Salary: $16.90 Hourly
Location : City of Placentia, Police Station, CA
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 2025 - 00072
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 50
DESCRIPTION
THE CITY OF PLACENTIA IS NOW RECRUITING FOR THE POSITION OF
PART-TIME POLICE CADET
An eligibility list will be created from this recruitment to fill current and future vacancies Citywide.
** This recruitment will be open until Sunday, August 30, 2026, or when 50 applications are received, whichever comes first.**
This is a part-time position. May work an average of 20-30 hours per week.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP IN YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER
The Placentia Police Department is seeking dedicated individuals who work with integrity and value public service to serve as a Police Cadet. The Police Cadet program is designed to provide valuable paraprofessional experience and mentorship in law enforcement, and a great opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement and City Government. If you are excited for an opportunity to support and serve the community, we strongly encourage you to apply!
Under the direction of the Police Sergeant or similar supervisory position, the Police Cadet performs routine clerical and technical support duties to administrative and field operations and performs other related duties as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Performs record keeping and clerical tasks; distributes mail to departmental personnel and copies of records to insurance companies and law firms related to traffic records and other types of police reports.
- Assists parties at the public counter by answering basic questions, locating personnel, making copies of reports, and gathering information for incidents.
- Enforces city parking regulations by issuing or warning citations as required; assists in directing traffic at accidents or traffic sites.
- Organizes, assembles, and verifies complete records packages for misdemeanor and felony cases and submits them to the criminal court.
- Conducts authorized searches for records and cases and updates files.
- Fingerprints applicants, volunteers, and interns working for the city; processes identification photographs.
- Conducts basic research and provides law enforcement support for other units.
- Conducts confidential background checks on individuals utilizing law enforcement databases.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the City.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
- High school diploma or G.E.D. is required, preferably supplemented by college-level course work in police science or criminal law. One year of public contact experience is highly desirable. Must be at least 18 years old but not older than 24 years of age and have no prior felony convictions.
LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:
- Valid, current driver's license.
- The City reasonably expects driving to be one of the job functions for the position, and the City reasonably believes that using an alternative form of transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost to the City.
CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Applicants must file a concise and complete City application for the position online through the Human Resources Department webpage at as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume that describes experience, education, and training with the position's requirements; however, a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for a City employment application.
All applications will be reviewed, and only those candidates deemed most qualified based on their submitted education, training, and experience will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to, oral interviews and/or written exams, performance tests, and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment-eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to 1 year, or until an insufficient number of candidates remain, whichever comes first.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Placentia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please reach out to the Human Resources Office at (714) 993-8141 before the filing deadline. We will attempt to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request, as reasonably possible.
The City of Placentia's Drug-Free Workplace Policy requires that all applicants undergo substance abuse testing before employment.
The City of Placentia will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history, per the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City is concerned regarding a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:
Under California law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109), all City of Placentia employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers (DSW). In the event of a catastrophic event, City of Placentia employees may be expected to fulfill emergency action assignments. As DSW's employees may be assigned to assist in any disaster service activity that promotes the protection of public health and safety and preservation of lives and property.
Retirement - California Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) PST Deferred Compensation Plan. Contribution to this account is 7.5% per pay period, the City pays 3.75% and the employee pays 3.75% deducted from salary. Additionally, employee pays 1.45% towards Medicare per paycheck.
Part-Time Alternative Health and Wellness (AHW) Leave - Sick leave equivalent accrues at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, max 40 hours per year, max accrual bank of 80 hours.
01
To better evaluate your qualifications for this position, responses to this supplemental questionnaire are required. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process. An incomplete and inaccurate application may lead to disqualification. It is your responsibility to fill out the application thoroughly and accurately. Resumes will not be accepted instead of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering questions. If you do not have experience, please write "NONE". IMPORTANT: 'See Resume', 'See Above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be considered when evaluating your qualifications.
- I acknowledge receipt of this information and understand the instructions.
02
Are you 18 years of age or older?
03
Do you possess a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalent?
04
Do you possess a valid California Driver's License?
05
Have you completed any college courses in police science or criminal law?
06
Do you possess one year of public contact experience? If so, please describe.
07
I understand that as part of the qualifying procedure for Police Cadet, I may go through a thorough background process, which includes a comprehensive investigation, fingerprinting and polygraph examination. Recent drug usage, theft, or illegal activity may disqualify me. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. Any falsification, or failure to meet the standards listed above, will result in my disqualification.
- By clicking here, I submit electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the qualifying process for Police Cadet.
Required Question