Police Officer Trainee

This is an open recruitment. Qualified candidates from the public and qualified career City employees are encouraged to apply. The eligibility list that is developed from this recruitment process may be used to fill future vacancies in the Police Officer Trainee classification or in similar classifications.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the positions have been filled. Applications will be reviewed as they come in. The first round of PELLETB & WSTB Physical Agility Testing is scheduled to take place on March 16, 2024. Additional test dates will be announced to candidates as needed. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

*Upon successful completion of a P.O.S.T. Academy and being sworn in as a Police Officer with the City of Hollister Police Department, the employee shall receive either a $25,000 or $30,000 recruitment bonus dependent on their level at the time of hire. Bonus shall be paid out as specified in the HPOA MOU.

DEFINITION

This is a non-sworn, training-level classification in the City’s police service. Incumbents are hired from entry-level eligible lists and sent to a basic police academy for training. During training, incumbents do not have police powers and are subject to the rules and regulations of the City of Hollister, Hollister Police Department, and the police academy attended. Trainees will be exposed to a variety of non-enforcement duties in law enforcement. Promotion to a sworn Police Officer position is contingent upon successful completion of the basic academy and the final review of the Police Chief. Upon promotion to Police Officer, incumbents will begin a one-year probation as a regular status employee.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff, with direct supervision from a Police Officer.

The Police Officer Trainee will receive instruction in, be exposed to, and introduced to the following areas, which include, but are not limited to the following:

• Learn about police patrol activities while accompanying a police officer in a patrol unit. Assist police officers in answering calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of all laws. Assist in the investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, death cases, and other criminal incidents.
• Assist in the preparation of police emergency or other traffic situations.
• Report street lamps or traffic signals that are not working properly, report and assist with the removal of traffic hazards.
• Administer first aid or perform CPR.
• Make contact with citizens regarding the maintenance of law and order and the reporting of criminal activity.
• Wear a distinctive police uniform and make contact with the public while on police patrol or while assigned to the public counter area. Answer inquiries and give clear, accurate information to the public concerning police procedures and matters.
• Police Officer Trainees may be assigned to assist investigators in the handling of criminal cases. Duties might include assisting with the collection of evidence at a crime scene, assisting with obtaining witness statements, performing commuter tasks to gather information and record information.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Must be at least 20.5 years of age and applicant must pass an extensive background process. Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience: None required.

Education: Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

License or Certificate

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Californian driver’s license.
• Must be at least 20.5 years of age at time of testing and at least 21 years of age at time of appointment to sworn peace officer.
• Not have any felony convictions.
• Be able to pass a comprehensive background.
• Be a United States citizen or have permanent resident alien status and applied for citizenship.

Mental Evaluation:

Peace officers will be evaluated by a doctor and must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer; This includes whether the candidate has a bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Knowledge of:

• The geography of the local area.
• First aid principles, practices and techniques.
• Self defense tactics.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.

Ability to:

• Attend, fully participate in, successfully complete and graduate from a California P.O.S.T. approved basic police academy.
• Attend all academy courses and training in accordance with the academy schedule which may include varied days and/or hours.
• Successfully perform all related learning, both academic and physical (defensive tactics, firearms, driving, etc.), and testing activities.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.
• Learn to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
• Learn to analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine and take emergency action.
• Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive action.
• Meet the first aid requirement as prescribed by the State of California and to administer first aid.
• Learn the operation of standard equipment and facilities required in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Selection Process

Applications must be submitted online through this applicant tracking system. All materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list or discharge from employment.

Candidates presenting the most desirable combination of education, experience and/or training as stated in this announcement will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The selection process may require any combination of the following: application appraisal, written examination, performance test, and personal interview conducted by an outside oral panel and/or the Department.

The City of Hollister offers preference to qualified veterans during the candidate selection process. The City of Hollister's Veterans' Preference Policy can be accessed here (Download PDF reader). Applicants must claim Veteran's preference in the agency-wide questions section and attach a copy of their DD214 to the application.

Following the examination process, successful candidates are placed on an employment list.

Appointment will be made from the employment list. Appointed employee(s) will be required to pass a psychological evaluation, physical, drug screen, background investigation, and fingerprints check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action:

The City of Hollister does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Hollister encourages minorities and women to apply. The City of Hollister makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the selection process must inform the Human Resources Office via email at hr@hollister.ca.gov of such request. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process.