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Police Recruit Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Police Recruit

Yuba City, CA ยท On-site

$62.87K - $69.31K/yr

The Position The City of Yuba City is currently recruiting for Police Recruit. This position is an entry-level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. Successful candidates will be sent to a P.

POLICE RECRUIT

Burbank, CA ยท On-site

$95.47K/yr

Police Department Opening Date: 09/05/2025 The City of Burbank is currently hiring for Police Officer/Recruit! P LEASE NOTE: Any candidate who withdraws, fails to appear, or fails at any part of the ...

The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $10,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Police Recruit applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $3,000 upon graduation from the academy, $3,000 upon ...

Police Recruit

Costa Mesa, CA ยท On-site

$84.65K/yr

The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $10,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Police Recruit applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $3,000 upon graduation from the academy, $3,000 upon ...

Police Recruit

Fairborn, OH ยท On-site

$55.20K/yr

Police Department Opening Date: 01/08/2026 Closing Date: 7/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Description Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant the Police Recruit will attend peace officer basic ...

Description Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant the Police Recruit will attend peace officer basic training program that meets the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 109.77 for ...

POLICE RECRUIT

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$42.25/hr

LONG BEACH POLICE ACADEMY: Candidates who meet the minimum requirements and qualify for Police Recruit will be invited to attend the Long Beach Police Academy (Academy) Orientation. The Academy is a ...

Recruit Police Officer The City of Anna, Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Why work for the Anna Police Department? The Anna Police Department is currently accepting applications for the ...

New

The City of Pleasanton is looking for motivated and driven individuals to join our Police Department as Police Recruits. In this hands-on, action-packed role, you'll attend a state-certified Police ...

The Anna Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Recruit Police Officer. For more information, email our team at pdadmin@annatexas.gov. Police Officers serve a vital ...

Description The City of Tustin Police Department is currently seeking applicants for Police Recruit. This is an entry-level position in which new hires will be placed in a local, 6-month POST ...

POLICE RECRUIT

National City, CA ยท On-site

$6.34K - $7.78K/mo

Police Recruit is distinguished from the next higher class, Police Officer, in that recruits are not assigned any active law enforcement duties and do not have peace officer powers. Upon successful ...

Police Recruit

South Gate, CA ยท On-site

$63.98K - $77.77K/yr

The recruit must graduate from the Police Academy and fulfill all other requirements, in which case he/she shall advance to the rank of Police Officer. Failure to meet graduation or other ...

Police Recruit Attends and successfully completes a Colorado P.O.S.T. law enforcement training academy, and successfully passes the Colorado P.O.S.T. certification test to obtain Colorado P.O.S.T ...

About The Role CITY OF KINGMAN POLICE RECRUIT KINGMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT $27.58 / HR - $57,366 / Annually (Hire in recruit/Non-AZ POST Certified) $28.96 / HR - $60,237 / Annually (Post Academy ...

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Police Recruit information

See salary details

$36K

$65.8K

$132.5K

How much do police recruit jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for police recruit in the United States is $65,825.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $75,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Police Recruit Do?

A police recruit is a non-sworn employee of a police department. In this position, your duties involve undergoing training to become an entry-level police officer. Your responsibilities revolve around learning basic skills and procedures needed to be a police officer. In addition to training, you may observe professional police officers as they perform their duties. A police recruit must graduate from a police academy before moving on to work as an officer on a probationary basis.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Police Recruit, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Police Recruit, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, basic knowledge of law enforcement principles, and successful completion of police academy training. Familiarity with report-writing software, radio communication systems, and law enforcement databases is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, integrity, resilience, and sound judgment help recruits excel in challenging situations and build community trust. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining public safety, effective communication, and ethical law enforcement.

What are some common challenges new Police Recruits face during their initial training and how can they prepare for them?

New Police Recruits often encounter challenges such as adapting to the physical and mental demands of the police academy, mastering a wide range of laws and procedures, and developing effective communication skills under pressure. Time management and stress resilience are crucial, as recruits must balance classroom learning with physical training and practical exercises. To prepare, candidates should focus on physical fitness, familiarize themselves with basic law enforcement concepts, and practice clear, respectful communication. Many recruits find it helpful to connect with recent academy graduates for support and advice.

What are Police Recruits?

Police Recruits are individuals who have been selected to enter a police academy for training to become sworn law enforcement officers. During their time as recruits, they undergo rigorous instruction in areas such as criminal law, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency response, and community policing. They are not yet full police officers but are in the process of learning the essential skills and knowledge required for the role. Upon successful completion of the training program, Police Recruits are typically promoted to the position of Police Officer and begin active duty in the community.

What is the difference between Police Recruit vs Police Officer?

AspectPolice RecruitPolice Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, police academy trainingHigh school diploma or GED, police academy training, experience may vary
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, probation periodActive duty in the field, patrol, investigations
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position in law enforcement agenciesFull-fledged law enforcement personnel

In summary, a Police Recruit is an entry-level candidate undergoing training and probation, while a Police Officer is a fully sworn law enforcement professional actively working in the field.

What cities are hiring for Police Recruit jobs? Cities with the most Police Recruit job openings:
What states have the most Police Recruit jobs? States with the most job openings for Police Recruit jobs include:
Infographic showing various Police Recruit job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,825 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Police Recruit - Police Entry Level

City of San Angelo TX - Police Department

San Angelo, TX โ€ข On-site

$61.12K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

At the San Angelo Police Department, integrity and professionalism are at the heart of everything we do. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and use strong accountability measures to ensure our officers consistently uphold the trust of the community we serve. Our team serves with honor while building a rewarding and respected career in law enforcement.

The San Angelo Police Department has an authorized strength of 180 sworn officers and 33 non-sworn support personnel. The department handles an average of 100,130 calls from citizens for police service every year. To maintain the highest level of efficiency, we incorporate state of the art equipment with on-going training programs.

A law enforcement career with the San Angelo Police Department offers a challenging and exciting opportunity. We offer a full-service, professional law enforcement agency and the experience of policing in a dynamic community setting. This combination has created an environment for the men and women of the San Angelo Police Department to fully develop their individual potential as they grow toward meeting their personal and professional career goals.

An optional study guide and practice test for the Civil Service entrance examination is available online at https://www.applytoserve.com/study for a nominal fee. Please note that these materials are not required to take or pass the exam and are provided purely as optional resources.

Minimum Requirements

Age

  • Minimum: 21 years old (exceptions may apply under state and federal law-contact Human Resources at (325) 657-4221 for details).
  • Maximum: 45 years old to apply as a Police Recruit.

Citizenship & Military Service

  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Applicants with prior military service must not have received a dishonorable discharge.

Education

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Must be able to read and write the English language intelligibly.

Character & Background

  • Must be of good moral character and temperate habits.
  • Disqualifications include:
    • Any conviction or court-ordered community supervision/probation involving family violence or a criminal offense above a Class B misdemeanor.
    • Any Class B misdemeanor conviction within the last 10 years.
    • Any conviction or offense involving family violence.
    • Any legal prohibition against operating a motor vehicle or possessing firearms/ammunition.

Physical Condition

  • Must be capable of performing the essential functions of the job without conditions that would adversely affect performance.

Physical Agility Exam

  • Candidates will be tested on job-specific tasks, including:
    • 150 lb. rescue drag (60 ft.)
    • Step-up pursuit simulation
    • Subduing a 120 lb. dummy (control, lifting, rolling, and pivot maneuvers)
    • Strength exercises with dumbbells
    • Turkish Get-Up with a 10 lb. weight
  • Tests are designed to evaluate strength, endurance, and coordination.

Eyesight

  • Correctable to 20/30 in each eye binocularly.
  • Maximum uncorrected visual acuity: 20/200.
  • Must pass the Ishihara color-blind test.

Hearing

  • Must meet normal hearing thresholds in each ear, as defined by ANSI standards.

Blood Pressure

  • Must be within normal range.

Application Process

  1. Submit online application.
  2. Physical agility exam.
  3. Civil Service exam
  4. Upload the below original documents to Guardian portal:
    • Driver License
    • Social Security card
    • Birth certificate
    • High School diploma or GED
    • High School transcript or GED transcript
    • College degree(s)/certificate(s)
    • College transcript(s)
    • DD214 Member-4 Copy (if prior military service)
    • Letter of good standing from commanding officer (if currently in reserves)
  5. Background investigation with polygraph and Personal History Statement.
  6. Oral board interview.
  7. Interview with the Chief of Police.
  8. Medical exam.
  9. Physical exam.
  10. Psychological evaluation.

Applicants who do not pass any step must reapply if otherwise eligible.

Class Ranking for Recruits

A ranking roster establishes seniority within the Police Department. A Police Recruit's placement is determined by their overall Police Academy score plus applicable military or loyalty points (maximum of five points total).

  • Military Points (5): Awarded to Police Recruits who have enlisted in the armed forces of the United States for at least two (2) years and have received an honorable discharge, or who are currently serving or who have served in a reserve component of the United States military for at least two (2) years with documentation either from their unit commander confirming good standing or discharge papers showing an honorable discharge.
  • Loyalty Points (5): Awarded to Police Recruits with two (2) years of prior employment with the San Angelo Police Department or Public Safety Communications Department.

The Police Department of the City of San Angelo operates under the State's Civil Service Statutes for Municipal Government (Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 143). Each applicant must meet specific eligibility requirements to be considered for appointment as a Police Officer.

The City of San Angelo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the City does not discriminate in its hiring, training, or promotion practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.