Cadet, California Highway Patrol
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under close supervision, to participate in a basic law enforcement training program in order to learn the work of an Officer, California Highway Patrol; and to do other related work.
Job Characteristics
The class of Cadet, California Highway Patrol, is a recruiting and training class for qualified persons to learn the duties of an Officer, California Highway Patrol, in the Department of California Highway Patrol. Persons in this class undergo a formal, comprehensive training program at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento.
Cadets must successfully complete all academy courses, including academic classes, physical training, vehicle operation, and use of weapons in order to move to the class of Officer, California Highway Patrol. Failure in the Cadet class to qualify for movement to the class of Officer, California Highway Patrol, within the prescribed training period will be cause for termination.
Typical Tasks
Receives instruction in the interpretation and application of the Penal Code, Vehicle Code, laws of arrest, and rights of citizens; receives instruction in basic criminal investigation processes and techniques including police ethics, witness interrogation, and collection of evidence; participates in firearms training and physical methods of arrest training; participates in the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course which includes skid training, high speed pursuit, defensive driving, and emergency driving; receives classroom instruction in enforcement psychology, enforcement tactics, riot control tactics, recognizing and respecting the complexities of cultural diversity, speaking fundamental Spanish specific to law enforcement functions, effective writing, and effective speaking; learns radio operation and methods of traffic control; learns cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency medical response techniques; and participates in a physical training program.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. Equivalence to graduation may be demonstrated only by the following: (1)�possession of a U.S. high school (including high schools in the U.S. Department of Defense Dependent School System) diploma; (2)�passing the California High School Proficiency Test; (3) passing the General Education Development Test (GED); or (4) possession of a degree (Associate of Arts or higher) from an accredited college or equivalent degree (units from an institution) (certificate) (diploma) approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code, Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 2. No other equivalence is accepted for peace officer classes. and Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.
Knowledge and Abilities
Ability to: Learn rules and regulations; think clearly and logically and apply general rules to specific situations; observe and record events accurately and completely; effectively communicate with superiors and peers; analyze situations accurately, think and act quickly in emergencies, and adopt an effective course of action; follow directions; demonstrate honesty and integrity; spell correctly and prepare understandable reports; and perform basic mathematical computations and calculate distances.
Special Personal Characteristics
Interest in law enforcement work; willingness to work throughout the State, at night, at unusual hours, and on weekends and holidays; willingness to work under strict discipline; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; tact; reliability; professional demeanor; keenness of observation; and neat personal appearance.
Special Physical Characteristics
Good health and sound physical condition; freedom from any physical or mental condition that would interfere with the full performance of the essential duties of an Officer, California Highway Patrol; effective use of both hands; muscular strength and endurance, equilibrium, and flexibility; normal hearing; normal visual function and visual acuity (if eyeglasses or hard contact lenses are worn, uncorrected vision must be no less than 20/40 in each eye and corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Applicants who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least 12 months are not required to meet an uncorrected standard as long as their corrected vision is 20/20 in each eye); normal color vision as assessed by the Farnsworth-Munsell D-15 test (wearing an X-Chrom lens during vision testing is prohibited); and weight proportional to age and height.
Age Requirement
Age limits for participation in examination: 20 35 years. Minimum age for appointment: 21 years.
Drug Testing Requirement
Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug-screening test.
Felony Disqualification
Under the provisions of Government Code Section 1029(a), persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.
Citizenship Requirement
Under the provisions of Vehicle Code Section 2267, no person shall be appointed as a member of the California Highway Patrol who is not a U.S. citizen. Persons who are not citizens may compete in examinations for this class, but must show proof of citizenship before appointment can be made.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Education beyond the 12th grade.
