Police Recruit

Join The City Of Orange Police Department As A Police Recruit

Next tentative testing date: Friday morning, November 20, 2026. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to the Physical Ability Test and POST PELLET-B Written Exam on the above tentative testing date. The position: This is a non-sworn trainee classification. Incumbents are employed by the City of Orange while they participate in required law enforcement training in order to develop and meet the requirements of the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the required law enforcement training, Police Recruits are promoted to the position of Police Officer.

Application procedure: It is important that you read and become familiar with the job flyer in its entirety as pertinent information is provided here regarding application requirements. All fields of the application must be completed. If a field in the application does not apply to you, then please indicate so by typing "N/A". Incomplete applications, or applications directed to other prospective agencies/employers, will result in disqualification from the selection process.

Automatic disqualifiers: Before submitting an application for the position of Police Recruit, please read the Automatic Disqualifier Notice (link below) to determine if you are eligible to apply.

Selection process: The City of Orange is looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in the community they serve by becoming a member of one of the best Police Departments in Orange County. The successful candidates will demonstrate a desire for a career as a Police Officer through their education and experience. Those candidates who best meet the needs of the City will be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include, but may not be limited to, the following steps:

1. Application screening (scored as a pass/fail)
2. Physical ability test (scored as pass/fail - see below for details)
3. POST PELLET-B Written Test (scored as pass/fail with the passing T-Score set at 45 or higher - see for a sample exam)
4. Oral interview (100% of a candidate's score in the selection process)

Applications are continuously screened by the City. Candidates who pass the application screening are invited to participate in steps 2 and 3 of the selection process, which typically occur on the same day (the Friday noted at the top of this job posting, between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) and at a frequency of every 4 to 8 weeks.

Physical ability test components:

• Obstacle course (foot pursuit): 99-yards in length. Involves various turns, balance beams, and a hurdle.
• 2 six-foot walls: Climb over one solid concrete wall and one chain-linked wall.
• Dummy drag: Lift, drag, and pull a 165 lbs. dummy for 35 ft.
• 500-yard run: Timed completion of the distance.

Police recruit salary & benefits: Police Recruits sponsored by the Orange Police Department receive a salary of $6,245 per month and generous benefits while attending the Police Academy. See the BENEFITS tab of this job bulletin for complete information.

Police officer salary & benefits: After successful completion of the Academy, Police Recruits will be promoted to Police Officers. The salary for the position of Police Officer is $8,378 - $11,174.50 per month, plus excellent benefits and salary incentives, some of which are listed below.

Police officer salary incentives:

• Motor officers: Additional 6.5% of base salary per month
• Detectives: Additional 7.5% of base salary per month
• Canine handlers: Additional 6.5% of base salary pay per month
• Corporals in patrol: Additional 10.0% of base salary per month
• Driving under influence (DUI) team: Additional 5.0% of base salary per month
• Homeless engagement and resource team (HEART): Additional 5.0% of base salary per month
• Bike team: Additional 5.0% of base salary per month
• Crime scene investigators: Additional $250 per month
• Drug recognition expert: Additional $250 per month
• Field training officers: Up to $475 per month
• SWAT and crisis negotiation team (CNT): Up to $200 per month
• Shift differential: Additional 2% of base salary per month
• Senior officer pay: Officers with over 6 years of service, who are not in special assignments, receive additional 5% of base salary per month
• Bilingual pay: Additional $300 per month
• Educational incentive program: Officers receive the following incentives for college degree/units and POST certificates.

Bachelor's degree - $450.00 per month

Master's degree in an area related to law enforcement, public administration, or management from an accredited university, as approved by the City Manager or a duly authorized designee - $700.00 per month

POST intermediate certificate - $200.00 per month

POST advanced certificate - $250.00 per month

Longevity/Retention pay:

• 10 years of service - $200.00 per month
• 15 years of service - $300.00 per month
• 20 years of service - $400.00 per month
• 25 years of service - $500.00 per month

Other benefits: Upon promotion from Police Recruit to Police Officer, employees work the 3/12 schedule in patrol. Employees receive 105 hours per year of holiday pay, and 80 hours of vacation for the first 4 years of service. Vacation pay increases to 120 hours per year upon 5 years of service, and increases to a maximum of 220 hours per year after 30 years of service. The City also pays Court Standby Pay. In addition to a CalPERS pension plan, the City offers an optional Deferred Compensation Plan. For a complete list of Police Officer benefit information, click here.

Examples of Duties

This is a non-sworn trainee classification. Incumbents are employed by the City of Orange while they participate in required law enforcement training in order to develop and meet the requirements of the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the required law enforcement training, Police Recruits are promoted to the position of Police Officer. Police Recruits are employed to train, prepare, and graduate from the Police Academy in order to successfully perform the following duties as a Police Officer: Under supervision, performs community-based law enforcement and crime prevention duties; enforces city, county and state laws; patrols assigned areas; responds to calls for protection of life and property; conducts preliminary investigations of matters involving possible violations of law; investigates criminal cases; directs and controls traffic flow; stops violators; warns against unlawful practices, issues citations, testifies in court; prepares and submits reports; inspects business premises; investigates suspicious persons and circumstances; gives information and directions to the public; reviews case records and reports; collects and identifies evidence; apprehends and arrests criminal law violators; enforces parking regulations; attends training assignments and target practice; performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

1. Graduation from high school, or equivalent.
2. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
3. At least 20 years of age at time of application, and at least 21 years of age by date of hire.
4. Possession of a valid California driver's license, auto insurance, and a satisfactory driving record.
5. All personnel hired by the Orange Police Department shall be a permanent and full-time resident of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters.

Selection standards: POST sets the minimum standards for Peace Officers in the State of California. POST guidelines provide for the following five (5) major categories that we consider during the hiring process:

1. Moral character: