Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $92,601.60 - $97,198.40 Annually
Location : Hayward Police Department - 300 West Winton Avenue, Hayward, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Hayward Police Department
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
NO prior law enforcement experience or POST certified police academy training is needed. If you ARE a POST certified academy graduate or currently participating in a POST certified Academy, please apply to .

Please review the "Selection Procedures" below before applying for this job opportunity.
Must apply no later than Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 11:59p.m. to be considered for the next exam.

NEXT EXAM DATE TENTATIVLEY SCHEDULED FOR: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026
Place: Alameda County Sheriff's Department
6289 Madigan Road
Dublin, CA 94568

Candidates MAY NOT retake the PELLETB within 30 days of previously taking the examination.
All waivers must be received by HR by the close of the application period (November 3, 2026, at 11:59pm) in order to be invited to this round of testing or you will need to reapply to the next round.

You are encouraged to apply with waivers. You can email waivers to if you receive them after you apply and they will be verified and manually added to your application.
WAIVERS

We accept waivers from many outside agencies as well as the National Testing Network. City of Hayward requires a T-Score of 46 or higher. Below are upcoming test dates you may want to consider. Once you receive your passing scores, either add them as an attachment to your City of Hayward application OR if you already applied, email waivers as a PDF to who will add them to your application.
Alameda County Sheriff Office

South Bay Regional

National Testing Network (virtual)
THE POSITION:

This is a trainee-level classification that transitions into the Police Officer position. A Police Officer Trainee is a civilian position before and during enrollment in a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy, which lasts approximately six months. Upon successful completion of the POST academy and the availability of a Police Officer position, Police Officer Trainees are sworn in and appointed to the classification of Police Officer. The Police Officer Trainee position is represented by SEIU Local 1021 and has corresponding benefits provided to a civilian employee.
Upon appointment to Police Officer, duties may include various law enforcement assignments such as patrol, traffic control, criminal and juvenile investigation, and radio communication. These require operating a patrol car or motorcycle, arresting and citing violators of laws, writing reports, serving warrants, testifying in court, and providing information to the public. Please see the City of Hayward's website for a complete job description.

You:
Are intent on providing excellent service to the Hayward Community
Have a desire to Improve Hayward's Quality of Life
Value Integrity and Accountability
Seek continuous Improvement
Are professional and respect all who live and work in our community

For more information regarding Hayward Police Recruiting, please visit:
Essential Duties

What you will do:
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Attend a basic POST certified police academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including knowledge of laws, police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness.

Receive training to develop an awareness of Police Department functions, as well as the responsibilities of Police Officers and how those responsibilities relate to field operations.

Receive academy and field training to become a Police Officer.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Ability to:

• Successfully complete academy requirements.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and locations.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and to assess situations and people accurately.
• Understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports.
• Become proficient in self-defense techniques.
• Become proficient in the care and use of firearms.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Deal courteously and effectively with the public.

Minimum Qualifications

You have:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: None.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

License: Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Special Qualifications:

• Free of any felony convictions.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States as outlined by federal law.
• Age, not less than 21 years at time of appointment.
• Vision in each eye, correctable to at least 20/30.
• Must pass a background investigation and polygraph exam.
• Must meet all Department medical, physical, and psychological standards.
• Bi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Supplemental Information

BENEFITS AND REWARDS:
Depending on employee group, some of these benefits may include:

• 3-day work week
• Vacation - 80 hours minimum
• 15.5 Paid Holidays
• Generous employer contribution for Health, Dental and Vision coverage
• CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS members | 2.0% at 62 for New CalPERS members | 3.0% at 50 for Classic Safety members | 2.7% at 57 for New Safety Members) - No Social Security participation.
• Life and Disability Insurance and Paid Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health and Wellness Reimbursement
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid)

SELECTION PROCEDURE
Candidates must successfully pass each step to advance to the next step in the recruitment process.

1. Apply - submit a completed City of Hayward job application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire.

2. Application Review -
A. Minimum Qualifications
B. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire
Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered.

3. Pre-Background Questionnaire Survey Monkey - Complete the survey truthfully and thoroughly.

4. Job Related Testing (examination) - One Day Testing
NEXT EXAM DATE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2026, *You must apply and be invited to attend*
Place: Alameda County Sheriff's Department
6289 Madigan Road
Dublin, CA 94568
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Late applicants will not be admitted.

