Under immediate supervision, actively participates in the P.O.S.T. (Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) prescribed police academy training program; performs all related learning and testing activities. Upon successful completion of the academy program incumbents of this non-sworn classification may be appointed to the sworn classification of Police Officer.

Receives immediate supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no supervision of staff.

This is the entry level, training classification for professional law enforcement in the City of Westminster Police Department. This is a non-sworn classification and upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T. approved academy, a Police Recruit may be promoted to the Police Officer classification.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Learns and applies knowledge of the Westminster Police Department's organization, rules, and regulations.
• Learns principles and techniques of patrol procedures, community service, crime prevention, and public relations.
• Learns and applies knowledge of enforcement and procedural aspects of criminal law, arrest and control techniques, crowd control, and the enforcement of those laws.
• Learns principles and techniques of proper use and maintenance of firearms. 
• Learns vehicle operation including the Vehicle Code.
• Learns basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and interviewing witnesses.
• Learns and practices physical fitness and defense techniques programs.
• Learns and practices first-aid and CPR. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Knowledge of:

• Basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies. 

• Activities and programs of the City’s Police Department.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. 
• Word processing methods, techniques, and programs.
• Basic principles of record keeping. 
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to: 

• Learn basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies. 
• Learn police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Learn, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures. 
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and word-processing and other software applications programs. 
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Applicants must be enrolled in a California POST approved basic academy and be twenty-one (21) years of age or older at completion of the Basic Police Academy.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scene and to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Classification requires successful completion of a pre-hire physical and detailed police background investigation. Incumbents are off site attending the Police Academy for their entire tenure in this classification.