Police Trainee

Police Trainee Salary and Job Information

Police Trainee Salary: $6,330.00 - $7,714.00 Monthly Location: City of Palm Springs, CA Job Type: Full Time - Regular Job Number: Police Trainee - 0126 Department: Police Opening Date: 01/01/2026 Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Summary

THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there's always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website.

The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.

THE POSITION: The Police Trainee is an entry-level, non-sworn training position. Police Trainees undergo a formal and comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Certified Basic Academy training program sponsored by the City of Palm Springs. Upon completion of training and graduation from the Academy with an acceptable standing, a candidate is eligible for placement as a sworn Police Officer with the City of Palm Springs.

A qualified candidate for Police Trainee must be prepared and available to attend a full-time Basic Academy for a period of up to six (6) months. The Police Academy provides training in basic criminal investigation processes and techniques; preparation of various reports; analysis of situations to make appropriate decisions under stressful situations; testify and present evidence in court, and practices and theory in criminal and civil law enforcement.

Written Test Waiver

Request a waiver on your application by responding to the applicable supplemental questions and submitting the applicable documentation if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• Have passed the National Testing Network (NTN) for the Frontline National Law Enforcement test within one (1) year of date of application.
• Were previously hired by the City of Palm Springs as a Police Officer (Recruit Level) within two (2) years of date of application.
• Have taken the California P.O.S.T. Pellet-B exam within two (2) years of date of application and acquired T-scores of 46 in all areas (reading, writing, and overall).
• Possess a bachelors or graduate degree from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America).

The selected waiver documentation MUST be submitted with the application. Applications without waiver documentation will be deemed an "Incomplete Application". If your waiver request is approved, your application will bypass the written test selection process and be moved to the physical agility test selection process. You will be notified of the physical agility test date. NOTE: If you submit waiver documentation and your waiver request is not approved you will be notified of your eligibility for the written test based on further review of your application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Essential and General Responsibilities

Police Trainee - While enrolled in the Police Academy:

• Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer, including training in report writing, laws of arrest and seizure, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival, and physical fitness.
• Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program.
• Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct.

Sworn Police Officer - Following graduation from the Academy and upon appointment to the position:

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order and discover and prevent the commission of crimes; enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Respond to general public service and crime victim calls, traffic hazards, stray animal reports, and related misdemeanors and felony incidents.
• Plan, execute, write and serve search warrants; search suspects, vehicles, residences, and buildings for evidence, contraband, and lost or missing people.
• Serve arrest warrants; make arrests for crimes committed under penal and institute codes; perform booking procedures for new prisoners; contact and interview witnesses to gain additional information.
• Process and store evidence and property found at various crime scenes; maintain records and enter data into computer as necessary.
• Investigate organized crime and gang activities, subjects, groups, and representatives relative to assigned area of responsibility; collect intelligence information and produce cases and reports for presentation to the District Attorney.
• Review and investigate reports relating to vehicle theft and accidents.
• Conduct a variety of investigations relative to assigned areas of responsibility including narcotics, property, and persons; gather information from witnesses and informants; interview suspects; prepare reports and follow up on investigations.
• Testify in juvenile and civil courts and DMV hearings; prepare and process court reports.
• Maintain and operate specialized police surveillance equipment including transmitters, radios, and cameras.
• Develop, conduct, and participate in training exercises and classes; respond to and resolve questions and concerns; stay abreast of current crime trends and innovative policing techniques; implement new information into training programs as appropriate.
• Perform unique duties of assigned area of responsibility including SWAT, K-9, bicycle, and mounted police units.
• Assist other investigators and police divisions in related investigative activities.
• May serve in a lead capacity in the absence of immediate supervisor.
• Provide news releases to the media; conduct television interviews for public awareness.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Application and Exam Information

A completed application, resume, cover letter, and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity.

Applications will be reviewed carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Selection Process Information

Applicants successful in passing minimum qualifications will be invited, via email, to submit written examination scores through National Testing Network (NTN) for the Frontline National Law Enforcement Test. Please do not submit written examination scores prior to receiving an email invitation. Visit the NTN website HERE to view testing information and to take practice examinations.

Upon completion of the entry level exam, all applicant scores are forwarded to the City of Palm Springs Department of Human Resources. An applicant must receive a minimum score of 70% in each of the examination components in order to continue in the selection process.

Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly. The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including: Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Retiree Health Savings Plan Life Insurance Long Term Disability Plan Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program Employee Assistance Program Tuition Reimbursement Program Retirement Plan through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.

Application Requirements

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to further evaluate your experience and education to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from the information included in the Work Experience and Education sections of your application? Yes No

Additional Questions

For this position you may not be related to any person currently working for the Palm Springs Police Department. Are you currently related to any other Palm Springs Police Department employee? Yes No

Are you 21 years of age or greater? Yes No

Do you have the required high school diploma or equivalent education? Yes No

Do you have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record? Yes, I have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record No, but I am able to obtain and have the ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record by the time of appointment No

Do you have possession of or the ability to obtain the required California POST Basic Certificate within six (6) months of appointment? Yes, I have the California POST Basic Certificate Yes, I am able to obtain the required California POST Basic Certificate within 6 months of appointment No

Have you, or are you currently attending a California POST certified Basic Police Academy? Yes No No. I would be willing and able to enroll and attend a California POST certified Basic Police Academy.

If you have attended or are attending a California POST certified Police Academy, please provide the location and completion date or anticipated completion date. If not applicable, please indicate "N/A".

Do you have possession of or the ability to obtain the required CPR Certificate? Yes, I have the required CPR Certificate Yes, I have