Police Officer - Entry/Cadet (Trainee)

SAFETY. COMMUNITY. PROFESSIONALISM. LEADERSHIP. INTEGRITY.

Interviews for qualified candidates will be scheduled once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.  

It is recommended that candidates submit their application as soon as possible as the recruitment may close at any time.

The City is accepting applications from candidates who would like to have the City sponsor them through a recognized police academy.  

As a Police Officer Trainee, you will attend a six (6) month POST certified Police Academy starting in March 2027 to receive education and training in all aspects of law enforcement. The entry/cadet (trainee) candidates are appointed to a probationary status at $6,323.61 per month until successful completion of a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy.  Upon successful completion of the academy, you will have the opportunity to be sworn in and promoted to the position of Police Officer.

After successful completion of the academy,  the new Police Officers begins a 12-month probationary period. They will work under the direction of experienced Field Training Officers (FTOs) to prepare for patrol duties.  Upon completion of an approximately 16-week FTO program, you may patrol designated areas of the City, investigate crimes against persons or property, make arrests, and enforce traffic regulations.  Responsibilities of Police Officers also include writing police reports, testifying in court, and performing other related law enforcement duties.

This recruitment will serve to establish an eligibility list that will be used to fill future vacancies over the next 12-month period. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact Lt. Heinemeyer at (707) 746-4249 or email at [email protected]

A complete job description for this position can be found HERE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and ability would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and ability would be:

Education: 
 

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.

Experience: 

• No experience in law enforcement is required for Entry/Cadet (Trainee) level.

License and/or Certifications:
 

• Must possess and maintain a valid and appropriate driver's license as issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Must successfully complete the certified POST Basic Academy course of instruction as a condition of continued employment. 

Other:

• T-Score of at least 45 on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) within 12 months prior to application submission. 
• Must be able to successfully complete a POST physical ability test. 
• Minimum age of 21 years by date of employment.
• Must be of good moral character to be determined through a thorough and comprehensive background investigation, which will be conducted under P.O.S.T. guidelines.
• Must have no record of felony criminal convictions or misdemeanor convictions which could affect credibility as a witness in a court of law.
• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and have the ability to meet the standards of stature, endurance, agility and general physical requirements as outlined in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual, as well as pass a polygraph and psychological screening, background investigation, written, oral and physical agility examinations.
• Must adhere to P.O.S.T. Police Code of Ethics, display loyalty to the department, City government and the community.

For more information and requirements for POST, please click HERE

For more information and requirements for the Physical Ability Test, please click HEREAPPLICATION PROCESS:

This recruitment is open and continuous. Interested applicants should apply as soon as possible as the recruitment may close at any time. Qualified applicants will then be invited to the first step in our hiring process. 

A completed City of Benicia application and supplemental questionnaire must be received by the Human Resources Department by the closing of this recruitment. 

IMPORTANT: Copies (clear and legible) of the following documents must be attached at the time of application:

• Proof of a T-Score of at least 45 on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB).  The PELLETB must be dated within 12 months of application submittal. 

*PELLET B Tests are not conducted by the City of Benicia at this time. Please contact a local Police Academy for test options.*

Please note: If you do not attach proper documentation to your application, you will not be invited to move on to the next steps in the hiring process. 

Applicants are expected to accurately document their related experience and any training, education, and/or skills relevant to this position. Applicants should respond to all supplemental questions, even if the information is also contained in the application.

Entry/Cadet (Trainee) candidates must pass all elements of the pre-employment screening exams (which include written & physical agility, oral board interview, background investigation, and pre-placement medical screening, including a drug screen in order to be eligible for police academy sponsorship).

SELECTION PROCESS:

Application materials will be carefully evaluated; applicants who document possession of experience and education which most closely meet the requirements of the position will be invited to participate in the next phase of the selection process.

Prior to appointment, candidates must pass a thorough background investigation and a pre-placement medical screening, including a drug screen.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.

If, due to a disability, you need accommodations at any point during the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 746-4766.