Police Trainee

About the role

The Police Officer Trainee position is a non-sworn position for individuals who have not yet attended a police academy. The Town of Los Gatos is seeking candidates who have a high school degree, GED, AA or 4-year college degree or higher, at least 60 college semester units or 90 college quarter units from an accredited college, and are at least 21 years old.

Responsibilities

• Attend and successfully complete a California P.O.S.T. approved basic academy.
• Participate in rigorous physical, academic, and tactical training to prepare for the demands of a Police Officer role.
• Learn and understand state and local laws, ordinances, and departmental policies.
• Develop skills in de-escalation, community interaction, investigation techniques, and report writing.
• Perform related duties as required and directed by academy instructors and department leadership.

Requirements

• Pass a thorough background investigation, including, but not limited to, criminal history, Department of Justice fingerprinting, medical exam, including drug screening, polygraph, and psychological exam.
• Submit Pellet-B and WSTB scores dated within one year with a minimum passing score of 42.

Qualifications

• Possess a high school degree or equivalent.
• Complete at least 60 semester college credits or 90 quarter college credits from a U.S. accredited college or university at the time of graduation from the academy.
• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment as a sworn Police Officer.
• Complete a Pellet-B examination within one year of application and complete a WSTB examination dated within one year.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License at time of appointment.

Skills

• Fluency in a foreign language (desirable).

Benefits

• Paid sick leave (5 days).
• Retirement benefits through CalPERS.
• Workers' Compensation.
• Unemployment Insurance.

Pay

• Hourly Salary Range: July 2025 - $60.4683, July 2026 - $62.8870.
• Public Safety Formula Benefits.
• Scheduled salary increases for July 2025 and July 2026.

Specialized Assignments

• Canine Officer
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Investigations
• Resource Officer
• Motorcycle Officer

Attending a P.O.S.T. Police Academy

The Police Officer Trainee position requires attending a P.O.S.T. Police Academy. The academy is about 26 weeks long and covers all aspects of police work. Recruits should expect physical and mental challenges but leave equipped for the role's demands.

Additional Information

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. The department provides exceptional Law Enforcement services, builds community partnerships, and engages the community in problem-solving.