Novato Police Department Careers

Join Our Family!

At the Novato Police Department we are dedicated to our employees through continued training, education and opportunities to advance.

Our employees remain our greatest asset, and we are looking for individuals like YOU! If you are excited about a challenge and are looking for a career where you can make a difference in, and will be embraced by, the community you serve — apply with the Novato Police Department today!

Contact a Department Recruiter

Have questions or interested in a ride-along? Contact us at joinNPD@novato.org.

Sworn Careers

The City of Novato is continuously recruiting for Police Officer positions. The positions vary from Police Officer Lateral, Academy Graduates to Police Officer Trainee positions.

Police Officer Lateral/Academy Graduate

Applications Now Being Accepted - APPLY TODAY

$80,724.60 - $98,121.24 Annually

The Police Officer - Lateral / Academy Graduate position performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; to perform investigative work and other special assignments; and to perform a variety of technical enforcement tasks.

This position is represented by the Novato Police Officers Association (NPOA), and receives an excellent benefits package and other incentives including:

CalPERS Retirement:
- New members receive 2.7% at 57
- Classic members receive 3% at 55
Innovative Technology: Cloud-Based Computer Aided Dispatch / Department Issued Tablets / Axon (Live Stream) Body Worn Cameras / E-Ticket Apps
Workout on Duty: Onsite Gym, Peloton Bikes, 1 hour designated to work out on duty
Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
Relaxed Tattoo Policy
Relaxed Facial Hair Policy
Education Incentives
Specialty Assignments: Novato Response Team (NRT) / SWAT / Investigations / Traffic / K-9 / School Resource Officer (SRO) /Bike Patrol / Coordination Probation Enforcement Team
Bilingual Pay
Promotional Opportunities
Continuous Training Opportunities: ICAT/ Implicit Bias/ Procedural Justice/ Racial Profiling/ LGBTQ Training & More!
Employee Wellness Program
Uniform Allowance
Family-friendly workplace
Paid Holidays and Vacation Days
Bonus Paid Days Off
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Police Officer Trainee

Applications Now Being Accepted - APPLY TODAY

$70,667.88 - $85,897.44 Annually

The Police Officer Trainee would be assigned to attend an upcoming P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy. During the six (6) month Academy program you would receive the training required for appointment to the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the Academy you would typically be appointed as a Police Officer and begin serving an eighteen (18) month probation period with the City of Novato Police Department. Note: this position is non-sworn until completion of Academy.

This position is represented by the Service Employees’ International Union, and receives an excellent benefits package and other incentives including:

Police Academy Sponsorship
CalPERS Retirement
Innovative Technology: Cloud-Based Computer Aided Dispatch / Department Issued Tablets / Axon (Live Stream) Body Worn Cameras / E-Ticket Apps
Workout on Duty: Onsite Gym, Peloton Bikes, 1 hour designated to work out on duty
Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
Relaxed Tattoo Policy
Relaxed Facial Hair Policy
Education Incentives
Specialty Assignments: Novato Response Team (NRT) / SWAT / Investigations / Traffic / K-9 / School Resource Officer (SRO) /Bike Patrol / Coordination Probation Enforcement Team
Bilingual Pay
Promotional Opportunities
Continuous Training Opportunities: ICAT/ Implicit Bias/ Procedural Justice/ Racial Profiling/ LGBTQ Training & More!
Employee Wellness Program
Uniform Allowance
Family-friendly workplace
Paid Holidays and Vacation Days
Bonus Paid Days Off
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional Careers

Do you have a calling to help protect your community? Do you encompass core values of customer service and keeping Novato safe? The Novato Police Department is regularly seeking civilian professionals at all levels who are interested in a career with law enforcement. From Police Dispatchers to Records Specialists, NPD is the place for a long (and exciting) career.

Records

The Novato Police Department Records Division is the custodian of all police business records and is responsible for forwarding reports to the District's Attorney's Office that have the potential for prosecution. Reports are reviewed for statistical accuracy and are processed. The report attachments are scanned into RMS (Record Management System) and kept electronically. The Records Division is also responsible for completing citizen report requests, assisting community members at the front counter and reporting crime statistics to the California Department of Justice.

Unlike many records sections, the Novato Police Department Records Division personnel are skilled call-takers, who in addition to answering and routing all the business call, also accept non-emergency calls for service from the public during business hours. They enter these calls into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and occasionally assist the dispatcher with emergency calls.

Dispatch

The Novato Police Department Communications Center is the most vital link between the officers and the community. Dispatchers answer emergency line calls 24/7, interview the callers and enter information into the department's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Our dispatchers prioritize calls for service and dispatch appropriate personnel to all calls for service. As they receive these calls, a dispatcher will obtain initial information from individuals (who are often emotional or frightened), asses the nature of the emergency, and determine whether the call requires police, fire and/or medical response or other type of assistance, referral or information.

