Police Officer Trainee (Police Academy)

Salary : $28.98 - $35.22 Hourly

Location : Lathrop, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2400112

Department : Lathrop Police Department

Opening Date : 11 / 27 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

POSITION INFORMATION

City of Lathrop - Police Officer Trainee

This recruitment is open until filled

First interviews are tentatively scheduled for 12 / 12 / 2024

The Position

Are you ready to begin your career in law enforcement? The City of Lathrop Police Department is actively recruiting for Police Officer Trainees. We are looking for individuals who are of good moral character, self-motivated, and dependable to help us provide outstanding public safety services in California's fastest growing city. The Lathrop Police Department is committed to connecting and partnering with our diverse, supportive community to ensure Lathrop is a safe and desirable place to live, work, and visit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the Police Officer Trainee will attend and participate in a comprehensive training program at a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic Academy, maintaining academic and practical standards as required. The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn, trainee-level class in the Police Officer series in which incumbents are expected to learn law enforcement techniques, police procedures, basic first aid, and physical fitness to prepare to perform in the capacity of a sworn police officer.

This is an entry-level position for individuals without prior law enforcement experience or certifications. Police Officer Trainees who satisfactorily complete all of the graduation requirements and obtain approval from the Chief of Police will become eligible for the sworn position of Police Officer.

To review the job functions and the full job description, you can access the following link :

Police Officer Trainee

EXPERIENCE AND LICENSE / CERTIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age
• Possess a valid California Class C Driver's License
• Possess a High School Diploma or an equivalent certificate or diploma recognized by the state of California.
• Able to meet statutory and agency requirements regarding background investigation, voice stress analysis or polygraph examination, and medical and psychological exams.
• T-score of 50 or greater on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) dated within one year.
• Passing score on the Physical Agility Test (PAT) dated within one year.

For more information on the PELLETB and PAT requirements and how to sign up, see the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training website : Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy

Basic Training Academy

The individual(s) hired for the trainee position will be enrolled in a full-time, intensive Basic Academy course which satisfies the POST minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. The course typically meets Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. - 5 : 00 p.m., is approximately six months in duration, and is designed for peace officer recruits who can dedicate their full attention and efforts towards completing the program.

After graduating from the Basic Academy, with the Chief of Police's approval, the individual(s) selected will be reclassified to a sworn Police Officer position. Employment in the Police Officer Trainee classification is contingent upon maintaining enrollment in the POST certified academy for which they are enrolled. Incumbents who fail to maintain enrollment in the POST certified academy for any reason will be released from employment without cause and without the right of appeal.

OTHER INFORMATION

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS :

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports and retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading work related documents and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone and face-to-face services. The need to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

About Lathrop

Incorporated in 1989, the City of Lathrop is located in the Northern San Joaquin Valley and sits east and west of the San Joaquin River. Interstate 5, Interstate 205, and State Route 120 intersect within the city. We are located approximately 70 miles east of San Francisco and 70 miles south of Sacramento. Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa Valley, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains are all located within 2 hours of Lathrop.

Lathrop is centrally located within a 30-minute commute of Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Ripon, Lodi, Modesto, and Livermore. Lathrop's population as of January 1, 2023, reported by the State of California Department of Finance, is 35,080 which represents an 11.1% growth from 2022. Additionally, the City of Lathrop made headlines in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as one of Northern California's fastest-growing communities. With the continued growth in the residential communities, our population is anticipated to reach approximately 70,000.

Lathrop Police Department

The City of Lathrop Police Department was established in June 2022. The Department is currently funded with 48 sworn positions and supported by a team of Community Service Officers, Records Unit, Property and Evidence Unit, as well as administrative and budget support staff. Dispatch support is provided through contracted services with the City of Ripon.

For information regarding the recent transition to the Police Department and the Department Divisions, please view the following links :

The City of Lathrop offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Retirement

Employee contribution is 7%.

Employee contribution is 7%

Employee contribution is 7.75%

Social Security / Medicare

No participation in Social Security; there is a deduction for Medicare

Retiree Health

Hired on or before December 31, 2014, 100% vested

25% vested at 5 years

Health Insurance

The City currently contributes up to a maximum of $1,991 per month for Health Insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for full-time employees and eligible dependents beginning January 2024.

Vacation

Holidays

Twelve days annually and one floating holiday. New employees hired after July 1st shall not accrue a floating holiday until the folloiwng July 1st.

Sick Leave

96 hours (accrued bi-weekly). Upon accumulation of 96 hours sick time, up to 40 hours may be converted to vacation as outlined in the Personnel Rules and Regulations.

Term Life Insurance

City paid coverage equal to annual salary.

Deferred Compensation

Voluntary employee participation in four (4) 457 plans.

Employee Assistance Program

The EAP provides clinical and short-term counseling, as well as assistance for financial, legal, childcare and eldercare issues.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $3,000 per calendar year with pre-approval.

Flexible Spending

Voluntary employee participation in medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

In order to qualify for as a Police Officer in California, you must be age 21. In order to meet this requirement, you must be 20 years and 6 months old at the time of entering the police academy. Are you at least 20 years and 6 months old at the time of this application?

I understand the minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be :

Excluding minor traffic violations, have you been convicted of any violations of the law?

If your response to #3 was yes, please describe the violation(s). If your response was no, respond to this question by listing "N / A".

Why do you want to work for the Lathrop Police Department?

The Police Officer Trainee position requires individuals to attend a POST certified Academy on a full-time basis. The course typically meets Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. - 5 : 00 p.m. and lasts for approximately six months. If you are enrolled in a course requiring travel beyond a reasonable distance, the Department will provide lodging in accordance with City policy and procedures. I understand the commitment to the Academy and my responsibility, if selected as a Police Officer Trainee.

I understand that, if selected for the Police Officer Trainee position, the Lathrop Police Department will pay for the associated Academy fees, books, required materials, tuition and my salary. I am responsible for my daily expenses and transportation to and from the designated Academy. Currently, selected candidates will be required to attend a South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy.I understand the commitment to the Academy and my responsibility, if selected as a Police Officer Trainee.

Have you taken the PELLETB? If your response is no, you do not qualify for this position and can reapply prior to the closing date.

If you have completed the PELLETB, list you T-score below. If your T-score is not listed, your application will be considered incomplete.

Have you completed and passed your physical agility test? If your response is no, you do not qualify for this position and can reapply prior to the closing date.

I understand that I am required to attach PELLETB test score results and documentation that I have completed and passed the physical agility test, to my application. These scores must be dated within one year of the date of application.

Required Question

Salary : $3,000