***THIS POSITION IS INTENDED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. POLICE CADETS PARTICIPATE IN THE CADET PROGRAM TO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE AND PREPARE FOR A CAREER AS A POLICE OFFICER***
Interested in becoming a Police Officer? Do you dream of working for an elite law enforcement agency that invests in community partnerships, proactive crime prevention, and community education? If so, The Police Cadet Program is designed for individuals who want to begin a career in law enforcement by gaining valuable on-the-job experience while preparing for the Police Officer hiring process.
The Police Cadet is a part-time, non-benefited, civilian (non-sworn) position that rotates through various divisions of the Police Department. With state-of-the-art facilities and a community-oriented proactive approach on crime, the Buena Park Police Department offers a work environment unmatched in Orange County! APPLY TODAY!
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, performs entry-level technical support and provides basic policy and procedural information regarding the Police Department's operations and record keeping procedures; provides assistance to the public at the front counter of the Police Department; completes initial and basic police crime reports; takes fingerprints; rotates through various divisions of the Police Department in preparation for a career related to law enforcement; and does related work as required.
DISTINGUSHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a part-time, non-benefited, civilian (non-sworn) position working 10-20 hours per week. This classification performs a variety of non-sworn law enforcement functions. The Police Cadet training program is designed to prepare the Police Cadet for a career in law enforcement as a Police Officer. Incumbents must be in good physical condition and maintain physical standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.
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Provides assistance to the public in the field and occasionally at the front desk.
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Asks standard questions to complete initial and basic police crime reports such as incident reports, stolen or lost vehicles and property reports, traffic reports, court appearances, and missing person reports.
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Provides basic policy and procedural information concerning police department operations and recordkeeping procedures.
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Takes fingerprints.
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Directs and responds to more detailed inquiries with the assistance of other sworn or non –sworn personnel.
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Issues non-moving and non-criminal citations for the Vehicle Code and City Code violations.
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Operates a police motor vehicle and directs traffic as needed.
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Participates in formalized training courses and programs during nights and weekends as assigned.
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Interacts tactfully and professionally with the general public to ensure that the department will effectively respond to service requests or complaints.
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Provides accurate procedural information.
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Seeks assistance from other sworn or non-sworn personnel to answer more significant public relations complaints or policy questions.
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Interacts with the public, typically when receiving complaints, taking reports, and responding to basic questions or request for police services.
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Communicates and contacts with records personnel to request data and with dispatch personnel to relay service requests.
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Interfaces with supervision to receive work direction and to obtain assistance in handling more difficult problems.
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Rotates through various police divisions, including but not limited to patrol, dispatch, communications, records, traffic, and property.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
California Vehicle Code and Penal Code; City of Buena Park Police Department rules, regulations and operating procedures; geography of the City of Buena Park and surrounding communities; organizational structure of the Police Department; departmental recordkeeping practices; basic crime prevention; proper English grammar, spelling, punctuation and dictation for the purpose of completing various police reports; effective customer service techniques.
Ability to:
Learn, retain and apply complex information, police terminology, law enforcement codes; communicate clearly and distinctly, both verbally and in writing; communicate effectively with staff and the general public; understand and carry out complex and written instructions; prepare clear and comprehensive reports as well as written and oral instructions; respond to requests from the public and be able to assist them or direct them; remain calm when obtaining crime information or receiving complaints from irate or emotionally distressed persons; complete routine police reports and issue citations in a logical and coherent manner; operate a computer terminal and applicable software programs to access, enter, and retrieve police records information; participate in formalized training courses and programs as assigned; lift and carry equipment and other items and perform strenuous activities; work under stress; and work weekends, holidays and shift work, as assigned.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee is expected to climb or scale walls, ladders, or steps, carry police safety gear; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, squat or crawl, as well as walk, sit, and run. Sensory demands include talking, hearing, and using smell. This position must be able to pull and carry persons in emergency situations, administer first aid, and learn to fight in self-defense. Employees are expected to grasp and carry power and hand tools, and lift, carry, and move persons, equipment, and push, pull or drag objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more.
Police Cadets may participate in training exercises which require them to successfully complete physical tests/tasks which include dragging a 165 pound dummy, pushing a patrol car, climbing ladders, scaffolds, a 6 foot wall and similar obstacles, jumping over 3 foot high sawhorses or wooden barricades, jumping down from elevated places, walking a balance beam, climbing into and out of windows and performing sprints, runs, sit-ups, pull-ups, and pushups.
Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; and interacts appropriately with law enforcement personnel, general public, and others in the course of work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
These positions perform office and field work. When assigned to the office setting, the noise levels are typically quiet, at or below 85 decibels levels. When in the field, employees may be assigned to a police vehicle and are subject to variable weather conditions and traffic.
Valid Class C California driver license, an acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.
Must be able to be assigned to rotating work shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends, and to work overtime as needed.
Must have an interest in a career in law enforcement, ideally as a Police Officer.
Employees who become department employees on or after January 1, 1987, shall, as a condition of their continued employment, refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time on or off duty. Violation of this condition of employment shall be deemed good cause for dismissal.
Vision: No more than 20/100 uncorrected and 20/30 corrected and freedom from uncorrectable color blindness. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Background Investigation: Applicants will undergo a complete, comprehensive, P.O.S.T. approved background Investigation.
Character: Applicants must be of good character and reputation. Applicants will be fingerprinted and records checked in both state and federal bureaus. Applicants must not have a record of conviction of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory.
TESTING SCHEDULE (DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
VIRTUAL MANADATORY MEETING: Thursday, July 30, 2026
ORAL INTERVIEWS: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will no be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.
All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.
The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.
Americans with Disabilities:
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.
Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.
Physical Examination:
Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.
