Police Officer (Entry Level - Academy Graduate)

Salary : $102,773.01 - $131,167.09 Annually
Location : Vallejo Police Department, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26-AA-07
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 12/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

THE POSITION

This recruitment is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early for immediate consideration.

The Police Officer (Entry) works under supervision and in all conditions, performing a variety of law enforcement duties that involve protecting life and property; enforcing laws and ordinances; conducting criminal investigations, crime prevention and suppression; preserving the public peace; performing special assignments in the protection of life and property; and related work as required.

Ideal candidates for this position should possess understanding of modern policing issues, philosophies, practices and trends including the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Candidates should also have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to interact with a diverse community. Graduation from a POST certified academy within the last 12 months is highly desirable.

Specialized Assignments:

• Detective
• Traffic
• K-9
• SWAT
• HNT
• Mobile Field Force
• Bike Patrol
• Crime Reduction Team
• Community Policing
• Honor Guard
• School Resource Officer

YOUR IMPACT

• Provide quality service to the citizens of Vallejo using modern 21st Century Policing methods in the department's mission to reduce crime.
• Make a difference in the community with a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect.

PERKS:

In addition to CalPERS retirement, medical, vision, and dental, the City of Vallejo offers some of the following additional benefits to their Officers:

• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Comp Time
• Uniform Allowance/$1,142 per year
• Bilingual Pay
• On Duty Workout Program
• 4/10 or 3/12.5 shifts

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is both the entry level and the first safety class within the Police Officer series. Incumbents perform all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve situations encountered. Police Officer (Entry) may be assigned, depending on rotational assignments, to patrol, traffic, detective, crime prevention or other police-related functions.

This class is distinguished from Police Officer (Lateral) in that it is the fully experienced working level within the series, while the Police Officer (Entry) requires no experience beyond possession of a Basic Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification or re-certification.

This class is distinguished from uniformed safety police-related classes by its designation and the responsibilities and authorities associated with designation as a safety peace officer under the laws of the State of California.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from supervisory and management staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The following duties are considered essential to the Police Officer (Entry) class:

• Enforces local, State and Federal laws and ordinances
• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot
• Protects persons and property from harm during emergency and non-emergency situations
• Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies
• Pursues, subdues, apprehends and controls fleeing, uncooperative or combative persons
• Prepares reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed
• Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths
• Prepares search and arrest warrants; makes arrests; serves warrants and subpoenas
• Interrogates suspects and interviews victims, complainants and witnesses
• Coordinates and investigates violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations
• Testifies and presents evidence in court; provides backup assistance for other officers and law enforcement personnel
• Collects, preserves, and maintains evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping
• Assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings
• Searches, fingerprints, and transports prisoners
• Responds to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations
• Maintains contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the public
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating apprehending offenders and investigating offenses
• Observes, monitors, directs, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions
• Assists with special investigative and crime prevention duties
• Checks buildings for physical security
• Administers first aid as needed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology, methods and concepts as taught in a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy and Field Training Program
• Techniques for dealing with people under hostile and emergency situations

Ability to:

• Act with integrity, dependability, and professionalism to maintain the public trust
• Comprehend, interpret, explain, and implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and instructions
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; and prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
• Think and act quickly; demonstrate sound judgment and rational thinking under adverse/dangerous circumstances; judge situations and people accurately; rapidly evaluate options and alternatives and choose appropriate responses
• Work with people from all socio-economic backgrounds
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of department equipment, including, but not limited to firearms, vehicles, radios, and computers
• Demonstrate and maintain a physical condition which permits the satisfactory performance of assigned duties and responsibilities at all times, in all weathers and conditions, in a conveyance or on foot
• Demonstrate audio-visual acuity, perception and discrimination sufficient to accurately: hear instructions and information, make observations, testify in court, read and write, and properly operate assigned equipment and vehicles
• Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics
• Handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times

Education:

• A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent;
• Graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified basic Academy within the last three (3) years or
• possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Recertification certificate; and
• Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH P.O.S.T., ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

• Possess a valid California driver's license
• Possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate
• Be 20 years old by the date of the written examination and be 21 years, or older, at the time of appointment
• Be not less than 20/100 uncorrected or corrected to 20/30 with normal color vision
• Eligible for U.S. citizenship at the time of appointment
• No felony convictions
• No misdemeanor convictions which mandate weapons prohibitions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) guidelines, incumbents must continuously display competence in the established peace officer job dimensions of: integrity, communication skills, learning ability, judgment under pressure, observational skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, motivation, appearance, dependability, physical ability, operation of equipment and credibility as a witness in a court of law.

In accordance with P.O.S.T. guidelines, incumbents must continuously demonstrate and maintain standards of personal conduct with regards to personal and professional integrity; impulse control/attention to safety; substance abuse/risk-taking behavior; stress tolerance; confronting and overcoming problems, obstacles and adversity; conscientiousness; interpersonal skills; decision-making and judgment; learning ability; and communication skills.

Please note: Since Policing contains perishable skills such as driving, tactical firearms, force options, arrest and control, and verbal communications, applicants who have obtained a POST Certification more than one year prior to application date, and have not worked in the capacity of a Peace Officer, may be required to reattend the Police Academy.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions

Working conditions may include, but are not limited to: running, jumping, walking, kneeling, crouching or crawling, subduing uncooperative individuals, chasing fleeing subjects, physically moving equipment and incapacitated or deceased persons, climbing stairs/ladders, going over obstacles, performing life-saving and rescue procedures, standing, sitting, or remaining in fixed positions for extended periods of time, and operating Department equipment and vehicles.

Function effectively while confronted with personal danger, including, but not limited to: exposure to armed/dangerous persons, dangerous animals, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, fumes, hazards of emergency driving, hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic, and natural and man-made disasters.

The Recruitment & Selection Process

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete and submit the following: Failure to attach the required documents will result in disqualification.

1. Completed City of Vallejo application
2. Answers to all Supplemental Questions
3. A copy of your California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate or re-certification certificate

Please also attached any other professional certifications relevant to the Police Officer class.

*A resume cannot be substituted for any portion of the application process (i.e., the official application and responses to the supplemental questions).

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

Applicant Screening and Assessment:
Application screening will be conducted to evaluate each candidates' supplemental/personal history questionnaire responses, educational course work, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position that may include but are not limited to:

• Education, GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Valid California driver license
• Citizenship
• Criminal history

Individuals who are found to be the most qualified will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview.
Oral Panel Interview: