JOB DESCRIPTION
Police Cadet I is an entry-level position that allows you to get acclimated to the police department. It is a non-sworn position that does not require a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy certificate. Cadet I’s work in various assignments where they gain the tools, knowledge, and experience necessary for success in law enforcement. They gain experience working at our regional training center, with detectives in investigative units, officers in patrol, and prisoner processing.
You learn to serve the community as a Cadet I before becoming a Police Officer. Our expectations of our Cadets I’s is very high. We are pushing you toward the Police Academy and honorable service to the community of Fresno.
We expect all of our Cadet I’s to learn basic Penal Codes and Vehicle Codes, the geographical make-up of the city, our department’s values, and Community Policing practices.
Once a Police Cadet I is ready, they have an opportunity for full sponsorship to the P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy. Although the minimum age for Cadet I is 18 years old, to be sent to the Police Academy from this position, you must be 21 years old by graduation day.
Pay is $18/hr.
The process is lengthy because we look for only the best.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Once the application is accepted and minimum qualifications met watch your email for additional instructions. You may get an email form a “@fresno.gov” email address so be sure to check your spam folder frequently. This is how you will be notified of additional steps in the application process. Be as thorough, responsive and correct as possible to increase your chances of advancing to the next step.
The applicant will be interviewed to determine his/her qualifications. If successful, the applicant will be placed on an eligibility list by ranking based on interview score.
The applicant will be given a Personal History Statement (PHS) and a list of required documents that will need to be gathered. The applicant should fill out the PHS as completely as possible. Do not leave information off of the PHS. It is important you begin to gather all required documents immediately.
A thorough polygraph or Computer Voice Stress Analysis will be conducted. Honesty is key to success during this step in the process
The applicant will be assigned to a Background Investigator. A comprehensive, in-depth background investigation will be conducted into all aspects of the applicant’s past and current life.
Upon completion of the background investigation, a report is prepared and given to the administrative lieutenant for review for evaluation of the candidate’s interpersonal skills, oral communication skills, qualifications and preparedness throughout the process thus far. An interview is then scheduled with the Command Staff and if successful, the candidate will be given a conditional job offer.
**Steps 7 and 8 only apply if the candidate is sent to the academy after employment as a Cadet I**
(Before being sent to the academy)
A thorough psychological evaluation will be conducted.
(Before being sent to the academy)
A thorough medical evaluation will be conducted. The extent of the exam will be dependent upon the position for which the applicant is processing.
The best advice we can give to prospective law enforcement employees is right here...
PREPARING FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER
DRUGS
DRUGS
Don’t do drugs and don’t associate with others who use illegal drugs! – When asked about past drug use BE HONEST!
DRIVING
DRIVING
Applicants are disqualified for too many tickets, accidents, and license suspensions. In addition, make sure you are properly insured.
FITNESS
FITNESS
Make sure you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Your life or somebody else’s life may depend on it!
BILLS
BILLS
The way you manage your personal finances assists the department in determining your level of responsibility and maturity.
HONESTY
HONESTY
A lot of applicants are disqualified for lying or for integrity issues. Tell the truth no matter how embarrassed you are about your past mistakes. Remember all applicants are administered a polygraph examination during the hiring process!
WRITING
WRITING
Strong writing skills are very important for a successful career in law enforcement. Applicants are not selected for poor grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
ONLINE
ONLINE
Remember what you post on the internet represents who you are. What kind of impression are you making?
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
Your employment history is very important. Make sure you develop and maintain a strong work ethic. Don’t call in sick if you are not sick, give two week’s notice if you resign from a position and report to work on time with a great attitude!
IMPRESSIONS
IMPRESSIONS
We need applicants who believe in themselves. Be assertive, self-confident, outgoing, compassionate and learn to communicate well with a wide variety of people.
INTEGRITY
INTEGRITY
Don’t let your friends or co-workers pressure you into compromising your values or integrity. Remember integrity is “What you do when nobody is looking!``
PLEASE READ
The Fresno Police Department Recruiting team is devoted to finding people who are driven to serve the community of Fresno in every capacity. The City of Fresno has a rich and diverse culture, and we are only looking for those individuals willing to wear our badge, serve our community, uphold our values and add to the ever-growing team we are building here. Follow your passion, find your future, and join us at the Fresno Police Department.
Desired Qualifications
Most of the progressive agencies in California place a high value on a college education. An AA is a good start, but you should always consider higher education. The choice of a major is not nearly as important as the college experience itself.
A track record as a dependable & reliable employee is just as important as education. The best predictor of future behavior is past performance. Positive job references from a reputable employer are extremely important. Any consistent employment is helpful, however, jobs which emphasize public contact, interpersonal communications, dependability, and responsibility are the most important.
Make an ongoing effort to learn about law enforcement. Most agencies have part-time positions. They may be cadets, community service officers, police aides, public safety aides, etc. All provide exposure to the law enforcement environment. Agencies also have volunteer programs that can provide similar exposure and may also lead to employment opportunities.
Start now on an ongoing physical fitness program, since you will need to be in good physical condition to successfully compete for employment and complete a police academy.
Realize that any poor choices you make, especially as an adult, could jeopardize a future law enforcement career. While perfection is not expected or required, drug use, theft, dishonesty and poor judgment end many careers before they get started.
Above all, successful law enforcement applicants tend to be those who have balance in their lives. All of the above factors are important and the development of one to the exclusion of the others will probably frustrate your career efforts.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- Incomplete, false, or illegible Personal History Statement
- Falsification and/or omission of any requested information
- Rude, belligerent, or otherwise unacceptable behavior towards staff
- Untruthfulness to staff
- Knowingly remaining in a place where illegal drugs were used/sold
- Prior arrests and convictions
- Felony probation/parole
- DUI conviction(s)
- License suspension(s)
- Traffic accident(s)/citations(s)
- Poor employment or education history/performance (i.e. continual firing, poor grades/performance reviews)
- Financial concerns (i.e. bankruptcies/collection accounts/failure to pay child support, etc.)
- Continued responses indicating deception on questions asked
- Failure to appear for the exam without notification or refusal to complete the exam
- Attempts to defeat the machine (i.e., holding breath, hyperventilating, or taking drugs/alcohol before testing)
- Withholding information from polygraph examiner
- Admissions to conduct deemed unacceptable by Department or POST standards
- Information uncovered by examiner which deviates from information provided to background investigator
- Failure to meet the standards as determined by the department psychologist (written and oral interview)
- Failure to meet the standards for the position as determined by the department physician
APPLY TODAY TO JOIN THE FRESNO PD
So what do you think? Can you meet our requirements and expectations?