Salary : $96,678.40 Annually
Location : City of Placentia, Police Station, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026 - 00001
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
THE CITY OF PLACENTIA IS NOW RECRUITING FOR THE POSITION OF
POLICE ACADEMY TRAINEE

Under the direction of the Police Training Officer and Police Sergeant, the Police Academy Trainee attends and successfully completes Police Officer training at a police academy. This is a non-sworn position.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receives police officer training in areas such as federal, state, and local laws enforced by Police Officers, court decisions governing police officer actions, patrol procedures and techniques, arrest and booking procedures, physical restraint of persons, and related subject matter.
• Receives police officer training in traffic enforcement methods, such as observation methods, citation practices, and accident investigation procedures, and related subject matter.
• Receives police officer training in investigation techniques, report writing, court testimony procedures, and related subject matter.
• Performs academic activities and physical fitness exercises.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the City.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
A high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and currently attending a BASIC Peace Officer Standards.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:
Valid, current driver's license.

• The City reasonably expects driving to be one of the job functions for the position, and the City reasonably believes that using an alternative form of transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost to the City.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:

• Training Commission (POST) certificate and police academy (For Academy Graduate Classification)

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Applicants must file a concise and complete City application for the position online through the Human Resources Department webpage at as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume that describes experience, education, and training in relation to the position's requirements; however, a resume will not be accepted instead of a City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed, and only those candidates deemed most qualified based on their education, training, and experience, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process.
THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

• P.O.S.T. Written Examination (PELLET B) - (testing date TBD; candidates must pass with a T-Score of 45 or higher).
  • *Applicants who have taken the PELLET B with another agency in the last year and received a T-Score of 45 or higher may be eligible to waive this exam by attaching proof of their score to their online application*
• Physical Agility Test - (testing date TBD)
• Oral Interview - (testing date TBD)

Successful candidates will be placed on the employment-eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year, or until an insufficient number of candidates remain, unless exhausted sooner.
Retirement - PERS 3% at 50 CalPERS with a 9% employee contribution (classic); 2.7% at 57 CalPERS with a 11.5% employee contribution (new members). The City of Placentia does not participate in Social Security.

Health Insurance - The City provides up to $2,076 per month to purchase health insurance through the CalPERS Health Benefits program. Medical Opt Out is available for up to $400 per month to employee.

Dental & Vision Insurance - Fully paid plan for dental and vision insurance.

Life Insurance - Fully paid life insurance policy of $50,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased with the employee paying for the premium.

Disability Insurance - Fully paid short-term and long-term disability insurance policies.

Flexible Spending Account - Employees may contribute to a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account on a voluntary basis.

Deferred Compensation - Employees may contribute to a deferred compensation plan on a voluntary basis.

Holidays - 12 paid holidays per year.

Paid Time Off (Vacation) - Accrual rate of 80 hours per year.

Alternative Health & Wellness (Sick Leave) - 96 hours per year; this program includes an incentive of up to $1,250 per fiscal year.

Assignment Pay - An additional 5% is paid for Canine Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, Motor/Traffic, and School Resource Officer.

Bilingual Pay - An additional pay of $165 per month or $250 for advanced.

P.O.S.T/Educational Incentive - For those who possess P.O.S.T Certificates; an additional 2.5% for Basic P.O.S.T., 4.5% for intermediate P.O.S.T./AA., and 7% for Advanced P.O.S.T./B.A.

Shift Differential Pay - For night watch, an additional pay of 2.5%

Marksmanship Incentive - $100/$150 per year available.

Range Staff - Those assigned to Range Staff are eligible for an additional 2.5%

Finder's Fee - Upon successful completion of the FTO program both the employee who referred and the new Police Officer will each receive $1,000.

Educational Tuition Reimbursement - Available upon request and approval

Holiday Closure - In addition, subject to City Council approval, City Hall and most City Services observe a Holiday Closure annually for two weeks at the end of December/beginning of January, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day (paid time off varies per year, assignment and Bargaining Unit; City will provide additional holiday hours during this closure period.
01

To better evaluate your qualifications for this position, responses to this supplemental questionnaire are required. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process. An incomplete and inaccurate application may lead to disqualification. It is your responsibility to fill out the application thoroughly and accurately. Resumes will not be accepted instead of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering questions. If you do not have experience, please write "NONE". IMPORTANT: 'See Resume', 'See Above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be considered when evaluating your qualifications.

• I acknowledge receipt of this information and understand the instructions.

02

I understand that as part of the qualifying procedure for Police Academy Trainee, I may go through a thorough background process, which includes a comprehensive investigation, fingerprinting and polygraph examination. Recent drug usage, theft, or illegal activity may disqualify me. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. Any falsification, or failure to meet the standards listed above, will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the qualifying process for Police Academy Trainee.

03

Do you possess a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a valid California Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

05

The position of Academy Trainee requires the candidate to be 21 years of age or older at time of graduation or appointment to the position of Police Officer. Will you be at least 21 years of age at time of graduation?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been terminated or resigned in lieu of termination?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered yes, please explain in detail. If no, please write 'N/A'.
08

Have you ever worked for a Police or Sheriff's Department? (Including as an Police Explorer, Intern, and Volunteer)

• Yes
• No

09

If yes, list where and provide details of responsibilities. If no, enter NA.
10

Have you ever used illegal drugs known as PCP (phencyclidine), LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), heroine, ketamine, opiates, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, bath salts or any other "hard" drugs' or hallucinogens not listed above?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you used cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and/or barbiturates within the last 10 years?

• Yes
• No

12

Have you been arrested and convicted of a DUI, or accepted any DUI plea agreement to a lesser charge, within the last seven years?

• Yes
• No

13

Are you currently, or have you ever worked for another public agency? If yes, please list where and describe your duties. If no, please type NA.
Required Question