Police Recruit - Entry Level

Salinas Police Department

Job description and requirements

Job Information SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT 312 E ALISAL STREET SALINAS, CALIFORNIA 93901 831-758-7122 https://www.salinaspd.org/joinspd Updated: June 02, 2022 Job Classification: Police Recruit (Entry Level) The Salinas Police Department is continuously hiring for Entry Level Police Recruit. A City application must be completed on-line at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Salinas/jobs/2456655/police-recruit?keywords=police&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs. *Active Duty Military Personnel are encourage to apply and must contact Salinas Police Sergeant James Godwin (831) 758-7120 for specific application instructions prior to initiating the testing process through this site.* Member City: City of Salinas. Base Salary Information: $5,363 Monthly (While attending police academy) $41.46 – $55.57 Hourly (After graduation from police academy) $7,188 - $9,632 Monthly In March 2023, Officers will receive another 2.25% increase to salary. Benefit Information: Biennial Physical: City-paid Biennial Physical exam every 24 months. Employees 40 & over are eligible every 18 months (eligible twenty-four months from date of regular hire). Educational Achievement Pay: P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate 3.5%, P.O.S.T. Advanced 3.5%. (For employees at top step) Master Officer Program: Officers with a combination of training, experience, and assignment receive a three percent incentive pay. Special Assignment pay: 5% additional pay for working a qualifying special assignment such as detectives, canine, traffic, CSI, FTO, gang officer, etc. Annual Leave: Accrued at a rate of 176 hours per year for the first five years; 216 hours through 10 years, with additional longevity increases. Holidays: Twelve days plus one floating day for a total of thirteen per year. Health Insurance: POA members are covered under PORAC Plan. The City pays up to 95% for health premiums. Retirement: Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) varies on eligibility and current retirement contribution status. Retirement formula 2.7% @ 57. For a complete list of benefits, visit http://www.cityofsalinas.org and review the MOU for Police Officers Association. Benefits are subject to change and do not constitute a contract. Department Information: The Salinas Police Department has an authorized staff of 161 sworn and 50 non-sworn personnel, with an annual budget of $47 million. The Department is responsible for providing a full range of crime prevention and law enforcement services to a diverse community of approximately 161,042 residents. The Department responds to an average of 8,700 calls for service each month. Job Requirements Age: 20 1/2 at time of application and 21 years of age at time of appointment. Citizenship Required: Must be a U.S. citizen or have applied for citizenship before application. High School Grad / GED: High School diploma or GED. Driver's License: Possess a valid Driver’s license from state or residence at time of application and obtain a California Driver’s license by time of appointment to Police Recruit. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Patrol Division Assignment: Operates a police vehicle, and/or walks a foot beat in patrolling an assigned area. Prevents crimes by communicating with and advising individuals and groups on residential and business district safety practices. Enforces State Penal and Vehicle Code Sections, and other state and local laws and regulations governing public safety. Responds to radio and telephone dispatches and handles activities at the scenes of crimes and other disorders. Investigates and prepares reports on arrests and impounded property. Contacts, questions, and interviews crime suspects, witnesses and other persons; searches and seizes contraband and other types of controlled property. Arrests, transports, supervises and assists in processing detainees and other individuals in custody. Trains in tactical and other departmental assignments, and performs related duties as assigned. See https://salinaspd.org/joinspd for additional information. APPOINTMENTS: Prior to appointment, all candidates must successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, Chief's interview, meet the current Police Officer Standards and Testing (P.O.S.T.) medical standard for peace officer, and a drug & alcohol screening test. Candidates must meet the department's pre-employment policy regarding illegal use or possession of drugs. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. Police Recruits have a probationary period of eighteen (18) months. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION. Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas. DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY: Candidates offered employment must pass a pre-employment medical exam, which includes a drug and alcohol-screening test, prior to final appointment. Hiring decisions may be based upon the results of the pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Positive samples are retained for 90 days from the date of notification. Applicants with a positive result must notify the City in writing prior to expiration of the 90 days to request retention beyond the 90-day period. A copy of the City's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy is available upon request. VETERANS PREFERENCE: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City's Veteran's Preference Application (found here: http://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/human-resources) and provide a copy of his/her DD-214* form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Division, at www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/human-resources. *REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Must be submitted at the time of application as a single PDF file or via email to maria.avila@ci.salinas.ca.us. Applications will be considered incomplete without required documents. Certificates must be valid within twelve months prior to application. All documents submitted become the property of the City of Salinas and will not be returned or photocopied. Please only submit the required documents requested; all other information will be discarded. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Salinas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. Military Veterans, Women and local Salinas residents are encouraged to apply. Bilingual in Spanish is highly desired.
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Job Information

SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
312 E ALISAL STREET
SALINAS, CALIFORNIA 93901
831-758-7122
https://www.salinaspd.org/joinspd

Updated: June 02, 2022

Job Classification: Police Recruit (Entry Level)

The Salinas Police Department is continuously hiring for Entry Level Police Recruit. A City application must be completed on-line at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Salinas/jobs/2456655/police-recruit?keywords=police&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs.
*Active Duty Military Personnel are encourage to apply and must contact Salinas Police Sergeant James Godwin (831) 758-7120 for specific application instructions prior to initiating the testing process through this site.*

Member City: City of Salinas.

