Police Officer - Trainee

Police Officer - Trainee Salary $92,447.78 Annually

Location: Livermore, CA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 26-3120-01 Department: Police Opening Date: January 2, 2026

Job Description

We strongly encourage applicants to read the job announcement, including the supplemental questions, in its entirety before submitting an application for this position. Click Here for the job announcement.

Trainees are initially hired in a non-sworn civilian classification and earning $44.44 per hour with benefits while attending the Police Academy. Upon graduation and at swearing in, the Trainee becomes a Police Officer. Annual salary for a Police Officer starts at $126,894.64 with excellent benefits. For more detailed benefits, please refer to the "Benefits" tab of this job posting.

Application Instructions

As part of the application process, Police Officer Trainee applicants are required to complete the POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB - written test) and the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB - physical agility test). Select police academies will administer these specific written and physical agility tests. Contact Human Resources at HR@LivermoreCA.gov with further inquiries regarding this requirement or test location recommendations.

The following two scores must be submitted for your application to be complete:

• A passing score of 50 or higher on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written test dated within the last six months from the date of application submission.
• A passing score of 320 or higher on the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) Physical Agility Test written test dated within the last six months from the date of application submission.

These documents shall be attached upon submitting your online application. If you do not attach the documents at the time you submit your application, you must email them to HR@LivermoreCA.gov or fax to (925) 960-4105.

Benefits Summary

The information contained here is a summary of benefits for Police Officers and Police Sergeants. Click HERE for the current Livermore Police Officers Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). For more a more detailed summary of benefits for all employee groups, click here.

Job Classification

DEFINITION

Under direction, a Police Officer patrols an assigned area to protect life and property, prevent crime, maintain order, and enforce laws, ordinances and constitutional mandates; performs investigative work in detection of crime; performs public service tasks; and other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the sworn law enforcement series. Persons in this classification work within the framework of established law enforcement procedures and are expected to exercise independent judgment in dealing tactfully with the public in emotional situations and to react effectively in emergency situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is provided by a Police Sergeant or a higher sworn management position.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May provide direction to Police Cadets, Community Service Specialists, Reserve Police Officers, volunteers, temporary employees and other employees, as assigned.

Field Functions

Patrols an assigned area of the City by vehicle, foot, or as designated by the supervisor; maintains law and order; responds to emergencies as directed over the radio and telephone; conducts investigations of complaints and crime reports to determine if a crime has been committed; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and gives assistance to the injured; makes arrests; serves subpoenas and warrants; guards prisoners; questions suspects; notes and reports unsafe conditions; prepares evidence and appears in court; searches for stolen property and lost persons; provides directions and information to the public regarding laws, ordinances, traffic safety, and available public services and resources; issues citations of traffic violators; analyzes facts, clues, and evidence and makes investigations to determine the identity of law violators and to locate their whereabouts; maintains effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, employees, and the public; operates radio and other communication equipment; protects life, property, public order, and the constitutional rights of all citizens; and takes notes from verbal communication.

Administrative Functions

Writes and prepares reports and completes forms at a rapid rate of speed; collects and gathers data and information using electronic and other resources; and uses computers to perform various functions.

Job Related and Essential Qualifications

Demonstrated Knowledge of:

• Basic English grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, and report writing techniques;
• Basic mathematics;
• Effective communication and public speaking techniques;
• Problem solving techniques;
• Effective interpersonal relations;
• Computer operating systems and software applications.

Demonstrated Skills to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Read, understand, explain, implement, and enforce technical material consisting of laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property, and the maintenance of law, order, and the peace;
• Observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places;
• Think and act quickly in emergencies;
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action;
• Use good judgment in making decisions, often under pressure;
• Understand and carry out written and oral directions;
• Speak clearly and concisely;
• Write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports;
• Perform basic math computations;
• Safely operate motor vehicles;
• Establish cooperative relationships with co-workers, supervisors, public officials, employees of other agencies;
• Be mentally alert to make observations;
• Relate effectively to the general public;
• Utilize computers and computer software, as required;
• Adhere to the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Code of Ethics.

Ability to:

• Work as a member of a team or autonomously with minimal supervision;
• Learn and apply City and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and orders;
• and work effectively with the public, co-workers, non-sworn personnel, supervisors, and other local, state and federal government and law enforcement agencies.

Experience, Education and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience, education and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

• Experience: Experience working in a police program or police department is desirable.
• Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• College courses related to law enforcement are desirable.
• Training: Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to this job classification.
• License: Possession of a valid California Drivers license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City.
• Age: Minimum 21 years old.

Other Requirements

• Willingness and ability to work any shift;
• work holidays, weekends, scheduled and emergency overtime;
• be available on call, as required;
• work under potentially hazardous conditions taking all necessary safety precautions;
• learn and retain a great deal of factual material;
• attend training classes during work and non-work hours, as required;
• wear a uniform;
• comply with departments grooming standards;
• maintain high moral character and integrity;
• and demonstrate a high desire for self-improvement.

Special Requirements

• Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to:
• lift, drag, and transport objects/individuals weighing up to 150 pounds;
• see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print, detect subtle shades of color with no color deficiencies and vision no less than 20/100 uncorrected in either eye and 20/30 corrected in either eye;
• hear well enough to detect unusual sounds, distinguish voices over background noise;
• speak and hear well enough to communicate over the telephone, radio, and in person at distances of up to 50 feet;
• voice volume and speech clarity to command during an emergency;
• use of hands and fingers to write, operate equipment, drive a vehicle, discharge various weapons, operate a personal computer keyboard;
• sit and/or stand for long periods of time;
• other physical requirements as in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual

City of Livermore

Benefits Summary

Livermore Police Officers work varying shifts such as 4/10 or 4/11, depending on the assignment and will work on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, standby, call back, and overtime. Are you willing and able to accept these conditions of employment as a Police Officer? Yes No

License Requirements

• Possession of a valid California Drivers license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City.

Age Requirements

• Minimum 21 years old.

Additional Documents Required

Each applicant must submit their scores from these two tests as part of the application process. Select police academies will administer these specific written and physical agility tests. Contact Human Resources at HR@LivermoreCA.gov with further inquiries regarding this requirement or test location recommendations.

The following two scores must be submitted for your application to be complete:

• A passing score of 50 or higher on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written test dated within the last six months from the date of application submission.
• A passing score of 320 or higher on the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) Physical Agility Test written test dated within the last six months from the date of application submission.

These documents shall be attached upon submitting your online application. If you do not attach the documents at the time you submit your application, you must email them to HR@LivermoreCA.gov or fax to (925) 960-4105.

Selection Process

Candidates who are considered for this position will be subject to the following as part of the selection process for the Livermore Police Department:

1) Polygraph test 2) Background investigation (minimally includes verification of education, employment, military, criminal history, civil litigation, credit history, DMV records, and personal history) 3) Post-offer drug screen 4) Post-offer medical examination 5) Post-offer psychological examination.

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