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Entry Level Police Officer Jobs in Riverside, CA

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Entry Level Police Officer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$33.9K

$64.8K

$108K

How much do entry level police officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level police officer in Riverside, CA is $64,837.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,600.00 and $77,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level police officers?

Entry level police officers are individuals who have recently been hired by a police department and are in the initial stages of their law enforcement careers. They typically perform basic duties such as patrolling designated areas, responding to emergency calls, conducting preliminary investigations, and enforcing laws. Entry level officers often undergo a period of training at a police academy followed by on-the-job training with experienced officers. Their responsibilities and authority increase as they gain more experience and demonstrate their abilities.

Is 27 too late to become a cop?

Entry level police officers can typically start their careers at age 27, as many departments accept applicants up to their late 20s or early 30s. Age requirements vary by jurisdiction, but physical fitness, background checks, and training are standard parts of the hiring process regardless of age. Being physically prepared and completing necessary certifications like police academy training are essential steps to entering the field at this age.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Police Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Police Officer, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, a clean background, and successful completion of police academy training. Familiarity with law enforcement technology such as body cameras, radio communication systems, and report-writing software is typically required. Strong soft skills include integrity, critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring public safety, upholding the law ethically, and responding effectively to emergencies.

What is the lowest level of police officer?

The lowest level of police officer is typically a probationary or entry-level officer, who has completed basic police academy training and is beginning their field duties. Advancement to higher ranks such as corporal or sergeant usually requires additional experience, training, and testing. Entry-level officers often perform patrols, respond to calls, and enforce laws under supervision.

Can you apply to be a police officer with no experience?

Entry level police officer positions typically do not require prior law enforcement experience, but applicants must meet minimum qualifications such as a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and complete police academy training. Having relevant skills like communication, problem-solving, and physical fitness can improve chances of hiring. Most agencies provide training after hiring, so prior experience is not always necessary.

What Does an Entry-Level Police Officer Do?

The job duties of an entry-level police officer involve working to protect citizens and perform other law enforcement duties. Your responsibilities in this career include going on patrol, working to investigate crimes, and documenting complaints. An entry-level officer has completed officer training and public safety testing (PST) and has been sworn-in as a law enforcement professional. However, you may undergo additional on-the-job training with the assistance of a senior officer, and you may have a period of probationary employment until you have proven yourself in the field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Police Officer vs Police Dispatcher?

AspectEntry Level Police OfficerPolice Dispatcher
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, police academy trainingHigh school diploma or GED, communication training
Work EnvironmentPatrol, crime scenes, community interactionDispatch center, phone and radio communication
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, police departmentsPolice departments, emergency communication centers
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Entry Level Police Officers primarily patrol communities, enforce laws, and respond to incidents, requiring police academy training. Police Dispatchers handle emergency calls, coordinate responses, and communicate with officers, focusing on communication skills. Both roles are essential in law enforcement but differ in duties, environment, and training focus.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level police officers during their first year on the job?

Entry level police officers often face challenges such as adapting to shift work, learning departmental procedures, and developing effective communication skills in high-pressure situations. Balancing the demands of public interactions with the need to enforce the law can be stressful, especially when dealing with difficult or emotional incidents. New officers also spend significant time in training and mentorship programs, which help ease the transition but require adaptability and resilience.

What is the easiest law enforcement job to get into?

Entry-level police officer positions are generally considered among the more accessible law enforcement roles, often requiring a high school diploma or equivalent, passing a civil service exam, and completing basic training. These roles typically have a straightforward hiring process compared to specialized or federal law enforcement jobs, which may require additional qualifications or experience.
What are the most commonly searched types of Police Officer jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Police Officer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Entry Level Police Officer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Entry Level Police Officer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Police Officer job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,837 per year, or $31.2 per hour.
Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level (Hiring Immediately)

Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level (Hiring Immediately)

Customs and Border Protection

San Jacinto, CA • On-site

$60K/yr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

166th of 832 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) GL-5/7 grade levels - New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives

A MISSION WORTHY OF A CAREER!

If you’re looking for “just a job,” then stop reading right now. But, if you’re looking for a long-term federal law enforcement career, one that makes a difference every day to our country and its citizens, then the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) would like you to take the first step to becoming an entry level Border Patrol Agent.

USBP is hiring immediately to fill full-time, entry-level, career positions in federal law enforcement where your prior experience in public safety, security, military police or law enforcement may qualify. Train and work with an elite team of professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and sense of purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America.

Now is the time to make your move because, along with excellent base pay, exceptional benefits, and job stability, USBP is offering up to $60,000 in additional incentives (see details below).

Salary and Benefits

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, as follows:

  • GL-5/GL-7 $51,632- $92,912 per year

Border Patrol Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k) offering.

*Recruitment Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.

*Retention Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.

Duty Locations

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.

U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates’ first-choice preferences. RELOCATION MAY BE REQUIRED.

Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without reapplying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations:

  • Big Bend Sector Stations - *Presidio, Van Horn, *Sanderson, Alpine, *Sierra Blanca, Marfa
  • Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island
  • Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, *Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
  • El Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, *Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
  • El Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, Calexico
  • Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina
  • Havre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
  • Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
  • Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla, *Hebbronville, Laredo West, *Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
  • Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
  • San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
  • Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
  • Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
  • Tucson Sector Stations - *Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
  • Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

Duties and Responsibilities

As a BPA, you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical assignments include:

  • Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and custom laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
  • Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations
  • Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband
  • Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
  • Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One (1) year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; to learn regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom training and/or on-the-job instruction; and the ability to gather concise information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records; OR

Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience AND successfully completed college education. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: One year of specialized work experience that shows you have the skills necessary to:

  • Make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms.
  • Deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters.
  • Analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions where you will be expected to make arrests after the completion of required training and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as criminal code enforcement, determining violations of laws, correctional or rehabilitation work involving criminal offenders, security, military, etc.

The above experience will be applied in connection with the following: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

Education Substitution for the GL-7 grade level: A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Or will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. Or one full year of graduate-level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university; OR

A Combination of Experience and Education: This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

Note: If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 and or GS-11 grade level. Please refer to the BPA GL-9 - 11 announcement.


Other Requirements

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

Age Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans’ Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The a


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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves and protects America with a workforce of more than 60,000 law enforcement and support professionals. We're united by our mission to guard our borders from threats and illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003