Police Officer (Recruit Level)

Salary: $76,169.60 - $79,705.60 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Varies by Position
Job Number: RR-T11794-202312
Business Area: 1914 - Police
Opening Date: 12/01/2023
Closing Date: Continuous


JOB INFORMATION
JOIN THE SDPD TEAM TODAY!!!
Please read through the entire bulletin for important information.

Veteran friendly employer!
You served our country and worked hard to earn your GI Bill benefits; it's time to let them work for you. Not to worry, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) honors your service and sacrifice. In addition to great pay and benefits, SDPD is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to train veterans and eligible persons under 38 U.S.C. 3675. For which SDPD can certify candidates who are eligible to receive VA education benefits under the on-the job-training (OJT) program while employed by SDPD to attend a paid California POST approved Police Academy and up to a year after graduation while completing the field training program and SDPD probation period.

Do you have a strong dedication to public service? If you do, a career with the San Diego Police Department may be for you!
A career with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) offers excitement, rapid growth opportunities, work-life-balance, and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. As one of the nation's leaders in Community Oriented Policing, we strongly value the partnerships we have built with the diverse communities of San Diego and are looking for Officers that will uphold that tradition. Throughout your career with SDPD, you'll have the chance to follow many paths in over 70 different positions, including: Detective, Special weapons and tactics (SWAT), New Technologies, Canine (K9) Handler, Beach Patrol and Motor Officer, among others. SDPD offers a competitive base salary, great benefits, and many additional pay opportunities.

The following skills and desirable attributes exemplify what we look for in a Police Officer (Recruit Level):
Integrity ; leadership skills; excellent judgment under pressure; ability to maintain sufficient level of fitness to safely perform as a law enforcement professional; the ability to be aware of, control, and express emotions appropriately, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically; ability to maintain confidence in uncertain situations; excellent judgment and ability to act under pressure; ability to thrive in diverse populations.


A San Diego Police Officer:

• Contributes to the team effort of maintaining a presence in the community that helps to deter crime and provide support to citizens.
• Collaborates in building strong relationships with community members, upholding best practices of Community Oriented Policing.
• Acts as a police presence at major public events to ensure public safety.
• Identifies potential criminal activity or other hazardous situations and takes proper actions to protect citizens and property.
• Helps to secure crime scenes and process evidence.
• Responds to calls for service; Observes violations; makes arrests and citations when necessary.
• Conducts criminal investigations by gathering evidence and interviewing victims and witnesses.
• Documents observations and actions by radioing information; completing reports.
• Fulfills court orders by testifying in court regarding criminal investigations and citations.
• Maintains safe traffic conditions by monitoring and directing traffic; enforces laws and ordinances; investigates collisions; reports unsafe streets and facilities.

Police Officer (Recruit Level) employees attend the Police Academy classroom lectures on subjects including criminal law, laws of arrest, traffic laws, juvenile law, principles of law enforcement, rules of evidence, rules of search and seizure, patrol theory and methods, and report writing; observe demonstrations on arrest and control methods and the care and use of firearms; participate in physical conditioning and self-defense exercises; practice the use of firearms; and take examinations.


NOTES:

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Police Officer (Recruit Level) employees must complete the Regional Academy Training and receive a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate within ONE year of hire.
• After completing the Police Academy, Police Officer (Recruit Level) employees are promoted to Police Officer I and assigned to the Field Training Unit for a minimum of four months.
• Police Officer I employees may work a 4 day/10-hour, rotating shift work schedule, depending on assignment.
• After one year, Police Officer I employees receive a $900 annual uniform allowance.
• Bilingual pay (3.5% of base pay) is provided to qualified officers, if skills are required.
• Additional add on pays may be available if you meet the requirements.

State Standards:
In accordance with P.O.S.T Standards, candidates must be free of any felony convictions. Candidates will be screened by the San Diego Police Department and are subject to immediate disqualification if any of the following are found during the background investigative process: domestic violence conviction(s), or if you are a registered sex offender; for additional information refer to the following link:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS


You must meet the following requirement on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.


AGE: 20 years of age on the date you apply; 21 years by date of Academy graduation.


CITIZENSHIP: Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.


NOTE:

• Candidates screened by the San Diego Police Department must present proof of legal right to work in the United States when they submit their Background Investigation Questionnaire.

EDUCATION: You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. Graduation from a public high school located within the United States.
2. Graduation from an accredited nonpublic high school located within the United States.
3. Graduation from a United States Department of Defense high school.
4. Passage of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) test or passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination.
5. Possession of a two-year, four-year or advanced degree from an accredited college or university located within the United States.
6. Possession of a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree earned OUTSIDE the United States, with an NACES or AICE equivalency report.

