Police Officer Trainee- Lateral or Academy Graduate ONLY

El Segundo Police Department: Police Officer Trainee

Salary: $6,297.12 - $8,419.60 Monthly

Location: El Segundo, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 24/25-00184

Department: POLICE

Opening Date: January 5, 2026

Closing Date: Continuous

Benefits:

• Excellent Benefits
• Educational Reimbursement
• Paid Police Academy Fees
• Uniform and Equipment Allowance

Upon graduation from Police Academy and swearing-in by Chief of Police, Police Officers can receive the following incentives:

• Monthly salary $8,431.07 - $11,273.88
• Voluntary Binding Arbitration - $10,000
• Longevity Pay: $208.00 - $1,196.00 depending on years of service
• Education Pay: $310.02 - $1,407.76 depending on highest level of education
• Tuition Reimbursement: $20,000
• Special Assignment Pay Opportunities
• Holiday Pay

About El Segundo:

El Segundo, incorporated in 1917, is home to approximately 17,000 residents and is known as a major aeronautical and industrial business center. The City is headquarters to several corporations including Mattel, Chevron and most recently, the Los Angeles Times. El Segundo is also home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Chargers, and Kings training facilities.

The El Segundo Police Department is a full-service agency, providing the highest levels of crime prevention and quality service to a community that strongly supports its public safety members. The Departments mission is to provide a safe and secure community while treating all people with dignity and respect.

Job Summary:

Under close supervision, incumbents in this non-sworn, entry-level position complete a formal, comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Basic Academy training program of about 26-weeks duration and perform other related work as required. Upon successful completion of the mandatory policy academy, trainees may be elevated to the rank of sworn Police Officer at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

Essential Job Functions:

• Attend scheduled training sessions
• Participate in physical fitness regimen as required by Academy
• Learn principles, practices and theory of criminal and civil law enforcement
• Learn basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and witness interrogation
• Learn to prepare various reports, including but not limited to vehicle reports, crime reports, suspect information reports, and missing persons reports
• Learn to respond to radio and computer messages and calls for service
• Learn techniques to make arrests as necessary
• Learn to investigate crimes, traffic collisions, and suspicious activities
• Learn to interview victims, complainants and witnesses
• Learn to detain and interrogate suspects
• Learn to analyze situations and make decisions appropriately under stressful situations
• Learn to collect and preserve evidence
• Learn to testify and present evidence in court
• Learn to direct traffic, including regulation of vehicle flow at times of emergency or congestion
• Learn to stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws and issue citations as necessary
• May be required to work shifts, weekends or holidays

Qualifications:

• Minimum Qualifications:
• High School Diploma, pass the General Education Development test indicating high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university.
• Candidates who have successfully completed a full-time California P.O.S.T Certified Basic Police Academy or currently attending an Academy (with a ranking within the top 25 percentile of their class) may be allowed to substitute their academy training in lieu of having to attend the Citys mandatory academy. The decision is at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police.
• Licensing/Certification Requirements:
• Must possess a valid California Class "C" Drivers License.
• Age: Must be a minimum of 20 ½ years of age at the time of the written test.
• Special Requirements:
• Must be of proportional height to weight, be physically able to handle the rigorous duties of police work;
• Possess normal hearing and color perception, minimum vision of 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20;
• Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully complete a polygraph test, psychological and medical examination, and an extensive background investigation process;
• Smoking and/or the use of tobacco products on or off duty are prohibited as a condition of employment;
• Any visible tattoo(s), body art and/or body piercings are prohibited while performing department duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Other Characteristics:

• Ability to:
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
• Read and interpret complex technical documents;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Observe, record, and recall pertinent facts and details;
• Adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action, giving due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances;
• Learn and apply proper and appropriate use of force techniques;
• Perform strenuous physical activities.
• Skill In:
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the members of the public, the community, co-workers and superiors;
• Skill in using a personal computer.

Police Officers Association (POA) Benefit Summary:

• PERS Retirement: Tier I - 3%@50 for individuals employed as of 10/5/12. Tier II- 3%@55 for individuals employed by the City on or after 10/6/12 who are already PERS members. Single highest year. 2.7%@57 for new employees/members hired on or after 1/1/13. Three year average final compensation. Members pay 50% of normal cost (12%).
• Retiree Medical: City offers paid retiree medical insurance at same rate as active employees.
• Medical Insurance: City contributes $1,800/mo. (effective 1/1/25) for employee and dependents medical insurance under PERS.
• Optical/Dental/Life/AD&D: City contributes $184.25/month.
• Employee & eligible dependents may be covered for optical and dental. $10,000 term life policy provided by City; employee can purchase additional self and dependent coverage at group rates. AD&D insurance policies provided for employees.
• Flex Plan: Section 125 Plan, allows for payment of employee paid insurance medical treatment, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Holidays: Paid 120 hours per year in lieu of holidays.
• Vacation Leave: 96 hours (1-5 yrs); 120 hours (6-10 yrs); 144 hours (11-15 yrs); 176 hours (16 yrs); 192 hours (17 years); increasing 8 hours each year thereafter until a maximum of 256 hours for 25 years is reached.
• Hired prior to 7/1/94: 96 hours (1-7 years); 136 hours (8-14 years): 176 hours (15-16 years); 184 hours (17 years), increasing 8 hours each year thereafter until a maximum of 256 hours for 25 years is reached.
• Sick Leave: Eight (8) hours per month. Percentage of unused leave paid upon retirement or separation.
• Bereavement Leave: Three (3) days [or 40 hours when travel beyond 500 miles is required] per qualifying incident.
• Tuition Reimbursement: 100% of cost of tuition and books at UCLA/UCI rates, whichever is higher, for undergraduate or graduate courses.
• Educational Incentive Pay: Hired prior to 2/21/2017 Depending upon level of education, position held and step within range, may receive pay from $270.39 to $1622.85. Hired on or after 2/21/2017 Bachelors education incentive pay applies.
• Differential Pay: Detective / SPA / K-9 Officer $425.84 designated by the Chief of Police
• Motor Officer $511.01
• Sergeants $640.19
• Bilingual Officer $283.90
• Sergeants $355.66
• Other: Voluntary participation in Credit Union; Deferred Compensation Program (457); Payroll Direct Deposit; Up to $4,000 interest free computer loan.

Supplemental Questions:

1. Do you understand and agree to the foregoing?

Yes, I acknowledge No, I do not acknowledge

2. The minimum age requirement at time of appointment is 21 years of age (20 1/2 years by the time of the written test). Do you meet this requirement?

Yes No I have a valid Drivers License from another state

3. Do you possess a valid California Class "C" Drivers license and have a satisfactory driving record?

Yes No

4. Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

Yes No

5. The City of El Segundo Police Department requires no visible tattoos while wearing a long sleeve uniform. Do you meet the requirement of the Police Department policies?

Yes No

6. The El Segundo Police Department is dedicated to providing the highest level of customer service through a community-oriented policing and problem-solving philosophy. Please describe how you would apply the departments mission if you were hired as a Police Officer Trainee for the City of El Segundo Police Department.

7. Why do you want to be a Police Officer for the El Segundo Police Department?

8. Please describe how you have prepared for the demands of a P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Police Academy.

9. Have you previously applied for a position with the El Segundo Police Department?

Yes No

10. If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please list ALL prior