POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT (Currently attending Academy)

POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT (Currently attending Academy)

Salary: $76,074.96 Annually Location: City of Stockton, CA Job Type: Full-Time (Probationary) Job Number: 0126-01625 Department: Police Opening Date: 01/01/2026 Closing Date: 12/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description: The Stockton Police Department offers excellent opportunities for individuals who are currently attending a full or part-time police academy looking to secure a position with an organization offering growth opportunity and challenge! View the City of Stockton Police website https://joinstocktonpd.com/

Incentives for New Employees:

• Sign on Bonus - $15,000
• Relocation Assistance Reimbursement
• 40 hours of vacation available for immediate use
• City pays the entire employee share of their health plan contribution

Other Incentives:

• City pays the entire employee share of their health plan contribution

Qualified Candidates:

• Currently attend a California P.O.S.T Basic Peace Officer Academy
• Provide a letter from their academy
• Provide a copy of their POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test with a T-Score of 45.0 or higher

Academy Attendees:

• Academy attendees who meet these qualifications may apply now
• Any questions regarding whether you meet these qualifications may be directed to the Stockton Police Department at SPDRecruiting@stocktonca.gov
• Specific information regarding how to submit required information and documentation is available in the supplemental questionnaire portion of the application

General Position Information:

• Bargaining Unit: Stockton Police Officers Association (SPOA)
• Civil Service Status: Classified
• Veterans Preference Points will not be awarded for this position

Class Characteristics:

• This position is an entry-level, non-sworn position in the Police Department
• Incumbents are currently attending a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy on a full-time or part-time basis and must satisfactorily pass all of the requirements that lead to the possession of the P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate in addition to passing all phases of the background process before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Police Officer
• This is a full-time (40 hour/week) position
• Those enrolled in the Police Academy on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours/week), will make up the remaining time through work experience at the Stockton Police Department
• Appointment in this position is limited to the duration of the Police Academy
• Academic progress and physical achievement are closely monitored during this training period
• Upon successful completion and graduation from the Police Academy, recruits shall be appointed to the position of probationary Police Officer
• Emphasis is placed on community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving
• An assignment to this classification is temporary
• Failure to graduate from the academy within the prescribed training period will result in termination from City of Stockton employment

Principal Duties:

• Performs law enforcement and crime prevention work
• Attends Academy and other related training
• Performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations
• Takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations
• Controls traffic flow and enforces state laws and local municipal code violations and traffic regulations
• Performs investigative work
• Participates in and provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations
• Provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations

Qualifications:

• Education: Graduation from a United States high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate received from a recognized accrediting association
• Completion of some college course work is preferred
• Other Requirements:
• Must be attending a California P.O.S.T. certified peace officer academy
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a valid California class C drivers license and have a satisfactory driving record
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law
• Must be at twenty (20) years of age at the time of application, and twenty-one (21) years of age by time of appointment as a Police Officer
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, which shall include a polygraph and psychological examination, and a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance
• Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer
• Must be able to pass a physical examination, which includes a drug screen, administered by the City Physician
• Vision requirements are 20/100 uncorrected; 20/30 corrected
• Color blindness will be cause for rejection
• Hearing must be within normal range -- 5/5
• Must maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility and physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects, lift, drag, or manipulate individuals or objects weighing a minimum of 165 pounds
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts, and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to hazardous materials and all weather conditions
• The City of Stockton requires employees in a public safety classification to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times
• Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City
• New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement
• Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment
• Knowledge of:
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Techniques in dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile and emergency situations
• Skill in:
• Writing clearly, accurately, concisely, legibly, and with correct grammatical construction and spelling
• Observing, assimilating, remembering, and recalling pertinent facts and details
• Ability to learn to read maps and mapped information
• Ability to:
• Acquire, through training, knowledge of modern approved principles, practices and procedures of police work, state laws, city ordinances, first aid, the geography of the city and location of important buildings
• Read and interpret complex technical documents in English
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Plan and effectively present material orally to diverse groups, and communicate effectively and prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports
• Apply selected knowledge (i.e. laws, statutes, court decisions, department policies, criminal investigation theories, etc.) in collecting, organizing and analyzing a variety of information in order to decide on an appropriate and reasonable course of action
• Analyze problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take effective action in emergency and stressful situations
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places, and judge situations and people accurately
• Achieve proficiency in self-defense techniques and the use and care of firearms
• Show initiative, alertness, integrity and reliability
• Learn standard operating procedures of a police radio and keyboard terminals
• Work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle
• Read printed materials and a computer screen, discern colors and work in a night setting
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other city employees, and deal courteously but firmly with the general public
• Undergo strenuous physical conditions
• Physical/Mental Abilities:
• Mobility - Frequent sitting; occasional walking, bending, squatting, climbing (stairs, ladders etc.) kneeling, crawling and constant twisting neck/waist
• Lifting and Carrying - Occasional lifting and carrying up to 100 pounds and more
• Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities; vision requirements are 20/100 uncorrected; 20/30 corrected
• Color blindness will be cause for rejection
• Hearing must be within normal range -- 5/5
• Must maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility and physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects, lift, drag, or manipulate individuals or objects weighing a minimum of 165 pounds
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts, and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to hazardous materials and all weather conditions
• The City of Stockton requires employees in a public safety classification to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times
• Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City
• New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement
• Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment

Examination:

• Unassembled Examination (Pass/Fail) based on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T