NOTES:

• Candidates screened by the San Diego Police Department must present proof of education when they submit their Background Investigation Questionnaire.
• Education earned OUTSIDE the United States must include an equivalency report to qualify. For public safety positions, acceptable equivalency reports must be issued by a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES - or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE -

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (Must be included with your application): To request a waiver of the written examination, you must submit proof of ONE of the following:

Education:

• Associate degree or higher diploma
• Official or unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral

POST certification:

• California POST-approved Police Academy Peace Officer Course Certificate
• California POST Basic Peace Officer Certificate

Written Test Documentation:

• Letter from the agency that administered the California POST entry-level law enforcement test battery (PELLET-B). The letter must include the candidate's name, exam date, and T-scores for reading, writing, and overall performance.
• Official National Testing Network (NTN) Law Enforcement Individual Score Report

To request a waiver for the Physical Abilities Test (PAT), you must submit proof of:

• Official California POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) score verification report

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

SCREENING PROCESS
The screening process will consist of the following components:


1. APPLICATION REVIEW: Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met.


2. WRITTEN TEST: IF YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED, you will be scheduled for the written examination date you select on the supplemental questions of your application. The email confirmation notice that you will receive a day or two after your application is approved will grant you admission to the examination date you select.


The written test consists of multiple-choice questions that measure general aptitudes needed to be a Police Officer. A Study Guide with test taking tips and sample questions is available in the following link:

NOTE:

• If you live more than 100 miles from Downtown San Diego please select a written exam date in the supplemental questions of your application that is denoted as "Out Of Town Process". Doing so will enable you to take the written test on Friday, and if you are successful on the written test, you will be given the opportunity to take the Physical Abilities Test on the same day and the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire the following morning. *This two-day process is available only when taking the Police Officer (Recruit Level) exam at NTC on a Friday in the CITY OF SAN DIEGO. Your address will be verified to ensure that you live more than 100 miles from Downtown San Diego.

The test includes the following factors:


Section I: Reading Comprehension/Interpretation of Data
Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret factual or technical materials in a variety of written formats, and ability to draw inferences, recognize assumptions, weigh evidence and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information presented in written form.

Section II: Checking Ability
Ability to detect similarities and differences between groups of items such as words or numbers.


Section III: Decision Making
Ability to identify and comprehend critical elements of a situation and choose courses of action based on general policies and guidelines.


Section IV: Written Communication
Ability to correctly apply fundamentals of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, written expression, and vocabulary.


There is one overall pass point for this examination. THIS IS A (PASS/FAIL) TEST; you are not ranked based upon your score. For which only your pass or fail status will be provided.


Written Test Waiver: You may be eligible to waive the written test if one of the following applies to you:

• Have passed the CURRENT customized and validated City of San Diego written test within the last two (2) years.
• Were previously hired by the City of San Diego as a Police Officer (Recruit Level) within the last two (2) years.
• Have taken the California P.O.S.T. Pellet-B test within the last six (6) months and acquired T-scores of 42 in each of the following test sections; reading, writing and overall test.
• Possess an associate degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America).
• Have graduated from a California P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy with a Peace Officer's Course Certificate.
• Possess a California P.O.S.T. basic Peace Officer's certificate.
• Have taken the National Testing Network's (NTN) law enforcement test within the last six (6) months and acquired scores of 55 on the video test, 65 on the reading test, 65 on the writing test and have completed both parts of the public safety self-assessment (PSSA) test.

NOTES:

• If your waiver request is approved, your application will bypass the written test selection process and be moved to the performance test selection process. You will be scheduled and notified of your performance test date.
• If your waiver request is not approved, you will be notified and scheduled for the written test based on your responses to the supplemental questions on your application.

Re-Examination Eligibility: If you fail the written test, you may reapply immediately, but you will need to request a written test date that is at least ONE MONTH after your most recent TEST DATE.


3. PERFORMANCE TEST: The performance test is pass/fail examination which consists of 5 different events based on the California P.O.S.T. Work Sample Test Battery and measures a variety of physical abilities necessary in police work. The test requires candidates to:

• Complete a 99 yard Obstacle Course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb height obstacles, and a 34 inch high obstacle that must be vaulted.
• Jump, step, and/or climb over 6-foot chain link fence.
• Jump, step, and/or climb over 6-foot solid fence.
• Partially lift and drag a 150 pound "simulated victim".
• Complete a 500 yard run.

NOTES:

• Test information will be given to candidates prior to their scheduled test date.
• Events will be completed in a random order with the exemption of the 500 yard run, which will be the last event.

Performance Test Waiver: You may be eligible to waive the performance test if one of the following applies to you:

• You have passed the City of San Diego Performance test within the last TWO (2) years.
• You have taken the California POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) within the last six (6) months and acquired a score of 384 or above. The WSTB needs to be administered by an agency with staff that has completed the California POST Basic Course Physical Training Instructor training.

