Police Recruit

Salary : $84,648.00 Annually
Location : Costa Mesa, CA, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 0709:26-R
Department: Police
Opening Date: 12/16/2025
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
***$10,000 SIGNING BONUS***
The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $10,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Police Recruit applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $3,000 upon graduation from the academy, $3,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training program, and $4,000 upon completion of probation.
This recruitment is for entry-level candidates interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Work involves full-time attendance at a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic police academy to prepare for the responsibilities of a police officer. After meeting all department, state-mandated and academy requirements, including graduation from the Police Academy, the Recruit will be sworn in as a Police Officer (salary range of $7,890 - $10,572 monthly).


For more information about the Costa Mesa Police Department, click here .
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications and written exam scores must be received by August 3rd to be considered for the Physical Agility Test scheduled tentatively for August 29, 2026.
Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis in order to meet the needs of the City.
STEP #1: SUBMIT APPLICATION

Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted). Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process. Candidates who pass an initial application screening and submit a qualifying written exam score will be invited to continue in the selection process.
Do NOT attach any additional documents (i.e. resume) to the application, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process (except for the PELLETB written exam score, if applicable).
STEP #2: WRITTEN EXAMINATION
Submit test results from one of the two test options below. Scores that are dated within one (1) year of the application date and meet the minimum passing score will be accepted.
National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam

• Passing scores: Video - 65% or higher; Reading - 70% or higher; and Writing - 70% or higher
• This exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the Country.
• To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here . Select the Costa Mesa Police Department and the specific position you are applying to.
• NTN will submit the scores to Costa Mesa Human Resources for review.
• Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications.

- OR -
P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)

• Passing score: Total T-Score - 45 or higher
• Costa Mesa Police Department does not have any future test dates; however, if you have taken the PELLETB test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to be meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.
• PELLETB score must be attached to online application.

STEP #3: PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)

Qualified applicants who complete steps 1 & 2 will be invited to the PAT when a test date is established. The PAT is typically scheduled several times per year.

• To view a video detailing the PAT components click here .

STEP #4: ORAL INTERVIEW EVALUATIONS

Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will be invited to the interview evaluation.
ELIGIBILITY LIST

Candidates must pass all four (4) of the steps listed above to be placed on the City's Eligibility List. The application screening, written examination, and physical agility test are all qualifying steps (pass/fail). The oral interview evaluation is weighted 100% and determines a candidates' placement on the eligibility list. Eligibility lists are valid for one (1) year from the date they are established unless it is exhausted sooner or extended for an additional period of time.
FINAL PHASES OF THE SELECTION PROCESS:

Upon being placed on the eligibility list, appointment(s) will be made after successfully passing each of the following components: polygraph examination, a comprehensive background investigation, interview with the Chief of Police, and the post-offer pre-employment psychological evaluation and medical examination. All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States.
Please call the Police Recruitment Hotline at View phone number on click.appcast.io with any questions.

Leave a message with your question and a staff member will return your call within one business day.

*Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of a scheduled test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process.

NOTE: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

Essential Functions
Please click the following link to review the essential functions in the job description:
Police Recruit

Qualification Guidelines
If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, or if any of the automatic disqualifiers pertain to you, it is recommended that you do not submit an application and written exam score for this position as you will be automatically disqualified from the selection process.
AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS : Please be advised of the Costa Mesa Police Department automatic disqualifiers : click here for a list of background disqualifiers.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Must be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution.
• College course work with an emphasis in police science, social sciences, or a related field is desirable.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

• Class C California Driver's License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS PER P.O.S.T. REGULATIONS:

• Vision: 20/20 each eye corrected or uncorrected. Normal color vision.
• Hearing: Normal hearing acuity.
• Height/Weight: In proportion to age and frame.
• Citizenship: Legal authorization to work in the United States under federal law.
• Age: 21 years of age, or older, at the time of graduation from the academy.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Please click the following link to review detailed information on the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities in the job description:
Police Recruit

SPECIAL NOTE:
Smoking or use of any tobacco products at any time while on duty is prohibited. Tattoos shall not be visible while on duty.

Supplemental Information
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the physical tasks and environmental factors for these classifications. Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
To view the City's 2026 Benefit Summary, please click


Police Recruits are full-time employees appointed by and serve at the will of the Chief of Police. Police Recruits contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@62 or 2%@60 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility. Upon successful completion of the Academy, Police Recruits transition to a full-time Police Officer and begin contributing as described below.
Police Officers are full-time employees who contribute 14% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 3%@50 or 2.7%@57 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility. A $2,419 monthly contribution is offered towards each employee's flexible benefit account. Lateral Police Officers may be eligible for up to 80 hours of sick leave credited to their Sick Leave Bank upon hire.
Police Reserve Officers are part-time employees appointed by and serve at the will of the Chief of Police. Police Reserve Officers participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending upon eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 12.75% or 14% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2.7%@57 or the 3%@50 depending upon eligibility.
Employees do not contribute to the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare and requires enrollment in an alternative retirement system. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.
01


I have reviewed the job flyer including the link to the automatic disqualifiers.

