Program Details
Thank you for your interest in the Fresno Police Department Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS) Military Skill Bridge Program. In partnering with the US Armed Forces for the Fresno Police Department VIPS Skill Bridge Program, once again we are proud to be the first law enforcement agency on the west coast to utilize this program.
The short version of the program: The intent of the Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS) Skill Bridge Program is to recruit quality men and women from the US Armed Forces to become Volunteers in Police Service through the Military Skill Bridge Program. Typically, the service member applying is within six months to one year of their discharge date with the US Military. The service member will be required to complete a pre-application interview via zoom or in person. All service members applying must complete a VIPS Application, Personal History Statement (PHS), and undergo a background investigation. The background investigation requires the service member to sign a waiver and release form, provide original documents or certified copies of documents, such as driver license, social security card, birth certificate, college transcripts, etc. The application and PHS can be found on the City of Fresno Website, https://www.fresno.gov/police/employment-volunteer-services/volunteers-in-police-service-vips/. Once the service member is accepted as a Fresno PD VIPS in the Military Skill Bridge Program, the service member reports to the Fresno Police Department for assignment and is still active military. The service member continues to be paid by the Department of Defense while he/she volunteers with the Fresno Police Department. As a Skill Bridge Participant, you will be preparing to be a police cadet and eventually attend the police academy to become a police officer. In most cases the service member reports back to their last military assignment prior to discharge to process paperwork and complete any transition requirements that need to be fulfilled with their branch of service.
VIPS Military Skill Bridge Program Volunteers: VIPS-SB are given an assignment at the Fresno Police Department for up to 6 months while they transition from the military and prepare for the Police Cadet-I or II test, to be hired as a Fresno PD Police Cadet-I or II. While assigned as a Skill Bridge VIPS you will be required to attend Physical Training (PT) with the Cadet-I’s and II’s. Once hired as a Police Cadet-I or II, you will be assigned to different positions at the police department designed to prepare you to become a police officer. You may be assigned to the Fresno PD Training Unit, Fresno PD Regional Training Center, CSI Prisoner Processing, Fresno PD Property and Evidence Unit, or Cadet Patrol Duties in a Policing District, etc. Besides your Cadet-I or II duty assignment, you will be required to Physically Train (PT) in the morning as a group to prepare you for the physical training at the police academy. When a police academy opening occurs and you have demonstrated that you are mentally and physically prepared to enter the police academy, the Fresno Police Department generally sponsors you through the police academy. When you graduate the police academy as a sponsored Fresno PD Cadet you will begin your Field Training Program at the Fresno Police Department as a Police Officer Recruit. At the completion of your FTO Program and completion of your probation period you will be elevated to the rank of Police Officer.
As of October 2021, All City employees and City Volunteers are required to follow City of Fresno Emergency Order 2021-02. Pay close attention to Conditions of Employment for paid and volunteer employees: As required by Emergency Order 2021-02, section 7.8, newly hired City employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the city. The City will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exemption from this requirement.
Lastly, so that we can open a file for you if you are considering participation in the Fresno Police Department Volunteer in Police Service Military Skill Bridge Program, you will need to be ready to submit the below information:
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- Email address you wish to be contacted at
- Contact cell phone number
- Date of enlistment
- Current rank and rate, ie: Staff Sergeant/E6
- Military Base you are currently stationed or assigned to
- Your Discharge Date
- The projected date you would arrive in Fresno to begin the VIPS-SB Program, (Generally 3-6 months prior to discharge date, depending on if your command allows you to use leave balances in conjunction with the VIPS-SB program).
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?