Description

How to Become a Police Officer Handbook

Testing will take place on a rolling basis. Testing dates will be announced via e-mail. Notices will only be sent once a date is scheduled. Application status updates will not be provided outside of test invitation notices.

Law enforcement is at its finest here at the City of Paso Robles Police Department. With state of the art equipment and a community-oriented proactive approach to crime, the City of Paso Robles Police Department offers a work environment unlike any in San Luis Obispo County. If you are interested in working with exceptional individuals in a tight knit community, we encourage you to apply.

Please note this recruitment is intended for those applicants who are not yet certified law enforcement officers and will require training at a police academy. If you are currently enrolled in or have graduated from a police academy, please apply to the Police Officer (Academy Grad/Entry Level) recruitment.

Wage Range

Academy: $30.82 per hour | $64,110.02 annually

Starting Officer: $44.38 per hour | $92,316.38 annually

The Community

El Paso de Robles, or "The Pass of the Oaks," is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, in San Luis Obispo County. Paso Robles is surrounded by scenic rolling hills and California’s premier wine regions and is only 27 miles from beautiful beaches. This thriving community of over 30,000 actively engaged residents possesses the benefits of a suburban-rural community while retaining a small-town feel. With over 200 wineries nearby and a bustling downtown with a variety of excellent restaurants and specialty retail, Paso Robles is fast becoming one of the most desirable and places to live, work, and play.

Paso Robles has a long history of agriculture and hospitality resulting in a strong work ethic and an enjoyable quality of life. Once hailed as the “Almond Capital of the World”, Paso Robles is now known for top quality food, wine, beer, distilled spirits, and an annual calendar filled with events that celebrate everything from wine to pioneers to classic cars. Paso Robles has been honored by the national media, including Country Living’s “10 Best Small Towns in America”; Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “Best Small Towns to Retire to in America”; the Today Show’s “Top Summer Destination for 2021”; a New York Times “Must Visit Region”; Sunset Magazine’s “Best Travel Spots for 2021”; and Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “Wine Region of the Year”.

The City understands the importance of business development and works hard to attract commerce in a diverse array of industries. The economic outlook for Paso Robles continues to be strong. The housing market is robust and offers a wide array of housing choices including new neighborhoods, houses with acreage, infill, and charming Victorian homes, with a median home price of about $634,500. Paso Robles also has excellent schools, both public and private. Approximately half an hour away is the nationally ranked Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and within the city of Paso Robles is Cuesta College, North County Campus.

The Position

This is a non-sworn, training-level classification in the Police Department. Recruits do not have police officer powers or authority. Incumbents will assume non-sworn duties within the department and attend a six-month P.O.S.T. Certified Academy. A housing allowance is available for qualified candidates. The academy is intense and requires a high degree of discipline.

Upon graduation and award of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy certificate, incumbents will be appointed to the position of Police Officer, assigned step 1 of the wage range (which is currently $3,550.63 biweekly), and assume the benefits associated with the Paso Robles Police Officers Association (POA) bargaining unit. After six months at step 1, incumbents will be eligible for evaluation to step 2 (which is currently $3,766.28 biweekly). Details of the POA benefits can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Typical Duties

Must Have The Ability To

Understand, interpret, and apply state and local laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to law enforcement
React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action
Observe and remember facts and details of incidents
Follow oral and written instructions
Learn to operate firearms safely and skillfully
Obtain information through interview, interrogation, and observation
Write clear and accurate reports
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Communicate verbally in a clear, effective manner and provide excellent customer service
Deal tactfully and effectively with a wide range of different individuals and groups from the community
Work rotating day and evening shifts

Employment Standards & Special Requirements

Education And Experience

Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be equivalent to graduation from high school and three years of responsible experience working in an organization which will have provided knowledge of the departmental function to which assigned.

Completion of 12 semester units from an accredited college, university, or trade school in a field related to the work assigned, as well as additional specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable. Spanish language skills and experience working in a public agency setting are also desirable.

Physical Demands And Working Environment

Environment: High-stress police training academy environment; indoor classrooms and outdoor physical agility course; exposure to noise, smoke, and fumes.

Vision: Must be correctable to 20/30 both eyes – normal color acuity.

Weight: Should be proportional to height.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid California Class C driver license and have a satisfactory driving record
At least 21 years of age upon acceptance to the police academy
Must be free of any felony convictions
Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer
Ability to legally possess a firearm per the State of California
Must possess and maintain a P.O.S.T. approved Penal Code 832 certification and CPR/First Aid certification within twelve months of appointment

Selection Procedure & Application Process

Selection Components

PELLETB Written Exam

A score of 39 or above on the PELLETB is considered passing.

Testing for the PELLETB more than once in a 30-day period is prohibited.

Your participation in the PELLETB written exam may be waived if you have taken the PELLETB test within one year from the scheduled test date and received a score of 39 or above; documentation of your test score on agency letterhead must be provided with your application. The Academy (South Bay Regional Public Safety Training) holds PELLETB exams at various locations that can be used to waive our exam. Additional testing opportunities can be found here.