NOTES:

• Waiver requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on your responses to the supplemental questions on your application.
• If your waiver request is approved, you will bypass this step and be placed on the eligible list.
• If your waiver request is not approved, you will be notified and scheduled for the performance test.

Candidates who pass the written test and performance test will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next two years. For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.


NOTE:

• Do not reapply until your name expires from the Police Officer (Recruit Level) eligibility list.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION


Individuals who are placed on the eligible list and are being evaluated by the Police Department for employment, must successfully pass the following prior to hire:


PRE-INVESTIGATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE: On the day of the performance test, candidates will also complete a Pre-Investigative Questionnaire.


PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT: Candidates will be required to complete and submit a Personal History Statement to the Police Department. Information regarding this step of the process will be provided to candidates at a later date.


MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A City medical examination including drug screening and documentation of medical history that meets City of San Diego and/or P.O.S.T. guidelines will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment. Medical conditions must enable the applicant to perform the essential duties of the position. The City of San Diego is committed to a drug and alcohol-free work place.


VISION/HEARING REQUIREMENTS: Vision requirements vary depending upon the corrective measures employed.


1. If you do not wear corrective lenses your better eye may be no worse than 20/20 and your weaker eye can be no worse than 20/40.
2. If you wear eyeglasses or hard (non-orthokeratology) contact lenses, your uncorrected vision may be no worse than 20/40 in each eye and must correct to 20/20 in the better eye.
NOTE:

• Hard contact lenses also include semi-soft, semi-rigid, semi-permeable, gas permeable, and similar lenses.

3. If you have worn soft contact lenses for more than 6 months your vision must correct to no worse than 20/20 in the better eye and 20/40 in the weaker eye. If you have not worn soft contact lenses for more than 6 months, then the hard contact lenses requirement applies (see No. 2).


To qualify under this provision, you will be asked to present satisfactory medical evidence from your private optometrist or ophthalmologist documenting that you have been a successful wearer of soft contact lenses for six months prior to the medical examination given by the City of San Diego. Such documentation must also indicate if you have any medical contraindications to wearing soft contact lenses. We will request this information from you following the medical examination given by the City.


You will also be required, as a condition of your employment, to sign a pre-employment agreement obligating you to wear soft contact lenses at all times while on duty, except when otherwise authorized by the San Diego Police Department. Your use of soft contact lenses will be subject to verification by the City of San Diego and to such medical eye examinations as necessary in the judgment of the City.


4. (a) If you have undergone any type of refractive vision surgery (or "touch up" surgery) such as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), radial keratotomy (RK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) prior to being medically considered for a Police Officer (Recruit Level) or Police Officer position, you must be substantially free of vision problems including, but not limited to: impaired vision at night or under dim lighting conditions; sensitivity to glare; starbursts experienced around light sources such as street lights or headlights; hazing or blurring of vision; eye irritation and pain; progressive regression of visual acuity; and/or daily changes in visual acuity. Your vision must meet the uncorrected standards listed under No.1, with your better eye no worse than 20/20 and your weaker eye no worse than 20/40.


To qualify under this provision, you will be asked to submit the results of a recent eye examination from your private ophthalmologist documenting the status of your vision. We will request this information from you following the medical examination given by the City.


(b) If you have undergone any type of refractive vision surgery (or "touch up" surgery) within six months of being medically considered for a Police Officer (Recruit Level) or Police Officer position, you may be hired on a "conditional" basis.


To qualify under this provision, you must successfully complete a City provided vision examination prior to hire and six months from the date of your last vision surgery or "touch up" surgery. You must be substantially free of the vision problems outlined in paragraph 4 (a) above. Your vision must be 20/20 in your better eye and 20/40 in your weaker eye. If it is not, it must be corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/40 in the weaker eye in accordance with the requirements in No.1 - 3 above.


5. In all cases, you need to have binocular vision (vision in both eyes), normal visual fields, normal binocular fusion, and freedom from other visual conditions that would interfere with your ability to perform the full range of duties of a Police Officer (Recruit Level) or Police Officer with the San Diego Police Department.


6. In all cases, you need an acceptable level of color vision. This is determined at the time of the medical examination given by the City using standardized color vision tests.


For hearing requirements, the City of San Diego uses the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission's guidelines for Police Officer (Recruit Level) applicants. These guidelines require pure tone threshold testing for each ear separately at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. For acoustical reasons, audiograms must be done without hearing aids in place.


