Police Officer Trainee Santa Rosa

• 21 years of age or older
• Graduated from a U.S. High School or passed the G.E.D. Test or California High School Proficiency Exam at time of application
• No felony convictions as an adult

The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

• Patrol assigned area of the City in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot;
• enforce local, State and Federal laws;
• respond to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies;
• prepare reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed;
• conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths;
• make arrests;
• interrogate suspects and interview victims, complainants and witnesses;
• coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations;
• testify and present evidence in court;
• provide backup assistance for other officers and personnel;
• collect, preserve, and maintain evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping;
• assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings;
• search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners;
• respond to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations;
• maintain contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the public;
• serve warrants and subpoenas;
• observe, monitor, direct, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions;
• check buildings for physical security;
• and administer first aid.

• Perform undercover and surveillance activities;
• develop and maintain good relationships with informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations;
• prepare search and arrest warrants;
• contact and cooperate with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses;
• make presentations to citizens and groups;
• assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties;
• may serve as a member of a Special Response Team;
• may serve as Field Training Officer, supervising and training new personnel;
• coordinate departmental training programs;
• prepare, submit, and administer grants; conduct specialized crime prevention programs;
• seize assets through the preparation and service of asset seizure documentation;
• manage a caseload of registered sex offenders, including initial registration, follow up, and coordination with the Department of Justice;
• provide training for department personnel in such areas as defensive tactics, use of firearms, defensive driving, crowd control, use of chemical agents, and other specialized functions;
• collect, analyze, and disseminate criminal street gang information;
• and direct traffic at fires, special events and other emergency or congested situations.

Required Qualifications

Ability to:
Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places; demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately; maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations; learn, understand, and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics; handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; understand and carry out oral and written directions; uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times.

Additional Information

The selection process has three testing parts. You must successfully complete each part to be invited to the next.

Part I: Written Exam
Applicants considered most qualified based on a screening of applications and questionnaires will be invited to the California P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written examination. The PELLETB has three test components: a writing skills test that measures writing clarity, vocabulary, and spelling; a reading test that measures reading comprehension; and a reasoning ability test. The minimum qualifying score is a T-Score of 42.

Part I testing, the PELLETB written examination, will be scheduled on a as needed basis.

If you have taken the California P.O.S.T. PELLETB written examination within one year prior to application and received a T-Score of 42 or above, please attach to your online application documentation listing the agency you tested with, the test date, and your T-Score; and if qualifying and approved, we will waive the Part I PELLETB written examination requirement.

Part II: Oral Appraisal Interview
Applicants successful in Part II testing will be invited to the oral appraisal interview. The oral appraisal interview will evaluate your education, training, experience, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, community involvement/cultural awareness and other job-related qualifications.

Interviews will be scheduled by appointment. 

Part III: Background Investigation
Part III consists of a thorough background investigation which includes: police records checks, D.M.V. records review, P.O.S.T. Personal History Statement, SRPD Background Issues Questionnaire, employer reference checks, and polygraph examination.

All applicants successful in the background investigation screening and the Chief's interview will be required to take and pass Physical Function Testing, a comprehensive medical examination, and a psychological evaluation prior to appointment.

Vision Acuity Standards:
For individuals wearing eye glasses or hard contact lenses, uncorrected vision of 20/80 or better in both eyes; corrected vision of 20/30 when both eyes are tested together. For those wearing soft contact lenses, no uncorrected far-vision acuity standard applies, but vision must be corrected to 20/30 when both eyes are tested together. The wearer of hard or soft lenses must have at least one year of successful use. Normal color vision is required. Individuals who have had LASIK surgery may be cleared for hire if visual function standards are met and there is no presence of significant symptoms, complications, or regression.

Working Conditions:
Incumbents in this classification are required to work rotating shifts and assignments, and may be assigned to work overtime with little or no notice. Due to the varied and unpredictable nature of police work, incumbents may also be required to perform the following:

Measure distances using calibrated instruments such as when investigating traffic accidents or processing crime scenes; make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position such as when sighting and shooting a firearm; direct traffic which requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements; use sufficient strength to enable the incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects; coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with firearm drawn, flashlight on and opening and closing doors; bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes; patrol officers wear a 15 pound utility/gun belt which requires the continuous support from stomach and lower back muscles; a patrol officer typically spends 7 - 8 hours per day driving a vehicle which requires the continuous support of lower back muscles; climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet; searching for suspects or lost persons may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery or rocky surfaces including fields, parks, hillsides and creeks; an officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation; move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated persons short and long distances; work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures; sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance; foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit or rest at will; crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, unable to sit or rest at will.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.   

The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being noticed that an event requiring accommodation is occurring. You may also contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 543-3060 or [email protected]. 

Martin Rivera