Entry-level police officer

Here at the Mountain View Police Department, we offer a salary for trainees in the academy of $125,497.84 annually

trainees

Knowledge of the principles and practices of police science; criminal law, especially as it relates to the apprehension, arrest and prosecution of law violators and the collection of evidence; City geography; departmental policies and procedures; and knowledge of computer keyboarding skills.

Ability to analyze and interpret police problems and criminal evidence; prepare accurate reports; establish and maintain effective community relations on both an individual and group basis; use sound judgment in all situations; and perform routine maintenance or care of vehicles, equipment or animals; ability to type on a computer keyboard; and meet and maintain POST standards.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Training

The Police Officer Trainee is a training level classification for individuals who have been pre-qualified to attend a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) -certified program for the purpose of learning the statutory duties of a law enforcement officer in the State of California. The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn position. Trainees attend a P.O.S.T.-approved academy and upon successful graduation are appointed to the position of a sworn Probationary Police Officer.

We require that all candidates have graduated from high school or are in possession of a GED. The completion of 40 semester units or 60 quarter units from an accredited college is also required. College units must be completed by the time you submit your application. Vision and hearing capabilities consistent with guidelines by POST and/or the City of Mountain View also must be met.

Police work will also require you to work outdoors in situations which may be hazardous and life-threatening. You will be required to work various shifts, overtime, and on-call as assigned.

In addition, one of the following must be completed:

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. 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 on-site are accepted as long as they meet all other requirements outlined above.

- OR -

National Testing Network FrontLine Law Enforcement Test: Reading score of 70% or higher, Writing score of 70% or higher, and 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. 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 nationwide. To schedule a test with results automatically forwarded to the 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.

Benefits

Generous paid leave, medical coverage, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and an employee assistance program (EAP). Access to non-sworn CalPERS retirement during the academy (2.7% at 55 for classic members; 2% at 62 for new members) and retiree medical benefits as well as access to IRS Section 125 flexible benefits for pretax child care, health spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement.

Our Trainee Salary: $125,497.84 Annually

Academy Graduate

Minimum Qualifications

Eligible Police Officer Academy Graduate 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, the following must be completed:

Completion of a California Basic Police Academy with a current certification obtained within the past three years.

The Academy Graduate is a post-training-level classification for those who have recently and successfully completed a California POST certified police academy. While they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve as police officers, they may not been employed as sworn police officers.

Experience and Training

Police work will also require you to work outdoors in situations which may be hazardous and life-threatening. You will be required to work various shifts, overtime and on-call as assigned.

Benefits

Our Academy Graduate Starting Salary: $137,592.26 - $167,084.84 Annually

$5,000 Hiring Bonus

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.

Ready To Join the MVPD Family?

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