Police Recruit

• Police Recruit $5,000 Signing Bonus** Candidates hired by the City of El Monte as a Police Recruit are eligible to receive a signing bonus of $5,000.
  
  

Payable in two (2) equal installments: First payment due at time of Police Academy Graduation and the second payment upon completion of probationary period.

Police Recruits will start at $6,851.25/month while attending a P.O.S.T. Certified Police Academy

The Police Recruit is a non-sworn training classification. The incumbent(s) selected to this position will complete a formal and comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) - Certified Basic Academy training program. Upon satisfactory completion of training and graduation from the Academy, the incumbent will be sworn in as a Police Officer with full police authority. (Police Academy pre-service cadets and pre-service graduates must apply as Police Recruits).

The employment term is limited to the completion of the police academy and in no case longer than six months. Upon successful completion of the police academy background investigation, the candidate agrees to accept a position as a Police Officer with the City of El Monte for a minimum of one-year or reimburse the City for reasonable training costs.

The City is not prohibited from termination of the candidate during this one-year period if the candidate cannot successfully complete the El Monte Police Department training program/city probationary period.

Salary Upon Academy Graduation

Police Officer Salary

$45.43/hr - $55.22/hr

$94,498.44/ Annually - $114,864.49/Annually Competitive Benefits

IMPORTANT EXAM DATES Recruitment Advertising Dates: April 6, 2026 - May 10, 2026Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ): Due to Human Resources on May 21, 2026

• Human Resources will email the Questionnaire to qualified candidates one week after Closing Date
  
  

ONE DAY TESTING EVENT: Physical Agility Test, Written Exam, and Interview Panel: Sunday, June 14, 2026

• Applicants who are invited to the ONE DAY TESTING EVENT and have taken the POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam with another agency in the last 12 months and achieved a score of T-42 or higher, may attach their original letter on City letterhead with T-Score to their application for review or you can email to Yesenia Gutierrez, HR/RM Analyst atygutierrez@elmonteca.gov before the scheduled event. Once T-Score is confirmed the written exam is waived.
• The City of El Monte does not waive the Physical Agility Exam
  
  

This position includes attending and completing a high-stress law enforcement academy that includes, but is not limited to:

Knowledge of Federal, State and municipal laws. Knowledge of ordinances; principles and practices of modern law enforcement including; crime prevention, identification and investigation techniques. Use of police records and identification methods and their applications; laws and constitutional guarantees governing the custody of persons, search and seizure and evidence. Laws and procedures relating to juvenile welfare, traffic control and safety; laws and policies concerning police authority. Proper care and maintenance of property and equipment. Ability to understand and interpret laws, ordinances, departmental policies and regulations. Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective and responsible course of action. Explain a variety of parking and traffic regulations when required. Cope with stressful situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others. Effectively use and care for firearms; remember names, faces, facts and details of incidents. Write reports clearly and accurately; drive an automobile skillfully. Speak well and present ideas clearly, and effectively; follow oral and written instructions; work effectively with other employees; meet the general public with courtesy and tact.

Must possess good judgment, character, reputation, poise, bearing, alertness, emotional stability , and maturity to effect good working and public relations.

• Extensive academic exposure and testing, firearms training, driver's training, physical training and testing;
• Learning, understanding and interpreting various laws, police practices, and procedures;
• Analyzing problems and learn to rationally and calmly take appropriate action in stressful situations;
• Preparing accurate and grammatically correct written reports and solve basic arithmetic problems;
• Proficient use of firearms and chemical agents;
• Proficient use and knowledge of emergency vehicle operations; and
• May perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
  
  

Minimum Requirements To Ensure Success Within This Role

• Must be 21 years of age at time of appointment to Police Officer;
• Must be a United States Citizen OR permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship by date of appointment.
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED;
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License; and
• Ability to pass a POST Background Investigation that will include a Medical Examination, a Psychological Examination, and a Polygraph Examination.
  
  

Selection Process Consists Of The Following

• Application Review
• PELLETB
• The City of El Monte utilizes the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB).
• Applicants may not take the PELLETB within 30 calendar days of taking the exam with another department/agency
• Applicants who have taken the PELLETB within 365 days of the application and achieved a T-Score of T-42 or higher may request a waiver from the PELLETB.
• Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ)
• All candidates must submit the PIQ to proceed through the selection process.
• If you have any questions about these forms, please contact the El Monte Police Department, Training Bureau at (626)580-2120 or jcasados@elmontepd.org
• ONE DAY TESTING EVENT
• Physical Agility Exam
• Writing Exam
• Oral Interview
• Background Investigation
• Conditional Job Offer Interview with the Chief of Police
• Psychological and Medical Examination
  

PELLETB Waiver Request

• Applicants who have taken the PELLETB within 365 days of the application and achieved a T-score of T-42 or higher may request a waiver from the PELLETB. Applicants requesting to waive the PELLETB are required to submit proof of their qualifying T-score on agency letterhead from the agency that administered the PELLETB.
  
  

POST Written Exam Preparation

• Preparation Guide: Applicant_Preparation_Guide_for-the-POST_Entry-Level-Law-Enforcement-Test-Battery.pdf
• Important Update: Effective January 1, 2025, the CLOZE reading comprehension sub-test has been removed from the PELLETB.
• Commission on POST Candidate Information: POST Candidate Information