Testing Dates:
Written Exam: Friday, February 20, 2026
Physical Agility/PIQ: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Oral Interviews: Monday, March 2, 2026
Police Officer Trainee: $6580/month
FLETC Graduate (DOQ): $6909/month
Academy Graduate/Police Officer: $7997/month - $10,717/month
If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Police Officer Trainee in our Police Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website. Check out the Escondido Police Department here.
Under general supervision, patrols a beat or sector; enforces laws and ordinances and makes arrests; protects life and property and performs the necessary related tasks to fulfill these objectives; performs related duties as required.
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Patrols assigned areas by car, bike, motorcycle or on foot.
Answers calls for assistance, including investigation of crimes, deaths; accidents and injuries; conducts initial and follow-up investigations.
Enforces, controls and directs traffic when appropriate.
Stops drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of the law and enforces traffic violations; Warns drivers against illegal practices.
Performs arrests for all criminal violations of law.
Testifies in court in connection with the prosecution of offenders.
Serves warrants and subpoenas.
Administers first aid in emergency cases.
Answers complaints on such problems as domestic disturbances, obnoxious animals, health code and local ordinance violations.
Investigates suspicious circumstances.
Takes custody of stolen, lost or found property and evidence.
Performs crowd control, parade or riot work.
Takes crime prevention measures and assists in controlling problems of juvenile delinquency; performs detective work in criminal investigation and identification work.
Transports prisoners to be booked at county jail.
Furnishes information and directions to the public.
Submits complete written reports on all cases investigated.
Participates in required training courses and programs.
Supervision may be exercised over non-sworn positions
Provides vacation and temporary relief as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
The principles, methods, materials, equipment, and techniques of peace officers.
Crime scene procedures.
Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information on peace officers.
State and federal statutes and case law covering contraband, drugs, and the use of physical evidence in court, the rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, evidence, and expert witnesses.
Police Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations and unit functions.
Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
Customer service principles and techniques.
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Ability To:
Prepare clear and concise police reports.
Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Analyze emergency situations and adopt quick, reasonable and effective courses of action.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Lift and move objects of moderate to heavy weight.
Maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times.
Participate in the high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing software applications.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and Maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff, vendors and the public.
General Standards:
Fingerprinted and a search made of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
Not convicted of a felony by any State or Federal Government of a crime including imprisonment in a Federal or State prison.
Good moral character as determined by a polygraph examination and a thorough background investigation as prescribed in Specification #1, Personal History Statement.
Successfully complete requirements of medical and psychological evaluation.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Must not be less than 21 years of age at time of appointment.
Education/Experience:
High school graduate or equivalent.
Written test is required.
License Or Certificate:
Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license at time of appointment.
POST REGULATIONS
The Following Are Requirements According To POST Regulations:
SPECIFICATION #1
Personal History Statement:
This requirement supplements Section 1002 of the POST Commission Regulations. A personal history investigation must be conducted of each recruit employed pursuant to Part 4 of Title 4, Chapter 1 of the California Penal Code. The purpose of the personal history investigation is to find examples of any character traits in the applicant's life which might prevent the applicant from becoming a successful peace officer.
SPECIFICATION #2
Physical Examination:
This requirement supplements Section 1002 (b) (1) of the POST regulations. In order to render proper service to the community, California Peace Officers must be mentally alert, physically sound and free from any physical defect or mental or emotional instability which might adversely affect their performance of duty. The peace officer's safety record and the safety and lives of others may be endangered if the peace officer lacks these qualities. This shall include psychological testing to determine emotional stability.
Vision and Hearing: The hiring authority shall establish minimum standards for hearing, color vision and visual acuity. The following is required: HEARING - must pass a hearing test which will consist of a whisper test of each ear. Candidates must be able to hear and repeat the whispered word(s) at a distance of not less than 15 feet, uncorrected. COLOR VISION – must pass a color vision test which will consist of an Ishihara color plates test. Candidates must properly identify 12 color plates in the series. VISUAL ACUITY – must possess visual acuity corrected not to exceed 20/20 in each eye. It is important that officers possess good eyesight to be able to properly identify victims, suspects and for their safety and the safety of others during the course of their duty. Eyesight shall not exceed 20/100 in each eye, uncorrected.
Waiver: The hiring authority may waive visual acuity not to exceed 20/200 correctable to 20/20, based on outstanding achievements and potential to the department, and provided an examination by an ophthalmologist reports the eyes are free from disease with no indication of an accelerated progression toward further decreased visual acuity.
Porta-Clinic Examination: The majority of a police officer's duty is driving at night. This examination determines glare recovery from lights, depth perception and reaction time – all important in the safe operation of an automobile.
Performance Test – Test of Strength and Agility: During the course of an officer's duties, they are called upon at times to effectively take persons into custody who are combatant and force has to be used. If officers are not in good physical condition, they are in danger as well as others. The applicant must be in good physical condition and display strength and agility before employment. Appointees shall be required to maintain good physical condition and display strength and agility to continue their employment status with the City.
Testing Dates:
Written Exam: Friday, February 20, 2026
Physical Agility/PIQ: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Oral Interviews: Monday, March 2, 2026
CONTENTS OF AGILITY TEST
The Physical Agility Examination Will Take Each Candidate Approximately 1/2 Hour. There Are Five Separate Events In This Test, Which Are Simulations Of Actual Tasks That a Police Officer Would Be Required To Perform. These Events Are As Follows:
- OBSTACLE COURSE - This event simulates a short-distance foot pursuit such as might occur in the parking lot of an office complex. It requires you to make frequent changes in direction while running as fast as you can. You will have 25 seconds for this event.
- BODY DRAG – This test simulates dragging someone who is physically incapacitated. The dummy, which weighs 165 pounds, must be dragged a distance of 32 feet within 28 seconds.
- WOOD FENCE CLIMB – This event will test your ability to climb a six foot high wood wall. You are to run up to the fence, scale the fence, and continue running to the finish line. You will have 14 seconds to complete this event.
- CHAIN FENCE CLIMB - This event will test your ability to climb a six foot high chain link fence. You are to run up to the fence, scale the fence, and continue running to the finish line. You will have 13 seconds to complete this event.
- 500 YARD RUN - This event simulates a foot pursuit and requires that you run 500 yards without stopping. You will have 110 seconds to complete this event.
NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.
The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.
Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Eligible Individuals Are Those Who Meet The Following Criteria:
- Served in the U.S. armed forces
- Received an honorable discharge
- Did not retire from military service
- Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.
Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes
does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.
ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.
EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.
