Police Officer Recruit

Position Description

FILING DEADLINE: Continuous/Open until Filled (City of Fresno will accept applications until a sufficient amount of applications have been received, or selection has been made; therefore the recruitment may close at anytime.)

The Fresno Police Department is looking for individuals who have the energy level and commitment to be part of a vigorous law enforcement agency that is continuously striving to take the department to the next level. The selected candidate will be expected to encompass a high level of commitment to public service. The Fresno Police Officer Recruit is the entry level class in the Police series assigned full arrest and citation powers. Under supervision, individuals assist with or may perform law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property. Incumbents receive general and special instructions from supervisors and work under the direct supervision of a training officer during the formal field training program.

The Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination:

Graduation from a California Law Enforcement Basic Academy approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within three years of appointment date; OR, a lapse of not more than three (3) years since last employment as a peace officer where the minimum qualifications required graduation from a Basic Academy. Individuals currently attending or accepted to attend California Law Enforcement Basic Academy approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training may participate in the examination process but may not be appointed to Police Officer Recruit until graduation from the Basic Academy. A letter showing proof of current/future attendance must be provided at time of application by the applicant from the accepting Academy and must be issued within thirty (30) days of the P.O.S.T approved Basic Academy start date.

Individuals currently attending a P.O.S.T. approved Basic Academy may participate in the examination process but may not be appointed until graduation from the academy. Applicants MUST attach to their online application a copy of their P.O.S.T certificate of completion, or MUST attach to their online application verification of proof of current/future attendance at an approved police academy (see instructions below on how to attach). Applicants will not be admitted into the examination without the above documentation.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License at time of application. License must be maintained during the entire term of employment in this job class. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record.

Per California POST requirements, applicants must be a U. S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for citizenship:
https://post.ca.gov/Peace-Officer-Citizenship-Requirements-FAQs

Be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

As part of the qualifying process for Police Officer Recruit with the City of Fresno, eligible candidates will be required to complete a detailed pre-employment personal history form, followed by a thorough background investigation which will include a polygraph examination or computer voice stress analyzer test. If candidate receives a conditional employment offer, you will be required to successfully complete a medical examination which will include testing for the presence of drugs and alcohol. Any falsification of information provided or any failure to meet the requirements will result in disqualification from further consideration in the selection process for Police Officer Recruit.

Some of the potential reasons for disqualification from the selection process:
- Use of illegal drugs either recently or extensively.
- Failure to disclose prior drug use.
- Falsification of any required application or pre-employment materials.
- Involvement in a crime, the nature of which would impair the credibility of the
individual or cause embarrassment to the City of Fresno.
- Poor employment record.

HOW TO ATTACH YOUR P.O.S.T. CERTIFICATE OR PROOF OF ACADEMY ATTENDANCE:
- Your valid P.O.S.T certificate or proof of current attendance at an approved P.O.S.T. Basic Academy must be scanned and saved to your computer (save as P.O.S.T Certificate or Academy Attendance).

- Go to www.fresno.gov/jobs > City of Fresno Jobs > Apply On-Line> Enter Login> choose My Career Tools (located at the top of the page).
- Choose Cover Letters and Attachments.
- Select Add Attachments.
- On Attachment Type drop down choose Reference Attachment and select the Add Attachment link.
- Choose Browse button, you will then be able to attach the saved copy of your P.O.S.T certificate or proof of current attendance at an approved P.O.S.T. Basic Academy from the location where the document was saved to your computer. Select Upload. Click Save and Return.

How To Apply

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT www.fresno.gov/jobs. TO APPLY. For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis. Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal.

It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.

Selection Process

The examination process may consist of the following:

PANEL INTERVIEW - 100%: A panel interview will be administered by a panel of officers. The panel of subject matter experts will evaluate a candidate's ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship, ability to deal courteously but firmly with the public, ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies or other topics related to a candidate's training, experience and qualifications for the position of Police Officer Recruit. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the panel interview to qualify for the eligible list.

Since this recruitment is open on a continuous basis, the examination process may be repeated periodically depending on the number of applicants. As these processes are completed, new candidates will be merged with the current eligible list. Although your score will remain the same through this process, your placement on the eligible list may change.

Eligibles certified to the Police Department for consideration must successfully complete a polygraph test or computer voice stress analyzer test, extensive background investigation, and police department interview before receiving a conditional offer of employment. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete a psychological exam and medical exam before receiving a final offer of employment.

Please note: any person who fails any part of the process, including but not limited to, oral examination/panel interview, polygraph test or computer voice stress analyzer test, psychological examination, medical examination, or background investigation, may not reapply for Police Officer Recruit for a minimum of 180 days from date of notification of failed component.

Veteran Preference Regulations

Qualified veterans who pass the examination may obtain five (5) additional points.
Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested.

Additional Information

Police Officer Recruit Hire Incentive:
Upon appointment and commencement of work, a Police Officer Recruit will receive a two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500) hiring incentive payment. This incentive is not compensable for retirement purposes. Police Officer Recruits may only receive the hiring incentive payment under this provision one time, upon the initial appointment as a Police Officer Recruit.

Upon successful completion of the field training program, as determined by Police Administration, the Police Officer Recruit will receive a two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,500) hiring incentive payment. This incentive is not compensable for retirement purposes. To be eligible to receive the hiring incentive payment under this provision, the Police Officer Recruit must complete the field training program within eighteen (18) months of the initial appointment as a Police Officer Recruit.

Police Cadets who are attending the Police Academy and are sponsored by the Fresno Police Department at the commencement of the Academy under the Police Academy Sponsorship Program are not eligible to receive the Police Officer Recruit Hire Incentive upon appointment as a Police Officer Recruit.

Side Letter Agreement: Lateral Police Officer/Police Officer Recruit Hire Incentives This Agreement will be effective July 1, 2023, and will expire June 30, 2024, unless the FPOA and City mutually agree to extend this Agreement in writing.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Fresno is an equal opportunity employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the City of Fresno Personnel Department prior to the date of the applicable examination.

Closing Date/Time: 12/01/2024

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• City of Fresno

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