Law Enforcement Trainee

If you are interested in starting a career in law enforcement, we invite you to become a CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO POLICE DEPARTMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINEE

The Position

Law Enforcement Trainee (Police Officer Trainee) is a non-sworn, temporary classification, which may lead to an entry-level, professional law enforcement career position with the City of San Bernardino Police Department following successful completion of California POST approved Basic Academy Course and City of San Bernardino Police Department training.

This position is for individuals interested in a career as a police officer but have not yet completed Basic Academy training. Once hired, LETs are enrolled in the 23-week Basic Police Academy where they learn the skills and duties of performing law enforcement functions. While in the Academy, LETs are paid an hourly wage and benefits. Upon graduation from the Academy, LETs are appointed to the rank of Police Officer. New Police Officers then complete an additional 19 weeks of field training with an assigned Field Training Officer. After the completion of the field training program, officers are prepared to work alone in the field.

Online Written Exam

As part of the selection process, applicants will be required to participate in an online written exam in order to qualify for the Physical Agility Test. Online written exam waivers are available to those who qualify.

To qualify for the online written exam waiver, applicants must possess one of the following items:

• An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Applicants who have taken and passed the California POST PELLET-B exam with a score of 42 or higher within the last 6 months of date of application may submit their scores on official letterhead to be considered for exemption from the written exam.
• Applicants who have previously taken and passed the written exam with the City of San Bernardino's Police Department within the last 6 months of date of application.

NOTE: Proof of your degree or passing POST PELLET-B exam must be attached to your application at the time that you apply. Applicants that fail to attach proof will not be waived from the online exam.

Online Exam Due Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024

(Exam link tentatively sent on August 14, 2024)

Performance Exam Date: Wednesday August 28, 2024

About The City

The City of San Bernardino is a community rich in history and cultural diversity. Influences of Native Americans, Mexican settlers, and Spanish missionaries can still be seen throughout the City today. From 1810 to the present, San Bernardino has been recognized for its scenic beauty and strategic location. Today, the City of San Bernardino serves as the county seat and is the largest city in the County of San Bernardino with a population of 222,203.

Click here to view the Law Enforcement Trainee job description.

Education, Training and Experience:

• A high school or G.E.D. equivalent
• Must be at least 20 1⁄2 years of age at time of application.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy. For out-of-state applicants, a valid driver's license is required. A valid Class "C" California driver's license must be obtained within ten days of appointment (CA Vehicle Code 12405c).
• Free of any felony convictions.
• A citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stand; talk and hear; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and lift or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee may regularly work in outside weather conditions or in an office environment. The noise level depends on the employee's environment.

Application Submission

Please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records.

If you require technical assistance, please contact the Toll-Free Applicant Support line at Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your computer or browser used to submit the application.

Selection Process

All applicants must submit clear, concise, and complete information regarding their qualifications for the position, including detailed responses to all supplemental questions. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application or supplemental application materials.

The selection process will consist of

• Application Review
• Physical Agility Test
• Personal History Statement and Pre-Background Interview Questionnaire Packets
• Oral Exam
• Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Employment/Professional Reference Check
• Pre-employment Physical Medical Exam/Psychological exam

Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list, and highly qualified candidates will be referred to the appointing authority for further consideration. Candidates advancing in the selection process will receive information/instructions via email only.

Accommodation

The San Bernardino Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is free of all forms of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment and retaliation (Government Code §12940(k); 2 CCR

Click here (Download PDF reader) to view the Police Department's Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report.

The City of San Bernardino will provide reasonable accommodation for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability. It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department for the City of San Bernardino in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment. Please call or email Stephanie Rivera at (see below) for additional information regarding requests for accommodation.

Pre-Employment Process:

• All positions are subject to the following pre-employment screenings:
• Pre-employment Medical Exam, including drug test.
• Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Employment/Professional Reference Check.

For more information about this position, please contact the

City of San Bernardino Human Resources Department at

THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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