Dispatchers additionally perform a wide variety of tasks including answering, researching and routing requests for information, completing records and/or warrants checks when requested by officers and authorized agencies, processing and maintaining restraining orders and missing persons information, and completing a number of different data entry and administrative duties.

Our ideal candidate will have the ability to:

Work under pressure
Communicate concisely and clearly, both orally and in writing
Exercise good judgment
Make sound decisions in emergency situations
Work with minimum supervision
Learn and effectively apply policies, procedures and practices related to the department and law enforcement activities
Work various shifts as assigned
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
Bilingual English/Spanish candidates are encouraged to apply!

Evidence

The Evidence Technician is responsible for receiving, cataloging and storing evidence and recovered property and must ensure that all evidence is properly packaged and stored to preserve it in its original state for prosecution. The technician retrieves evidence for court, arranges for analysis of evidence by the California Department of Justice Crime Lab and maintains the “chain of custody." The Evidence Technician takes possession of all found property turned in to the Department and arranges for return of the property when the owner is located.

Evidence items are kept in property until all court proceeding are complete. Some cases require special processing like homicide evidence and other cases with DNA or specific statutory and legislative requirements. Once the property is no longer needed for legal proceedings, the Evidence Technician arranges for its return to the owner, or disposition by auction or destruction according to state law.

Community Service Officer

The Community Services Officer performs a wide variety of specialized and technical non-sworn law enforcement duties in support of police operations and support services. This position may be assigned to patrol, community outreach, or traffic; and perform a variety of other non-sworn law enforcement, clerical, and administrative functions in support of the community, police services, and activities not requiring Peace Officer status.

Professional Perks

Professional positions receive an excellent benefits package and other incentives including:

CalPERS Retirement:
- New members: 2% at 62
- Classic members: 2% at 55
Dispatcher POST Pay
Innovative Technology
Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
Workout on Duty: On-Site Gym, Peloton Bikes, 45 Minutes per shift to work out on duty in our on-site gym!
Uniform Allowance
Bilingual Pay
Promotional Opportunities
Bonus Paid Days Off
Paid Holidays & Vacation Days
Education Incentive

Police Cadet Program

There are many different positions within the Novato Police Department including part-time positions. Start your policing career as a Police Cadet today!

Police Cadet (Paid Position)

$18.62 - $22.64 Hourly

The primary goal of the Police Cadet Program is to further prepare and develop qualified applicants to enter the field of law enforcement — preferably with the Novato Police Department — while pursuing successful completion of a college education.

The Cadet Program will offer individuals, who are interested in a possible career in law enforcement, a rewarding and insightful experience by providing an education-based program working in all divisions in the police department. The Cadet will work with experienced Police Officers, Community Service Officers and other civilian employees. The Cadet will work on a rotational basis, in various assignments throughout this department.

Police Cadets will benefit from a variety of experiences in providing service in support of the Department's mission. At the completion of their internship, some participants may ultimately receive department sponsorship and are paid to attend the police academy or employment in a support assignment.

Cadets are civilian, part-time, non-benefitted, and at-will employees. Due to benefit rules, Cadets are only able to work a maximum number of hours per fiscal year.

Police Cadet Assignments

A Police Cadet may work in any of the following areas during assignment:

Traffic
Records
Patrol
Investigations
Court Liaison
Crime Prevention
Evidence
Dispatch

Requirements

Entry Level Position: no experience is required.
Must be at least eighteen 18-years-old at time of appointment.
High School diploma or equivalent.
Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid California Driver's License.

Success Stories

Officer Houser, School Resource Officer

“I started as a Police Explorer with the Novato Police Department in 2001. I later became a Police Intern while I attended college. The Police Intern Program provided me with the skills needed to become the police officer I am today.

The program provided me with the foundation I needed for a career in law enforcement and strengthened my desire to follow my dream. 13 years later, I am a Detective with the Investigations Division with specialties as a hostage negotiator and POST instructor. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to start my career in law enforcement as an intern 13 years ago while I continued school to earn my college degree."

Detective Wax, Investigations

“I started as a Police Intern with the Novato Police Department in 2015 while attending Sonoma State University. The Police Intern Program provided me with the skills needed to become the Police Officer I am today.

It taught me the function of a Police Department, communication skills, report writing, and many more important characteristics needed to be a successful Police Officer. After graduating college and completing the Internship, I was hired by NPD as a Police Officer and jumped right into the Police Academy. Five years later, I'm on the Novato Response Team and I'm a Field Training Officer. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to be a Police Intern, as this Internship was a key factor in my success when starting my law enforcement career."

City of Novato, CA

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