***The Martinez Police Department is currently recruiting candidates interested in becoming a Police Officer. If you are seeking Police Academy sponsorship we encourage you to apply. Applicants placed on the list can be hired as trainees while still in the academy or as a police officer upon graduation at the discretion of the City***
The members of the Martinez Police Department are dedicated to providing the highest quality police services. The Department has a staff of 53 FTE’s, (37 sworn and 16 FTE professional staff), with an annual operating budget of $16.6 million.
The Martinez Police Department offers a full slate of policing services to the community, including officers dedicated to investigations, traffic enforcement, tactical unit, canine (K-9) units, homeless outreach, crisis intervention, and community engagement/social media. Active reserve officer and cadet programs supplement the Department and further strengthen community involvement.
The Department operates its own communications center, providing 24/7 emergency and non-emergency dispatch services for the Martinez Police Department and other agencies. The Department assigns its officers in Neighborhood Policing Areas to further engage the community.
Definition
To attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified Police Recruit Academy and undergo field training within various divisions of the Police Department. Upon graduation from the Academy, the recruit will be sworn in as a Police Officer with full police authority.
Representative Duties
Attends a basic P.O.S.T. certified Academy designed to provide an entire overview of the criminal justice system including knowledge of laws and training in police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, and awareness of the functions and responsibilities of Police Officers and how they relate to field operations. Academy and field training would include: instruction by a Range Master on proper handling of firearms; review of radio codes and applicable Penal Code sections; an overview of the court system; answering telephone calls and dispensing public information; observation of communications operators; assistance with security duties; assistance in booking, searchings, and processing paperwork on prisoners or arrestees; assistance in patrol work to observe law enforcement activities such as maintenance of order, prevention of crime, protection of citizens and property and learning the city's jurisdictional boundaries; review of report procedures and techniques for directing traffic and filing court packages dealing with criminal prosecution; learning computer classification and coding systems; and review of the rules and regulations manual.
Minimum: Must be 21 years of age; must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate; must have a valid and appropriate California driver's license and a good driving record; must pass a medical examination and a psychological and background investigation; must have a 20/100 vision or better, correctable to 20/30 in each eye, ability to pass polygraph examination.
Desirable: Observe and learn various laws, police procedures, law enforcement techniques and first aid; analyze problems and situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action even in emergency or stressful situations; undergo strenuous physical conditioning; maintain positive business and community relationships; ability to read and understand departmental policies, rules, instructions, laws, regulations, and police literature, together with an aptitude for law enforcement work; ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action; ability to write clear and accurate reports; ability to understand and follow oral directions; ability to learn the use and care of automobiles, motorcycles, and small firearms; keen observation and ability to remember names, faces, and details of incidents; good health, physical endurance and agility.
Selection Process
- All applicants are required to submit a PELLETB score of 45 or higher, OR a NTN with the following minimum scores: 65% Video; 70% Written; 70% Reading within the last 12 months to be placed on the eligible list. Please have your scores ready to upload prior to applying.
- Eligible applicants will be placed on the list based on their T-Score or NTN score.
- EXAM INFORMATION*
P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)
The PELLETB is a multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank written exam used to assess a candidate’s reading and writing skills. Please note: candidates
may not retake the PELLETB within 30 days of a previous attempt.
The exam lasts
2.5 hours and includes the following five sections:
- Spelling – Choose the correctly spelled word from a list.
- Vocabulary – Identify the correct meaning of a word from given options.
- Clarity – Select the most clearly written sentence between two choices.
- Reading Comprehension – Read a passage and answer related questions.
- CLOZE – Use context clues to fill in blanks within a passage.
To Help You Prepare, Download The Official POST PELLETB Preparation Guide. To Schedule An Exam, Register To One Of The Following
- Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff- Law Enforcement Training Center
- South Bay Regional Academy
OR
National Testing Network (NTN) – Frontline Law Enforcement Written Examination
Applicants are required to complete the
Public Safety Job Suitability Assessment (PSSA) as part of the NTN Frontline Law Enforcement Written Examination. This exam is administered directly by the
National Testing Network, and a
testing fee is charged to candidates.
The test can be taken
virtually or
in person at NTN testing sites located nationwide. To schedule your exam, visit the National Testing Network website.
When registering, please select
City of Martinez and choose the
Police Officer Trainee position. Your scores will be submitted directly to the City of Martinez for review.
- HIRING PROCESS*
- Physical Agility Test
- Pre-Background
- Department Interview
- Background and Polygraph
- Chief's Interview
- Psych & Medical
Probationary Periods
Police Trainee appointments shall be tentative and subject to completion of the P.O.S.T. Academy. Upon completion of the Academy, the employee will be sworn in and considered an entry level Police Officer with an eighteen (18) month probationary period.
Notes
This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the Martinez Police Non-Sworn Employee's Association.
Upon appointment to the position of Police Officer, the terms and conditions of employment and summary of benefits change and are covered in the Martinez Police Officer's Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Martinez.