Base Salary Information:
$5,363 Monthly (While attending police academy)
$41.46 – $55.57 Hourly (After graduation from police academy)
$7,188 - $9,632 Monthly
In March 2023, Officers will receive another 2.25% increase to salary.

Benefit Information:
Biennial Physical: City-paid Biennial Physical exam every 24 months. Employees 40 & over are eligible every 18 months (eligible twenty-four months from date of regular hire).
Educational Achievement Pay: P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate 3.5%, P.O.S.T. Advanced 3.5%.
(For employees at top step)

Master Officer Program: Officers with a combination of training, experience, and assignment receive a three percent incentive pay.

Special Assignment pay: 5% additional pay for working a qualifying special assignment such as detectives, canine, traffic, CSI, FTO, gang officer, etc.
Annual Leave: Accrued at a rate of 176 hours per year for the first five years; 216 hours through 10 years, with additional longevity increases.
Holidays: Twelve days plus one floating day for a total of thirteen per year.
Health Insurance: POA members are covered under PORAC Plan. The City pays up to 95% for health premiums.
Retirement: Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) varies on eligibility and current retirement contribution status. Retirement formula 2.7% @ 57.

For a complete list of benefits, visit http://www.cityofsalinas.org and review the MOU for Police Officers Association. Benefits are subject to change and do not constitute a contract.

Department Information: The Salinas Police Department has an authorized staff of 161 sworn and 50 non-sworn personnel, with an annual budget of $47 million. The Department is responsible for providing a full range of crime prevention and law enforcement services to a diverse community of approximately 161,042 residents. The Department responds to an average of 8,700 calls for service each month.

Job Requirements


Age:
20 1/2 at time of application and 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Citizenship Required:
Must be a U.S. citizen or have applied for citizenship before application.

High School Grad / GED:
High School diploma or GED.

Driver's License:
Possess a valid Driver’s license from state or residence at time of application and obtain a California Driver’s license by time of appointment to Police Recruit.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Patrol Division Assignment: Operates a police vehicle, and/or walks a foot beat in patrolling an assigned area. Prevents crimes by communicating with and advising individuals and groups on residential and business district safety practices. Enforces State Penal and Vehicle Code Sections, and other state and local laws and regulations governing public safety. Responds to radio and telephone dispatches and handles activities at the scenes of crimes and other disorders. Investigates and prepares reports on arrests and impounded property. Contacts, questions, and interviews crime suspects, witnesses and other persons; searches and seizes contraband and other types of controlled property. Arrests, transports, supervises and assists in processing detainees and other individuals in custody. Trains in tactical and other departmental assignments, and performs related duties as assigned. See https://salinaspd.org/joinspd for additional information.

APPOINTMENTS:
Prior to appointment, all candidates must successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, Chief's interview, meet the current Police Officer Standards and Testing (P.O.S.T.) medical standard for peace officer, and a drug & alcohol screening test. Candidates must meet the department's pre-employment policy regarding illegal use or possession of drugs. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. Police Recruits have a probationary period of eighteen (18) months. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION. Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY:
Candidates offered employment must pass a pre-employment medical exam, which includes a drug and alcohol-screening test, prior to final appointment. Hiring decisions may be based upon the results of the pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Positive samples are retained for 90 days from the date of notification. Applicants with a positive result must notify the City in writing prior to expiration of the 90 days to request retention beyond the 90-day period. A copy of the City's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy is available upon request.

VETERANS PREFERENCE:
A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City's Veteran's Preference Application (found here: http://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/human-resources) and provide a copy of his/her DD-214* form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Division, at www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/human-resources. *REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Must be submitted at the time of application as a single PDF file or via email to maria.avila@ci.salinas.ca.us. Applications will be considered incomplete without required documents. Certificates must be valid within twelve months prior to application. All documents submitted become the property of the City of Salinas and will not be returned or photocopied. Please only submit the required documents requested; all other information will be discarded.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The City of Salinas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. Military Veterans, Women and local Salinas residents are encouraged to apply. Bilingual in Spanish is highly desired.

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This is a continuous filing that has been listed for 79 days since CA Public Jobs first observed it.

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Posting history

This posting appears on National Testing Network. CA Public Jobs first observed it on August 17, 2026. It was last verified open on November 4, 2026.

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