Police Officer (Recruit)

Police Officer (Recruit)

Interested in making a difference in the community? The Vallejo Police Department is seeking highly motivated individuals who can demonstrate sound judgment, have superior decision-making skills, and who are eager to participate in a high level of community collaboration, strategic partnerships, and progressive problem solving.

The position this recruitment is for is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified. Employees in this trainee-level, non-safety assignment, will be completing a POST certified Basic Police Academy (POST Academy), or those who are currently enrolled in an academy, and as such are considered temporary, at-will employees serving at the pleasure of the hiring authority. Assignment to this classification is limited to a maximum of one year. A Police Officer (Recruit) who fails to successfully complete the academy will be terminated.

The Police Officer (Recruit) will undergo a polygraph examination, thorough background investigation, psychological assessment, medical examination, and drug tests prior to attending a POST Basic Police Academy of the City's choosing. Attendance at the academy is at the City's expense. Upon successful completion of a POST Academy, the Police Officer (Recruit) is sworn in as a peace officer in the Police Officer (Entry) class and begins an 18-month probationary period.

The Vallejo Police Department's mission is to provide professional law enforcement services that enhance, protect, and promote the quality of life for persons residing, visiting, or doing business in the City of Vallejo. As an integral part of the community the Vallejo Police Department is committed to providing a highly professional, ethical and quality Police service. The proud men and women of the Department are dedicated to maintaining law and order by proactively addressing crime, protecting welfare, property, and the rights of all people. In partnership with the community, community groups and other city departments, the Vallejo Police Department continually endeavors to improve its service, making Vallejo a safe place to live, work and visit.

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

Important responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following : Ride with officers to observe and learn peace officer responsibilities and techniques. Operate police information equipment, including computer systems, teletypes and telephones to enter and research information at the direction of an Officer or police civilian. Assist in processing, packaging, labeling, storing and destroying property and evidence; may provide assistance with photocopies, files, indexes and locating police records and related paperwork. Perform errands for the department such as transporting information and paperwork to court and district attorney offices; perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge : Basic English grammar, composition, spelling and punctuation; Basic mathematics; Effective communication and public speaking; Effective problem solving techniques; Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts; Basic computer operating systems and software applications related to the work.

Ability to : Successfully complete the POST Basic Police Academy; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; Learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations; Learn to implement and enforce laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property and the maintenance of law, order and peace with a 21st Century Community Policing mind-set; Observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places; Think and act quickly in emergency situations; Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action; Exercise sound judgment, often under pressure; Understand and carry out written and oral directions; Write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports; Perform basic math computations; Safely operate motor vehicles; Establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, supervisors, public officials and representative of other agencies; Utilize computers and computer software, as required; Learn to meet the minimum standards of use with department-issued or approved lethal and non-lethal weapons; Perform in specialized assignments as required.

Minimum Experience and Training Guidelines : A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Other Requirements : Possession of a valid California driver's license; Be 20 years old at the time of appointment, and at least 21 years of age upon POST Academy graduation; Vision correctable to 20 / 20 in both eyes with normal color vision; Must be eligible for U.S. citizenship upon academy graduation; No felony convictions; No misdemeanor convictions which mandate weapons prohibitions.