8:30 AM Check-In Begins. Photo ID required. Wear athletic clothing and shoes.
8:45 AM Check-in closes. Please note that late applicants will NOT be admitted
9:00 AM-11:00 AM Physical Agility Test and 1.5 mile run
11:30 AM PELLETB Check-In. Photo ID required.
11:45 AM- 2:45 PM PELLETB Written Exam

Physical Agility Test (PAT) Options:

1. Participate in the PAT on the exam date indicated above

2. Submit a passing PAT or Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) Score in lieu of taking the exam. Score must be dated within the last 12 months prior to the date of application.
5. Eligible List - The examination process will result in a ranked eligible register of candidates for hiring consideration by the department. Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process.
6. Background - Will include employment history, personal references, criminal history, credit history, a polygraph examination, medical examination, drug urinalysis test, and a written and oral psychological examination. During the background process, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with City of Hayward.
A. Disqualifying Factors

In addition to the definition of disqualifying criminal acts as defined by Cal. Gov. Code § 1029, applicants who have engaged in "Serious Misconduct" as defined by Cal. Pen. Code § 13510.8are ineligible to be employed as a peace officer in the State of California.
EXAM INFORMATION
P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): The PELLETB is a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank written examination designed to measure reading and writing ability. Candidates MAY NOT retake the PELLETB within 30 days of previously taking the examination. City of Hayward requires a T-Score of 46 or higher.

Candidates are given 2.5 hours to complete the PELLETB exam which contains five sections:

• Spelling (applicants select the correct spelling of a word from a list of options); Vocabulary (applicants select the correct meaning of a word from a list of options); Clarity (applicants select the sentence that is most clearly written from a pair of options);
• Reading Comprehension (applicants read a passage and answer questions about the passage's content); and
• CLOZE (applicants use contextual clues to complete a passage that contains blanks/missing words).

For a preparation guide please visit:
-OR-
National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Examination: Applicants must complete the Public Safety Job Suitability Assessment (PSSA) component of the NTN examination battery at the time of the Frontline Law Enforcement Written examination. This examination is administered directly by the National Testing Network and the candidates pay a fee to take this examination. The test may be taken virtually or in person at testing sites throughout the country. To schedule a test, visit the

Select the City of Hayward, then select the Police Officer Trainee position. NTN will submit the scores directly to the City of Hayward for review.

Physical Agility Test (PAT): Designed to measure an applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete exercises that replicate some aspect of the job. The examination is timed and includes the following physical examinations: Obstacle course, body drag, chain link fence, solid fence climb, 500 yard run, and a 1 1/2 mile run (under 14 minutes).
What to Expect for the Physical Agility Test (PAT):
If you are interested in the Hayward PD Fitness 5.0 Training Program, to better prepare for the 1.5 mile run and the PAT, please email Detective Wright at for more information.

Applicants will be notified electronically via GovernmentJobs.com as to their status in the selection process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they can receive email notice from NeoGov/Government Jobs and the City of Hayward.
APPLICATIONS
Candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.hayward-ca.gov under the Current Vacancies tab or at www.GovernmentJobs.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hayward City Hall located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541 or via phone (510) 583-4500.

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. Our on-line application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the NeoGov Help Desk at (877) 204-4442.

If you are unsuccessful in this recruitment process, you are encouraged reapply at a later date and/or to look at our current vacancies and apply to any position(s) that you are qualified for.

Benefits Overview

This summary provides a brief overview of the benefits available to regular full-time City employees. As indicated in the 2025 Benefit Summary, some employee groups have different benefits based upon negotiated agreements. Depending on employee group, some of these benefits may include:

• Your choice of CalPERS Medical Plan (with generous employer contribution)
• CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS members | 2.0% at 62 for New CalPERS members | 3.0% at 50 for Classic Safety members | 2.7% at 57 for New Safety Members)
• Dental Insurance (plans available through Delta Dental or United Concordia)
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health and Wellness Reimbursement
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid)
• Other Employee-Paid benefits include pet insurance and discount plans, pre-paid legal, etc.

To view a summary of the benefits the City offers, please click
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Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications.