POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT
DEFINITION
Under close supervision, Gonzales Police Officer Recruits participate in a basic law enforcement training program. Gonzales Police Officer Recruits gain an understanding of police procedures, law enforcement techniques, and first aid, and acquire physical and emotional skills needed to complete the police academy successfully and may perform non-sworn, nonhazardous duties in support of a variety of police operations.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Police Officer Recruit is a career developmental classification used to recruit and train qualified candidates to learn the duties of a Police Officer. Incumbents of this class undergo a formal, comprehensive training program in a State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). Basic Police Academy to prepare for performing duties in support of police operations. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in the required physical agility-testing component before and during the academy. On-going physical training will be a required skill set for any successful incumbent.
Upon satisfactory graduation from a P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy, a Police Officer Recruit meeting the requirements of the Police Officer classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Police Officer Recruit.
Employees shall not be classified as Police Officer Recruit for more than one year from the date of hire unless the employee was unsuccessful in an Academy and the employee is invited to participate in an additional academy. Advancement to a Police Officer is dependent upon satisfactory job performance. Failure to graduate from the Police Academy and/or failure to meet satisfactory progress within the prescribed training period will be cause for termination.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
As a Police Officer Recruit, the Recruit will attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T), a certified basic academy during regular academy hours, and any other scheduled departmental and academy exercise activities. Successful completion of the academy is required to continue employment and be promoted to a Police Officer Recruit. General supervision will be provided from high-level Police Department personnel, both sworn and professional, and P.O.S.T. Academy Staff. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, the trainee shall receive additional professional developed in a P.O.S.T approved Field Training Program. Successful completion of Departments Field Training Programs is a requirement to complete the probationary period.
EXHIBIT A
2 EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following are typical illustrations of duties encompassed by the Police Officer Recruit job class, not an all-inclusive or limiting list:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Learn and apply knowledge of the Gonzales Police Department's organization, chain of command, and rules and regulations.
• Learn, identify, and emulate principles and techniques that promote community service, crime prevention, and appropriate behavior.
• Learn and apply knowledge of enforcement and procedural aspects of criminal law and the legal obligations inherent in enforcement of those laws. • Learn and apply knowledge of proficient application of the rules of evidence. Receive training in and practice effective and professional communications through written, oral, and mechanical media.
• Learn to recognize vehicle violations, locating the violations in the Vehicle Code, and, under supervision, safely and professionally contact the violator. • Learn and apply basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and witness interrogation.
• Learn and practice physical fitness and defense techniques programs. • Learn and practice first aid, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation techniques. • Regular, predictable, consistent and timely attendance is an essential function of the position in that Employees must be present to accomplish the tasks of the position.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to:
• Acquire, through training, knowledge of modern approved principles, practices, and procedures of police work, state laws, City ordinances, first aid, the geography of the City, and the location of important buildings.
• Write clearly, accurately, concisely, legibly, and with correct English, grammatical construction and spelling.
• Read and interpret complex technical documents in English. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Observe, assimilate, remember, record, and recall pertinent facts and details. Read maps and mapped information.
• Apply selected knowledge (i.e., laws, statutes, court decisions, department policies, criminal investigation theories, etc.) in collecting, organizing, and analyzing a variety of information in order to decide on an appropriate and reasonable course of action. • Analyze problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take effective action in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to skillfully and effectively interact with various racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups.
• Plan and effectively present material orally to diverse groups. Deal courteously but firmly with the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other City employees.
• Undergo strenuous physical conditioning.
3 • Ability to work under physical and mental pressures and in potentially hazardous situations as determined by a pre-employment psychological exam.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Education: High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
Experience: No experience is required.
Bilingual: Knowledge of a second language is beneficial.
License or Certification: Ability to obtain and maintain a CA POST certificate or CA POST Proof or Eligibility certificate.
Special Qualifications Age: Must be at least 21 years of age by the time of appointment to Police Officer.
Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment.
Citizenship: Per SB960, effective Jan 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law but do not have to be U.S. citizens or applying for citizenship.
Felony Convictions: Free of felony convictions under California Government Code Section 1029.
Background: Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, credit check, and drug use history. • No use or possession of drug classified as a hallucinogenic within 7 years prior to application for employment.
• No other illegal use or possession of drug not mentioned above (including cocaine) within 3 years prior to application for employment.
Must pass a medical examination, drug test, and psychological test.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability: Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking for extended time periods, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. It may require long periods of sitting when in a patrol car or classroom setting.
Physical Agility: Must be agile and able to chase suspects on foot and climb walls/fences/stairs while carrying standard safety gear.
Other Requirements: Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures, or physical appearance associated with objects and people. 4 SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants who successfully pass both the written exam and physical agility tests (PELLETB score of 46 or higher) will be screened to determine suitability for hiring. South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium offers the tests on behalf of the Gonzales Police Department.
Various dates and locations are available. These exams must be taken prior to submitting an application with our department.
Paper work to be submitted:
1.) WSTB physical agility exam (must have passed) letter.
2.) POST PELLET B written exam with a passing score of 46 and above OR submitted scores through the National Testing Network.
The written and physical exam will be waived for academy graduates and lateral applicants.
Please attach copy of POST Certificate.
Environmental Factors:
May be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, intense noises, and environmental dangers.
Supplemental Information: THE DEPARTMENT
The members of the Gonzales Police Department are dedicated to impacting the community in positive ways, everyday, through strong community relationships and problem solving. The Department works committed to ensure the public’s safety through community engagement, education, enforcement, and professional development, and strives to ensure the health, safety, and security of the community.
Our core values are: Serve, Care, and Connect.