Police Officer Recruit

Anchored in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada - 20 miles east of Sacramento and about 1.5 hours from Lake Tahoe - the City of Folsom is comprised of beautiful parks and trails, and boasts excellent schools, family-orientated neighborhoods, and outstanding shopping, dining, and cultural options. Folsom is a high-tech, forward-looking city, with firms ranging from small to large international corporations. Voted by WalletHub as the Best Place for Families to Live in California, and 2nd Best Lake Town in America, Folsom is recognized for its affordability, fair weather, education, and health. Folsom’s schools were recognized among the best in Sacramento County. 

The City of Folsom is recruiting for a Police Officer Recruit. The selected candidate would be slated to attend the six (6) month Sacramento Police Academy's class starting July 2027, and hopefully the pre-Academy in June 2027.

This is the trainee level of the Police Officer series. Police Officer Recruit is a non-sworn class. New hires will be enrolled in a local POST-certified Police Academy paid for by the City. During training at the academy, Recruits will receive pay and benefits. Upon successful graduation, Police Officer Recruit meeting the requirements of the Police Officer classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Police Officer, Pre-service (non-exempt, represented). Subsequent to academy graduation, employees shall continue working for the Folsom Police Department for a minimum of two (2) years. If the employee resigns voluntarily from the Folsom Police Department prior to the two (2) years, academy costs shall be repaid by the employee.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Receive immediate supervision from academy staff, sworn officers, supervisors and management. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Police Officer Recruit is designed to attract persons with the potential for development and interest in a law enforcement career, but who do not have a State of California POST Certificate or current California POST Academy training.   

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Each component listed below must be passed to continue to the next phase. Completion of the selection process may take up to six (6) months. The new hire would be slated to attend the Sacramento Police Academy's class starting JULY 2027. 

1. PELLETB (POST Entry-Level Enforcement Test Battery): EARLY DECEMBER (exam with T-Score of 45 or better). Candidates with valid PELLETB test results with completion dates within one (1) year from the application closing date of November 29, 2026, are encouraged to attach verifiable proof of exam score with their application.
2. Physical Agility Exam: TBD 
3. Panel Interviews: TBD (candidates will be contacted by HR to schedule)
4. Lieutenant Interviews: TBD
5. Police Chief's Interviews: TBD
6. Psychological, Medical Examinations, Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination (upon conditional offer of employment)

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

DUTIES 

• Attend and successfully complete a POST approved Police Officer training academy in which the recruit will apply, through controlled training scenarios, the essential duties and functions of a police officer
• Preform other duties as assigned.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Write clear, concise and comprehensive reports using correct English and grammar.
• Read, understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Acquire the physical and emotional skills needed to successfully complete the POST police academy.
• Analyze situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action under pressure.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Use computer and related software.
• Learn the use and care of equipment.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Learn the use and care for firearms and other equipment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education:
High School Diploma or G.E.D. An Associate's degree or higher is highly encouraged.
 
Experience:
None required.
 
The Police Officer Recruit is required to satisfactorily complete a POST Basic Academy during the first year of employment.  Upon completion of the academy, the recruit will be reclassified to the sworn Police Officer (Pre-Service) class.
 
Other Requirements:

• Must be 21 years of age or older by the filing deadline.
• Must possess, and be able to maintain, a valid California Class C driver's license or higher and have the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy.
• Must pass the physical agility test, background investigation, polygraph examination, criminal history review, psychological examination, medical examination, and pass (or have completed within the previous one year, the POST Entry-Level Enforcement Test Battery exam with a T-Score of at least 45.
• Free of felony convictions under California Government Code Section 1029.

Physical:
Work may require sitting for prolonged periods of time, at a desk or in a patrol vehicle; walk, stand, climb, jump and run during patrol activities; bend, squat, crawl and kneel during inspection of crime scenes or conducting building searches; climb stairs and/or ladders while in the field; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, lifting, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; based on current POST entry level requirement drag a body for 25 feet; continuously wear utility belt and other police equipment of 30 pounds; occasionally arrest violent combative subjects; wear CBRN gas masks and protective clothing; vision (may be corrected) includes close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus to operate office equipment and computer screens; hearing (may be corrected) of conversations in person, by telephone, and at meetings. 
 
Environment:
Incumbents in this class must be willing to work a variety of shift schedules including 8, 9, 10, and 12-hour shift configurations; work irregular hours, holidays and weekends.  Work outside exposed to wide temperature swings and inclement weather; low to moderate noise level; exposure to fumes, odors, dust, airborne particles and bodily fluids.