minimum qualification requirements of the Police Officer classification within their limited-term appointment. Employees shall not be classified as Police Officer Recruit for more than one year from the date of hire unless the employee was unsuccessful in an Academy and the employee is invited to participate in an additional academy. Advancement to Police Officer or Community Service Officer II is dependent upon satisfactory job performance. Failure to graduate from the Police Academy and/or failure to meet satisfactory progress within the prescribed training period will be cause for termination.

Immediate supervision is provided by higher-level sworn or civilian personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Learn and apply knowledge of the Sacramento Police Department's organization, chain of command, and rules and regulations.
• Learn, identify and emulate principles and techniques that promote community service, crime prevention, and appropriate behavior.
• Learn and apply knowledge of enforcement and procedural aspects of criminal law and the legal obligations inherent in enforcement of those laws.
• Learn and apply knowledge of proficient application of the rules of evidence. Receive training in and practice effective and professional communications through written, oral, and mechanical media.
• Learn to recognize vehicle violations, locating the violations in the Vehicle Code, and under supervision, safely and professionally contact the violator.
• Participate and assist in applying basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and witness interrogation.
• Learn and practice physical fitness and defense techniques programs.
• Learn and practice first-aid, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation techniques.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification. Duties may include, but are not limited to, assisting in routine investigations; assisting in preparing non-injury police reports; assisting in responding to fire alarms, street hazards and found property calls; assisting in traffic and non-violent crowd control duties; as directed transporting citizens, personnel and equipment.

Qualifications

Ability to:

• Acquire, through training, knowledge of modern approved principles, practices, and procedures of police work, state laws, City ordinances, first-aid, the geography of the City, and the location of important buildings.
• Write clearly, accurately, concisely, legibly, and with correct English grammatical construction and spelling.
• Read and interpret complex technical documents in English. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Observe, assimilate, remember, record, and recall pertinent facts and details. Read maps and mapped information.
• Apply selected knowledge (i.e., laws, statutes, court decisions, department policies, criminal investigation theories, etc.) in collecting, organizing, and analyzing a variety of information in order to decide on an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
• Analyze problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take effective action in emergency and stress situations.
• Plan and effectively present material orally to diverse groups. Deal courteously but firmly with the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other City employees.
• Undergo strenuous physical conditioning.

Experience and Education:

Education: High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent

Experience: No experience required.

The Selection Procedure

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on 40 hours per week (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Supplemental documents such as resume, cover letter, and proof of certification are highly preferred and recommended at the time of application submission. Documents should be submitted to the City of Sacramento Employment Office as attachment(s) via online with the employment application, emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io. If submitting via email, please include your name on your documents.
• Applicants are responsible for attaching proof of certification, and/or license to each position for which they apply. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.
• Optional - send a valid and legible copy of your previous result letter to the City of Sacramento Human Resources (refer to Test Exemption section below).
• If you are currently on an active Eligible (PASS) List for the Police Officer Recruit position, it is unnecessary to reapply and/or retake the Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam for this position. Each Eligible (PASS) List is active for two (2) years from the date it is established.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline ;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.

3. Online Exam: (Pass/Fail)- Candidates must have taken and passed the online examination with a score of 70% for further consideration. Only applicants who have successfully passed the City of Sacramento's Entry Level Law Enforcement Examination will be referred to the department after the final filing deadline. The online examination will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the knowledge and abilities as outlined above. Candidates can access the examination at any time by visiting the City of Sacramento's Examination's website:

4. Eligibility : Candidates who pass the online examination will be placed on the eligible list. Candidate's eligibility expires two years