Police Officer - Trainee & Lateral

HIRING BONUS
A hiring bonus for lateral, sworn Police Officers may be provided up to $30,000. $5,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Field Training Program, $5,000 shall be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period, $10,000 upon completion of 1 year after probation status ends, and $10,000 upon completion of 2 years after probation status ends.

New Police Officer Trainees who have completed the Post Basic Academy will receive up to $10,000. $2,500 will be paid upon successful completion of the Field Training Program, $2,500 shall be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period, $2,500 upon completion of 1 year after probation status ends, and $2,500 upon completion of 2 years after probation status ends. 

Lateral sworn Police Officers will receive 40 hours of sick time and 40 hours of vacation time effective at their time of hire.  

The following are the conditions, restrictions and eligibility requirements to qualify for the Hiring Bonus or Recruiting Incentive Pay:

• Lateral Sworn Police Officers and Academy Graduates who apply on or after March 13, 2024.
• Lateral Sworn Police Officers must currently be employed as a full-time CA Police Officer with another LE agency and have successfully completed a POST Certified Field Training Program.
• Academy Graduates must possess a valid Post Basic Police Academy Certificate at the time of hire.
• Police Officer “re-hires” are ineligible for the Hiring Bonus.
• Part-time Police Officers are ineligible for the Hiring Bonus.
• Full-time PD employees may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive pay for Lateral Sworn Officers starting March 13, 2024.
• The PD employee’s name (only one employee may be specified) must be listed as recruited by on the original Lateral Sworn Police Officer’s employment application when it was submitted.
• Those PD employees recruiting Lateral Sworn Police Officers must do it off-duty and outside the normal scope of their employment.
• The PD employee must still be employed by WPD at the time the payment is due to receive the Recruitment Incentive Pay.
• Police Management, PSD Sergeant and PSD Administrative Analyst are ineligible for the Recruiting Incentive Pay.
• The Chief of Police will have the final decision in awarding Recruiting Incentive Pay.
• The City Manager reserves the right to discontinue the Hiring Bonus and Recruiting Incentive Pay program at any time.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency; higher education preferred
• Valid California driver's license and a safe driving record
• 21 years of age at time of appointment
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and communicate effectively orally
• Spanish bilingual skill highly desirable
• Ability to skillfully and effectively deal with various racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Ability to work under physical and mental pressures and in potentially hazardous situations as determined by a pre-employment psychological exam
• Willingness to work night shifts and weekends
• Physical health, strength, stature and agility to meet physical demands of police work as determined by an agility test and a pre-employment physical exam
• Vision correctable to 20/30 in each eye. Normal color acuity; non-restricted peripheral vision
• No use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within 5 years prior to application for employment
• No other illegal use or possession of drug not mentioned above (including cocaine) within 3 years prior to application for employment
• Per SB960, effective Jan 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law but do not have to be U.S. citizens or applying for citizenship 

 
 ASSIGNMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Teams
• Auto Theft Task Force
• Bike Patrol
• Corporal/Field Training Officer
• County Gang Task Force
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Crisis Negotiation Team
• Detective
• Downtown Officer
• K-9 Unit
• Mental Health Liaison
• Motor Officer
• Professional Standards Unit
• School Resource Officer
• Special Investigations Team (Gang Team)
• Special Response Unit (SWAT)
• Training Unit

SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants who successfully pass both the written exam and physical agility tests (PELLETB score of 44 or higher) will be screened to determine suitability for hiring.  South Bay Regional Public Safety  Training in San Jose, CA  offers the test on behalf of the Watsonville Police Department.  The written portion may also be taken through www.NationalTestingNetwork.com.  These exams must be taken prior to submitting an application with our department.

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS!
Your application will not be considered if all paper work is not submitted and/or with passing scores on the below listed exams.

Paper work to be submitted:
1.) WSTB physical agility exam (must have passed) letter.
2.) POST PELLET B written exam with a passing score of 44 and above OR submitted scores through the National Testing Network.


Applicants who meet employment qualifications will be subjected to a comprehensive background investigation which includes, but is not limited to:
 
1. Oral Interview
2. Personal History Questionnaire
3. Polygraph Examination
4. Background Investigation
5. Psychological Examination
6. Medical Evaluation
 

THE DEPARTMENT
We, the members of the Watsonville Police Department dedicate ourselves to impacting our community in positive ways, everyday, through strong relationships and problem solving.  We commit ourselves to public safety through engagement, education, enforcement, and professional development.  

Our core values are; Character, Competency, Compassion, and Communication.
 

Salary : $102,378 - $137,197