IPD Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $5,621.20 Monthly

Location : Indio, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 10292025

Department: POLICE FIELD SERVICES

Opening Date: 10/29/2025

Closing Date: 3/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

***DISCLAIMER: The City reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received. The City is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make all reasonable accommodations for the disabled to participate in employment programs and facilities. Women, minorities, and disabled individuals are encouraged to apply. The finalist candidate must pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen

Please review the following common disqualifiers. If any items listed pertain to you, you will be automatically disqualified in the background investigation. You may, at this time, want to screen yourself and withdraw prior to starting the recruitment process.

• Any illegal use, sales, or possession of a drug classified as an opiate (heroin, opium, etc.) or PCP.

• Any use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) within five years of date of application.

• Any illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of date of application.

• A pattern or history of irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, failure to pay, late payments, etc.

• Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of the date of application.

• Conviction of a hit-and run offense.

• Any driver's license suspension within five years of date of application.

• Conviction of a felony crime.

• Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.

• Any conviction as an adult, of any misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses or crimes against children.

• Any conviction as an adult, of a theft or larceny crime.

The following may result in disqualification:

• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) previous to five years of application.

• Prior nitrous oxide use.

• Illegal use of anabolic steroids previous to three years of application.

• Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/ syringe.

• A bankruptcy within the past three years of date of application.

• More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, and/or three or more moving citations within the past three years, and/or five or more moving citations within the past five years of date of application

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, attends a prescribed law enforcement academy training program for newly hired officers; performs related duties as required. The IPD Police Officer Trainee position is not eligible for overtime.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The IPD Police Officer Trainee is reserved for individuals hired to become Police Officers who are attending or are being sponsored to attend the required basic law enforcement training academy program. Upon successful completion of the required training and taking the Oath of Office, employees will transition to probationary Police Officer status. A Police Officer Trainee who fails to successfully complete an academy in which he/she was enrolled will be terminated.

Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)

• Participates in and completes a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level officers, including training in report writing, laws of arrest and seizure, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival and physical fitness.

• Prior to entering the law enforcement academy training program, may perform a wide variety of police support duties as part of an orientation program, which may include dispatching and records maintenance, acting as desk officer, and/or assisting in planning and research activities.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

Receives general supervision from a training officer (or higher-ranking position, depending upon assignment).

Qualifications

Education:

The required qualification is to possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

License/Certificate:

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license.

Other Requirements:

Transcripts must be submitted with your application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Applications without transcripts will be automatically disqualified.

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship and be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application, and at least 21 years of age by the time of sworn appointment.

Special Requirements:

Applicants must meet the California police officer selection standards (Codes 1029 & 1031) as listed below:

• Free of any felony convictions.

• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship and be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application, and at least 21 years of age by the time of sworn appointment.

• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.

• Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.

• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Application Procedure:

1. Apply online at posting and completing the online application in full, including education and job history. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of an application. Candidates with incomplete applications will not be able to progress to the Written Examination.

2. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION. UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE ACCEPTABLE.

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT TRANSCRIPTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED.

Applicants must successfully pass the following requirements:

• Reading and Writing Ability Assessment

• Physical Abilities Test

• Oral Interview

• Background Investigation

• Medical Evaluation

• Drug Screening

• Polygraph Examination

• Psychological Examination

• Administration Interview

• Valid, current California Driver's license and satisfactory driving record

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

Working knowledge of operations and standard operating procedures of a Police Department; principles of crime prevention and suppression; modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, investigation, public relations and report writing; basic principles of law enforcement information systems Vehicle and Penal Codes, laws of arrest, rules of evidence, legal rights of citizens, court procedures; basic principles of mathematics; applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; standard office procedures, practices, and equipment; modern office equipment, including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling, and grammar; occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Skill to:

Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications; safely and effectively operate a variety of law enforcement equipment, firearms, and a police vehicle in emergency situations.

Ability to:

Gather, analyze and evaluate facts and evidence and reach sound conclusions; act quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergency situations; enforce laws, regulations, policies, rules, and procedures; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations; read, interpret, and record data accurately; make clear and concise radio transmissions; observe and recall names, faces, and details of incidents; write clear, concise, grammatically correct and accurate reports; understand and follow verbal and written directions; organize, prioritize, and follow-up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; analyze a complex issue and develop and implement an appropriate response; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; work a variety of shifts as assigned; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A flex benefit is provided monthly. There are several medical insurance programs, two dental plans and one vision plan from which to choose.

RETIREMENT: City participates in the 2% @ 62 for new PERS miscellaneous members and 2.7 @ 57 for New PERS sworn program. The City also participates in social security. Please contact Human Resources if you are an existing PERS member.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution, a choice of two 457 plans.

VACATION LEAVE: Based on length of employment with the City. 0<4 years = 3.08 hours, 4<7 years = 4.62 hours, 7<10 years = 5.54 hours, 10 years = 6.15 hours, 11 years = 6.46 hours, 12 years = 6.77 hours, 13 years = 7.08 hours, 14 years = 7.39 hours and 15 more years = 7.69 hours.

Maximum vacation accumulation shall be three (3) times that employee's annual accrual coinciding with his/her current rate of earning. Upon reaching this ceiling, no more vacation shall accumulate until vacation is taken.

HOLIDAYS: City observes thirteen (13) holidays each year.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Benefit pays 66.67% of earnings to a maximum of $10,000 per month; 60 day waiting period; pays to age 65. Benefit can be coordinated with other available leave balances providing 100% of pay.

LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 term life. Premiums paid by the City. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for purchase.

MILEAGE: Employees who are required to use their personal vehicles for City business shall be reimbursed at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard mileage rate.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT: May be reimbursed for actual cost, subject to availability of funds.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, or Resolution. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

01

Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent.?

Yes

No

Required Question