Entry Level Law Enforcement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $7,736.00 Monthly
Location : Salinas Police Services Headquarters, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00748
Department: Police
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
The Salinas Police Department is currently recruiting for the position of Police Recruit. If you are looking at starting a career in law enforcement and would like to be a part of a hardworking team that is at the lead of law enforcement, we encourage you to apply. The department trains and develops its employees to their highest potential as well as provide for organizational mobility. The Salinas Police Department exists to serve the community and operates under the philosophy of Community-Oriented Policing.
Special Instructions: Copies of the following documents must be submitted at time of application. Results must be from the last 12 months from time of application. Any application missing these documents will be considered incomplete.

1. POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) with minimum T-Score of 48. The department will accept PELLETB results from other agencies.
2. Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB)- Applicants must have a minimum score of 320 on the physical agility test and pass the 1.5-mile run. The Salinas Police Department will not accept results from other agencies or academies. All WSTB results must be from South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium.

NTN results will only be accepted from out of state applicants with the following minimum score: 65% video, 70% writing, and 70% reading. Scores must be submitted to the Salinas Police Department online through the National Testing Network. We will not accept screenshots of scores.
If you have not taken the above exam and would like to find out more about them or register for them, please visit There is a fee for the exams that applicants are responsible for paying.
Note: Any applicant must complete a thorough background investigation, polygraph exam, medical evaluation, psychological exam and final Chief's interview before being hired as a Police Recruit.
Essential Job Functions

1. Successfully complete all required courses to receive a P.O.S.T. certificate

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• City, State and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, and court decisions as pertinent to assigned duties
• Police department policies, practices, regulations, and procedures
• Law enforcement and crime prevention principles, practices, and techniques
• Human behavioral theories, principles, methods, and practices

Skills to:

• Read and interpret complex technical documents, such as laws, ordinances and court decisions.
• Communicate verbally in a clear and concise manner.
• Write clear and comprehensive reports.

Ability to:

• Properly handle individuals exhibiting problem behavior, and situations presenting disorder and/or danger to self or others
• Carry out orders from supervisors and other senior officers
• Work effectively with a variety of co-workers and members of the public from a cross-section of educational and socio-cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrate physical ability and stamina appropriate to perform the duties of the position

Education: An example of the education and experience which most likely demonstrates the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the duties would be any combination equivalent to completion of the 12th grade or GED
Licenses and Certifications: A valid State of California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to maintain physical and emotional conditioning to optimally perform in this position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, type, use telephone, two-way radio, computer, use and control of firearms; see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print on documents and maps, detect subtle shades of color; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone and two-way radio conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at fifty feet of distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, climb over obstacles such as fences and walls while running in foot pursuit of a crime suspect; physical mobility sufficient to move in and out of a vehicle repeatedly, sprint from a stand-still; physical strength to carry 30 pounds of equipment on the body for period of at least ten hours per shift, occasionally lift more than 120 pounds, repetitively lift up to 100 pounds; physical stamina sufficient to sit and drive for prolonged periods of time, to carry 30 pounds of equipment worn on the body for ten hour shifts and to repetitively move in and out of a vehicle several times per shift; mental acuity and alertness to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw rapid valid conclusions, make rapid valid judgments and decisions. Other physical requirements as described in the P.O.S.T. Medical Screening Manual.
Depending upon specific assignment, this job is subject to hazardous and dangerous work conditions in the field that may include driving a police vehicle for ten hour shifts, occasionally at high speeds while in pursuit or in response to emergency situations. It also may include running for distances in excess of 100 yards while in foot pursuit of crime suspects, and working all weather conditions including rain, fog, wind, sun, and at night. May be subjected to verbal and physical abusive behavior, threats, insults, and be in contact with persons that carry weapons and communicable diseases.
Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.
Veteran's Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the and provide a copy of the 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 Department, at 831-758-7254.
Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
Selection Process: Applicants' qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. 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.
Oral Board Interview FAQ - Applicants who are invited to the oral board interview or have questions on what to expect during an oral board interview, are encouraged to review the City of Salinas Tips for a Sucessful Oral Board which can be found
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.
Salary Steps: The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)
For a complete listing of benefits, please click to visit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this position.