Police Cadet

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice. If you are considering a career in law enforcement and want to learn about the field from one of the most respected Police Departments in the Inland Empire, then the City of Ontario has the perfect position for you! The City of Ontario Police Department has an excellent part-time opportunity for actively enrolled college students interested in a law enforcement career!

As a Police Cadet, you will receive valuable hands on experience as well as an opportunity to make a positive impact on your community and your career. The Police Cadet, under the supervision of sworn or civilian personnel, performs a variety of police clerical and technical support duties in the areas including, but not limited to: lobby reception, records, crime prevention, patrol, traffic, and property control. The Police Cadet is a part-time/temporary position, scheduled to work no more than 29 hours per week, and is not eligible to participate in the City’s health insurance or retirement plans.

The successful candidate will embody the Department’s mission and vision as well as the qualities of a “Five Tool Player” – Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant – and the principles of the City’s Customer Service Philosophy — Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.

NOTE: This is not a sworn Police Officer or a Police Officer training position. There is no guarantee of a full-time position with the Ontario Police Department. Please read this entire job bulletin prior to applying for this position.

The Following Procedures Will Apply

• The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.
• Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Background Check Requirement All appointments to this position are subject to a satisfactory background investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department. The background investigation will include the following: passing of a polygraph test and the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including drug screen). Candidates may be disqualified from further consideration during the background investigation for a variety of reasons including if they have: an excessive number of traffic citations and/or collisions; arrests and/or convictions; a history of illegal substance abuse; poor credit history (factors include bankruptcy, foreclosures, liens, repossessions, and recency); or thefts from a previous employer. For clarification of any of the above disqualifying reasons, please call the Police Department Background Unit at (909) 408-1820. The following list describes some areas that are covered in the background investigation:

• Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for a career in law enforcement.
• The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.
• You must list a history of your residences.
• Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.
• Military service records are subject to verification.
• The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you).
• Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated. Felony convictions will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process.

The Ontario Police Department The mission of the Ontario Police Department is to protect life and property, build and maintain authentic relationships, and enhance the quality of life in our community.

TEAMWORK : Fulfilling community partnerships that instill pride, passion and commitment through communication and performance. Learn from the past and embrace the future through empowerment, respect, and cooperation.

PROFESSIONALISM : It is not the job we do; it is how we do our job. We are engaging and considerate with our actions, image, and conduct.

INTEGRITY : We hold honesty as our guiding principle. When faced with difficult decisions, we do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

ACCOUNTABILITY : We openly identify and address problems and willingly accept responsibility for our own actions.

DEDICATION : We are committed to our craft and to the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ontario.

The City of Ontario The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

About The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2025 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:

State of the City The Ontario Plan Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario The essential functions typically performed by the Police Cadet i nclude the following:

• Assists sworn and non-sworn personnel with non-enforcement duties as authorized; takes reports; releases property; verifies proof of correction to vehicles.
• Maintains records and prepares reports.
• Takes photos and fingerprints.
• Assists with traffic control during emergencies.
• Assists with property and evidence storage, retrieval, and transport.
• Assists with scheduling and transport of department’s vehicle fleet for general maintenance.
• Assists Police personnel in the presentation of public awareness programs.
• Assists the public by answering inquiries and providing information; answers phones and relieves switchboard operator.
• Performs routine clerical duties including typing, sorting, coding, tabulating, filing, and operation of standard office machines and equipment.
• Assists with inventory, ordering, storage, and retrieval of supplies.
• Performs messenger duties in the delivery of mail and legal documents.
• Operates City vehicle in the performance of job duties.
• Testifies credibly in court.

Education Equivalent to a high school diploma or recognized equivalent at time of appointment.

Special Requirement From the time of the appointment, a Police Cadet must be enrolled in at least 2 courses, preferably in Police Science, Administration of Justice, Public Administration, or the equivalent to 6 semester or 8 quarter units at an accredited college or university, and maintenance of a minimum GPA of 2.0 in such studies. Length of employment in this classification is limited to 5 years or until the completion of a BA/BS degree at the discretion of the Department. Valid California Class C driver’s license.

Desirable Some experience in police clerical work; computer skills; bi-lingual; and knowledge of police practices and methods, and department rules, regulations, and procedures.

How To Apply Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Application Process Applicants arerequired to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City’s online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.

Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.

Supplemental Questions To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.

Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.

Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write “no experience” for the appropriate question.

Email Notices Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from “@ontarioca.gov” or “governmentjobs.com.” If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will my responses to the Pre-Employment Background Questionnaire be used?**** A: Your responses will be reviewed by Ontario Police Department personnel to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Q: Can I schedule a ride-along?**** A: Ride-alongs are reserved for the candidates that successfully pass the oral interview and are in the background investigation stage.

If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.