An additional examination by a medical specialist will be required if the screening audiogram is considered "abnormal" or there is a history of ear-related symptoms. In general, an audiogram is considered to be abnormal if thresholds exceed 25 dB. In these cases, the examining physician must determine 1) whether the hearing loss is functionally relevant to the safe performance of patrol duties, and 2) whether the candidate needs to be evaluated by a hearing specialist to assess treatment options and/or prognosis.


Candidates with hearing aids: Candidates who wish to be tested with their hearing aids will be administered a test to assess speech comprehension ability in noise and quiet. Both tests will be administered by sound field methods rather than headphones. An aided audiogram will be reviewed to evaluate sound detection ability.


Prior to testing, the candidate must attest that he/she has worn the aids regularly for at least one month. In addition, all records from the audiologist who dispensed the hearing aids must be provided, including documentation of the fitting program and other hearing aid settings, which are used on a regular basis by the individual.


As a condition of employment, candidates who wear hearing aids will be required to sign a pre-employment agreement obligating them to wear their hearing aids when assigned to field duty or other hearing critical tasks.


NOTE:

• Any evaluation by a hearing specialist, including additional audiogram testing, will be at the applicant's expense.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Police Recruit (Recruiting Title: Police Officer (Recruit Level))

Rev. 4 - March 6, 2026 (Education Requirements Clarified)
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.


Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).


Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.

or review the
01


I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02


Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03


If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04


The minimum age requirement for City of San Diego Police Officers is 21 years of age, but candidates who are 20 years of age can apply. Are you currently at least 20 years of age?

• Yes
• No

05


Specify which ONE of the following options you are using to meet the education requirements.

• U.S. public high school diploma
• U.S. accredited nonpublic high school diploma
• U.S. Department of Defense high school diploma
• Passage of the General Education (G.E.D.) test or passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (C.H.S.P.E)
• U.S. college or university degree
• Foreign college or university degree with a NACES or AICE equivalency report
• None of the above

06


I understand that my foreign degree must be evaluated for equivalency to meet the education requirement and that it does not waive the Police Recruit written examination.

• Yes
• No

07


I understand that a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

• Yes
• No

08


To request a selection process waiver indicate which of the following apply to you. NOTE: Requests for a waiver will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Select a written exam date in question 9, if your waiver is approved your scheduled exam date will be cancelled.

• I passed the CURRENT customized and validated City of San Diego Police Officer (Recruit Level) written test within two years from the date of this application
• I was previously hired by the City of San Diego as a Police Officer (Recruit Level) within two years from the date of this application
• I have taken the National Testing Network's (NTN) law enforcement test within the last six (6) months and acquired scores of 55 on the video test, 65 on the reading test, 65 on the writing test and completed both public safety self-assessment (PSSA) test. NOTE: Attach correspondence showing you official NTN score that includes your name, date of exam, NTN law enforcement test, completion of both PSSA's and the scores for the video, reading, and writing test.
• I possess an associate degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America). NOTE: Attach a copy of your transcripts, degree certificate or degree audit report to your application
• I graduated from a California P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy with a Peace Officer's Course certificate. NOTE: Attach proof of certificate to your application
• I possess a California Basic P.O.S.T Certificate. NOTE: Attach proof of certificate to your application
• I have taken the California P.O.S.T. Pellet-B test within the last six (6) months and acquired T-scores of 42 in each of the following test sections; reading, writing and overall test. NOTE: Attach a letter from the organization that administered the Pellet-B exam. The letter must indicate your name, date of exam and your reading, writing and overall T-scores.
• None of the above apply. NOTE: You are not qualified for a waiver

09


Select a written exam date for which to be scheduled. NOTE: Out of Town candidates reside over 100 miles from downtown San Diego.

• 06/17/26 - 5:30 PM: San Diego Public Library - Otay Mesa Branch
• 06/26/26 - 8:30 AM: Balboa Park Club (Ballroom) (Out of Town process available)
• 07/02/26 - 9:00 AM: Balboa Park Club (Ballroom)

10


Indicate which of the following apply to you to request a physical abilities test (PAT) selection process waiver. NOTE: Requests for a waiver will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• You have passed the CURRENT City of San Diego physical abilities test (PAT) within the last TWO (2) years.
• You have taken the California POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) within the last six (6) months and acquired a score of 384 or above. The WSTB needs to be administered by an agency with staff that has completed the California POST Basic Course Physical Training Instructor training. NOTE: Attach your official California POST work sample test battery (WSTB) score verification report to your application.
• None of the above apply. NOTE: You are not qualified for a waiver.

11


I understand that the Out-Of-Town process enables candidates who reside more than 100 miles from downtown San Diego to take the written test on Friday, and if successful take the Physical Abilities Test on the same day and the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire the following morning. *This two-day process is available only when taking the Police Officer (Recruit Level) written exam at NTC on a Friday in the CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

• Yes
• No

Required Question