Police Officer Trainee (Non-Sworn)

Police Officer Trainee (Non-Sworn)

Salary

$85,088.90 Annually

Location

1000 Civic Center Drive, Tracy, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Department

Police

Opening Date

05/26/2026

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

TPOA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE FULL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

To apply for this excellent career opportunity, candidates must obtain: 1) California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training PELLETB written exam score dated within six (6) months of the application date; and 2) P.O.S.T. Work Sample Test Battery (Physical Agility Exam) score dated within six (6) months of the application date. Select police academies will administer these specific written and physical agility tests; however, candidates may obtain the identical certifications at other California P.O.S.T. certified testing locations. Only California P.O.S.T certifications will be accepted. To view the job flyer for this recruitment, click HERE.

Test Dates & Registration for the PELLETB and Physical Agility work Sample Test Battery (WSTB)

To register for the PELLETB and/or the WSTB, please visit https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests for a full listing of dates, times, and locations available at the South Bay Regional Testing academy. Start times vary. Please plan your time and arrive at least 15 minutes early to each exam. Testing dates are subject to change by the testing location. There is a cost associated with taking these exams. For questions regarding the testing, please feel free to contact The Academy at (408) 270-6458.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting career opportunity, please ensure you submit all required documents to be considered:

• A completed City of Tracy online application including answers to the supplemental questions (required)
• A copy of P.O.S.T, entry-level law enforcement written test battery T-score with a minimum total t-score of 48.0 or higher dated within six (6) months of the date of application (required)
• A copy of P.O.S.T, Physical Agility Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) certificate documenting a minimum score of 320 points or higher dated within six (6) months of the date of application (required)

Tentative Timeline

• Complete applications submitted between 5/27/26 - 6/18/26 will be invited to interview 7/1/26 & 7/2/26
• Complete applications submitted between 6/19/26 - 7/17/26 will be invited to interview 7/22/26 & 7/23/26
• Complete application submitted between 7/18/26 - 8/14/26 will be invited to interview 8/26/26 & 8/27/26

Essential and Marginal Duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the non-sworn, trainee-level classification in the Police Officer class series. Incumbents learn law enforcement techniques and practices as well as City systems, operations, practices, policies, and procedures and perform non-sworn police support duties while completing the mandated peace officer academy to obtain Basic P.O.S.T. certification.

Positions in the Police Officer class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Officer level are normally filled by advancement from the Trainee level after gaining the required P.O.S.T. certificate, knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Learns and applies knowledge of the City of Tracy Police Departments organization, rules, and regulations.
• Learns principles and techniques of patrol procedures, community service, crime prevention, and public relations.
• Learns and applies knowledge of enforcement and procedural aspects of criminal law, arrest and control techniques, crowd control, and the enforcement of those laws.
• Learns principles and techniques of proper use and maintenance of firearms.
• Learns vehicle operation including the Vehicle Code.
• Learns basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and interviewing witnesses.
• Learns and practices physical fitness and defense techniques programs.
• Learns and practices first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Activities and programs of a municipal Police Department.
• Basic principles of record keeping.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

ABILITY TO

• Learn basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Learn police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth (12th) grade. Applicants must be enrolled in a California P.O.S.T. approved Basic academy at the time of appointment.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license upon appointment.
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.

The City of Tracy is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From medical coverage and retirement plans to wellness programs and professional development opportunities, our benefits reflect our commitment to a thriving workforce.

For a detailed summary of all available benefits, please visit the TPOA Benefits Summary and the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Tracy and Tracy Police Officers Association.

01

All applicants for the position of Police Officer Trainee must be at list 20 1/2 years of age at the time of application. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

Candidates hired at Police Trainees will be sent to a police academy by the Tracy Police Department. To be eligible for this trainee opportunity, you cannot be currently enrolled in a policy academy, nor a graduate from a police academy. Please select the option that best matches your background.

• I am not currently attending a police academy, nor have I graduated from a police academy
• I am currently enrolled in a policy academy
• I have attended and graduated from a policy academy

03

Describe a specific scenario when you had to make a quick decision which demonstrates your ability to make quick and sound decisions. Also, include in your response what you learned from this particular situation. (Provide your response in paragraph format.)

04

If hired as a Police Officer, what measures would you take to establish and maintain effective working relationships with your co-workers and with members of the community? (Provide your answer in paragraph format.)

05

Describe the type of report, memos or letters, and research findings that you have written in school or at work. (Provide your response in paragraph format.)

06

How would you honestly rate your ability to write reports and/or related documents?

• Needs Improvement
• Average
• Above Average
• Excellent

07

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Each applicant must submit their scores from the POST PELLETB and WSTB Physical Agility Exam as part of the application process. Select police academies will administer these specific written and physical agility tests. You may also visit https://the academy.ca.gov/tests for a full listing of dates and locations available. Please plan your time and arrive at least 15 minutes early. The following two scores must be submitted for your application to be complete: A passing score of 48 or higher on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written test dated within the last six (6) months from the date of the application submission. A passing score of 320 or higher on the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) Physical Agility Test dated within the last six (6) months from the date of application submission. These documents shall be attached upon submitting your online application. I understand that I must submit the above two documents in order for my application packet to be complete.

• Yes
• No

08

Candidates who are considered for this position will be subject to the following as part of the pre-employment selection process for the Tracy Police Department: 1) Background investigation (minimally includes verification of education, employment, military, criminal history, civil litigation, credit history, DMV records, and personal history). 2) Post-offer drug screen and medical examination 3) Post-offer psychological examination I understand and agree that I will be subject to these tests.

• Yes
• No

09

Tracy Police Officers work varying shifts such as 4/10 or 4/11, depending on the assignment and will work on weekends, holidays, standby, call back and overtime. Are you willing to accept these conditions of employment as a Police Officer?

• Yes
• No

10

I hereby certify that my answers to the above questions are complete and true to the best of my knowledge. I agree and understand that any misstatement of the material facts contained in the application of supplemental questionnaire will cause me to forfeit all rights to employment with the City of Tracy.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Tracy

Address 333 Civic Center Plaza

Tracy, California, 95376

Phone 209-831-6150

209-831-6158

Website http://www.cityoftracy.org