Police Officer Trainee

What's the Role and What You'll Do

The Role

We're looking for compassionate and committed individuals to build progressive relationships and make a difference in Mountain View's diverse and engaged community who are looking to begin a career in law enforcement. The Police Department is committed to the philosophy of Community Policing, which includes developing connections within our diverse community and working proactively to identify and solve community issues. Our Officers and their approach to police work reflect this commitment. We encourage you to visit, "Join MVPD" for more information regarding the recruitment process for this rewarding career opportunity.

The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn, entry-level position in the Police Department for individuals without prior sworn law enforcement experience, or those who have yet to complete the Police Academy. At the commencement of employment, Police Officer Trainees will complete a POST-approved Police Academy prior to beginning their field training program with the Mountain View Police Department. Upon successful completion of the academy, Police Officer Trainees will be reclassified as sworn Police Officers. Review our detailed job description here.

What You'll Do

The Police Officer Trainee will provide community service such as:

• Respond to requests for police service.

• Provide public assistance and education.

• Proactively detect and address community concerns and issues.

• Problem solve and mediate utilizing the principles of de-escalation.

• Build progressive relationships with a foundation of respect and trust.

• Facilitate due process with professionalism: conduct interviews and investigations, prepare reports, apprehend and process offenders and testify in court.

Community Service the Mountain View way:

• Provide Exceptional Service: We value being responsive to the communities needs and seek to earn the public's confidence and satisfaction with fair and impartial services that are highly competent, professional and accessible to all.

• Act with Integrity: We value a commitment to the nobility of policing, and the ethical standards of the organization and our profession. We are trustworthy, reliable and committed to doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.

• Treat Others with Respect: We value approaching every contact with a guardian mindset that embodies treating people with dignity and respect, giving them a voice and listening, being impartial and fair, and building trust in our interactions with the public and our colleagues.

The Essentials

Eligible Police Officer Trainee candidates will possess the following:

• 40 semester or 60 quarter units from an accredited college (college units must be completed by time of application).

• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

• Vision and hearing capability consistent with POST.

• A minimum of 21 years of age.

In addition, one of the following must be attached:

• POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) Certificate with a T-Score of 50 or higher

• The POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) test is administered through the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium (SBRPSTC) at various locations, among other California academy locations, and candidates who successfully pass this test battery receive a certificate. A copy of the certificate must be attached to your city application through Government Jobs. It is preferred for applicants to attach this certificate to their application upon submittal. If you are awaiting certificate/results at the time of application, you may submit your application without the certificate and provide the certificate to Human Resources no later than 5:00 PM PST Sunday, December 1, 2024. Please note, your application will not be considered until and unless the required certificate is attached.

• The PELLETB is a timed, 2-1/2 hour written test consisting of multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions designed to measure reading and writing ability.

• Candidates must schedule appointment in advance to take the test. For information on testing dates, locations, and directions visit https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests. Valid POST certificates from other testing locations will be accepted.

• Test results from another agency that administered the PELLETB onsite are accepted as long as they meet all other requirements outlined above.

• OR -

• National Testing Network FrontLine Law Enforcement Test:

• Reading Score: 70% or higher

• Writing Score: 70% or higher

• Video score of 65% or higher

• This test is administered through the National Testing Network (NTN). Candidate scores will be available to each law enforcement agency selected by the candidate prior to the test date. You must select Mountain View Police Department before your test date; once the test is complete, you will only be allowed to add departments that are new to NTN. Upon completion of the exam, candidate scores are automatically forwarded to selected agencies in up to two business days. Test scores must be received by Human Resources no later than 5:00 PM PST Sunday, December 1, 2024. Please note, your application will not be considered until and unless the required test score is received.

• The NTN FrontLine Law Enforcement Test is a timed 2-hour written test designed to measure reading ability, writing ability, and use of good judgement.

• NTN offers testing at various times and locations nation-wide. To schedule a test with results automatically forwarded to Mountain View Police Department, visit https://nationaltestingnetwork.com, click Law Enforcement, and select the check box next to Mountain View Police Department.

• Screenshots of test results received for agencies will not be accepted; candidates must send test results to Mountain View via NTN.

Contact Sergeant Galloway with questions regarding this process at (650)903-6344.

Are We a Match?

• You're a leader who can help the community solve problems and work through difficult situations.

• You have effective verbal and written communication skills.

• You're friendly and approachable; you like people and enjoy helping them.

• You have the ability to focus and be fully present while working on multiple assignments.

• You understand the importance of acting confidently as well as compassionately.

Apply Now

Submit your application and resume online at Government Jobs or to the Human Resources Department; City of Mountain View, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 903-6309. Please provide a valid email address on your application. This recruitment will close at 5:00 PM PST on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Depending on the number of applicants this process may be altered.

• BONUS OPPORTUNITY
• The $5,000 new hire bonus is reserved for new hires; current City of Mountain View employees are not eligible. Bonus is paid in two payments; $2,500 in your first paycheck and $2,500 following successful completion of the probationary period.

Fine Print.

Depending on the number of applications, the above process may be altered. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request. The City of Mountain View is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Candidates on the eligibility list must successfully pass a medical exam, psychological screening and an extensive background investigation conducted under POST guidelines, including a polygraph and a DOJ and FBI fingerprint check, prior to employment. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification or termination. Candidates with a disability which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should advise the Human Resources Division upon submittal of application. The City of Mountain View is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Mountain View Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for law enforcement agencies.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our Benefit Comparison Chart.

Agency City of Mountain View (CA)

Address 500 Castro Street

Mountain View, California, 94041

Website https://www.mountainview.gov/