2. Physical Assessment Test (PAT)

Your participation in the physical assessment may be waived if you have taken and passed a Physical Assessment Test (PAT) from another agency or academy within a year from the scheduled test date; documentation on agency letterhead must be provided with your application.

Candidates that pass both the PELLETB written exam and the PAT may be invited to interview.

Interview

Application Process

To be considered with the next pull of applicants, apply now!

This is a confidential recruitment and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process. Candidates should be aware that references will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.

Applications will be reviewed for accuracy, completeness and job-related qualifications. A limited number of persons whose applications clearly demonstrate they most closely meet the requirements may be invited to participate in the selection process, which may be any combination of written, oral, and/or performance exams. All statements made in the application materials are subject to verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification or discharge.

Appointment is subject to successfully passing a pre-employment physical, psychological exam, polygraph, and background and criminal history check. Before starting work, applicants must present documentation of their identity, authorization to work in the United States, and a DMV driving record.

City of Paso Robles participates in E-Verify (more information can be found at www.PRCity.com/HR). Following appointment as a Police Officer Recruit, a twelve-month probationary period may be required as the final phase of the appointment process. Upon graduation and award of the Academy Basic Certificate, the incumbent may be appointed to and sworn in as a Police Officer and begin a new 18-month probationary period.

The email address you provide on the City application will be the primary means of communication the City will use to contact you regarding your application and this recruitment. If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (805) 227-7234, or by email at Jobs@PRCity.com.

All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are designated as "disaster service workers" as defined in the California Government Code section 3100 and 3101.

The City of Paso Robles provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract.

Photos by @brittanyapp

Vacation: Accrual of 80 hours per year, increasing with years of service

Sick Leave: Accrual of 96 hours per year

Holidays: 14 paid days per year

Health Insurance

Medical: City pays $813.24 per month of the employee premium, $1,569.73 per month of the premium for employee with one dependent, and $2,047.49 per month of the premium for employee with two or more dependents; employees who opt out of health coverage may be eligible for a payment of $300 per month
Dental: City pays full premium for employee and partial premium for family
Vision: City pays full premium for employee & family

Retirement

CalPERS:
- Classic Tier 1 members participate in a formula of 2.5% at 55, with the employee paying an 8% member contribution, plus a 2% cost sharing contribution, for a total of 10%. The highest year is used for final compensation calculation.
- Classic Tier 2 members participate in a formula of 2% at 60, with the employee paying a 7% member contribution, plus a 3% cost sharing contribution, for a total of 10%. An average of the 3 highest years is used for final compensation calculation.
- PEPRA members participate in a formula of 2% at 62, with the employee paying one-half of the normal cost (currently 7.75%) contribution, plus a 3% cost sharing contribution, for a current total of 10.75%. An average of the 3 highest years is used for final compensation calculation.
457 Deferred Compensation: The City will match up to $25 per pay period
Social Security: Both the City and employee participate in Social Security

Life Insurance: Employee only coverage of $75,000 paid for by the City

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The City pays the full premium for employee and family

Flexible Spending Account: Allows you to pay for dependent care and un-reimbursed medical expenses on a pre-tax basis

Bilingual Pay: Spanish verbal skills: $100 per month; Spanish written skills: $25 per month

Education Reimbursement: Reimbursement up to $3,000 per fiscal year for educational costs directly related to occupational field or for promotion within City service

Commercial License Incentive: Employees in eligible positions who hold a valid Class A or Class B California commercial driver license, maintain a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate, and are cleared by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse to drive commercial vehicles shall receive $100 per pay period, subject to department director approval

Retiree Health Reimbursement: Up to $500 per month reimbursement of health premiums until the age of 65 for employees who retire from the City with at least 20 years of service

For additional details and information, please see the SEIU Memorandum of Understanding located on our website here.

01

Do you possess a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent?

02

Have you taken and passed the P.O.S.T. Entry Level Test Battery (PELLETB) Law Enforcement Exam with another agency within the last year? If yes, please submit certified results as an attachment to your application. The document must contain your name, your passing score(s), the date of the exam(s), and must be on the testing agency or academy's letterhead.

03

Have you taken and passed a WSTB Physical Assessment Test for an academy or an Agility Test from another agency within the last year? If yes, please submit certified results as an attachment to your application. The document must contain your name, your passing score(s), the date of the exam(s), and must be on the testing agency or academy's letterhead.

04

Are you currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Police Officer Academy?

05

If currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Police Officer Academy, please enter your graduation date.

06

Are you able to legally possess a firearm per the State of California?

07

Please indicate that you understand and meet the requirement that you must be at least 21 years of age at the time of acceptance to a P.O.S.T. Certified Academy, and that those applicants who do not meet this qualification will be disqualified.

08

Do you understand that successful completion of a P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Academy is required within 12 months of appointment?

09

Have you included all work history for the past 10 years, including the reason for leaving prior employers?

10

Why are you interested in becoming a Police Officer for the City of Paso Robles?

Required Question

City of Paso Robles

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