• Yes
• No

02


I have included all of my work history. For applicants with more than 10 years of work history, you must include your work history over the past 10 years as a minimum.

• Yes
• No

03


Written Examination requirement: You must submit a qualifying written exam score in order to be considered for the Physical Agility Test (PAT). Indicate which of the following applies to you:

• I have already taken the Frontline National Exam with NTN within the last 12 months and will have the score submitted to Costa Mesa Police Department.
• I will schedule/take the Frontline National Exam with NTN and submit the score to Costa Mesa Police Department.
• I have taken the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written exam within the last 12 months with another agency and received a Total T-Score of 45 or higher AND I have attached a copy of my score to this online application.

04


This position requires that you are at least 21 years of age, or older, at the time of graduation from the academy. Do you understand?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you currently possess a valid California Class C Driver's License? If you are out-of-state, do you possess a driver's license in your state of residence as of today, and are you willing and able to obtain a CA driver's license if offered this position?

• Yes
• No

06


Have you ever applied for any position within the Costa Mesa Police Department? If yes, list the position(s) and date(s) applied.If no, indicate "No."
07


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law?

• Yes
• No

08


Have you ever been disqualified during the background process for any position within a law enforcement agency?If yes, please explain and include the law enforcement agency, date, and reason provided.If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A."
09


In the last three (3) years, have you used illegal drugs known as Methamphetamine, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Ketamine, GHB, Mushrooms, Barbiturates, Bath Salts, or Illegal Injectable Steroids?

• Yes
• No

10


Have you ever used illegal drugs known as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), Heroin, or PCP (phencyclidine)?

• Yes
• No

11


Have you used any other "street drugs" or recreational drugs not listed above? If yes, indicate the name of the drug(s) and how long ago you used them. If no, indicate "No."
12


Have you ever sold, manufactured, grown, or transported (with the intent to sell) illegal drugs (including prescription medication not prescribed to you)?

• Yes
• No

13


In the last two (2) years, have you stolen from your current employer (excludes pens, pencils, etc.)?

• Yes
• No

14


In the past five (5) years, have you been involved in any theft/shoplifting in excess of $950?

• Yes
• No

15


Have you ever been convicted for a felony offense?

• Yes
• No

16


Are you currently on probation, parole, or any other supervised conditions of release from custody?

• Yes
• No

17


In the last five (5) years, have you been convicted of a DUI (Driving Under the Influence), or accepted any DUI plea agreement to a lesser charge?

• Yes
• No

18


In the last three (3) years, have you been the driver in three (3) or more at fault traffic accidents ?

• Yes
• No

19


In the last three (3) years, have you received three (3) or more moving violations? (Moving violations are violations which result in points on your license and does not include issues such as parking citations or equipment violations.)

• Yes
• No

20


In the past two (2) years, how many times have you been reprimanded or counseled for tardiness/absences (non-medical or family leave related)?
21


Have you ever been terminated or resigned in lieu of termination? If no, please indicate "No". If yes, please explain and include date(s) and reason(s) for termination.
22


Have you engaged in any illegal sex act outlined in the California Penal Code? If yes, please explain. If no, indicate "No."
23


Have you ever accessed illegal pornography involving children (to include "sexting" pictures of minors), or accessed pornography on a work computer? If yes, please explain. If no, indicate "No."
24


As a Costa Mesa Police Recruit you will be required to adhere to the grooming policy of the Orange County Sheriff's Academy. This policy requires a cleanly shaven face, #1 guard haircut for men, and neat and easily maintained hair for women. Once hired as a Police Officer, the grooming policy for the Costa Mesa Police Department requires moderately tapered hair that does not extend below the top edge of the shirt collar and does not cover the ear for men, and neat, clean and well groomed hair for women. Facial hair other than sideburns and mustaches shall not be worn. Will you be able to comply with these standards?

• Yes
• No

25


I understand that I shall not smoke or use tobacco products at any time while on duty.

• Agree
• Disagree

26


I understand tattoos shall not be visible while on duty.

• Agree
• Disagree

27


Were you referred to this vacancy by a current City of Costa Mesa employee? If no, please indicate "No". If yes, please list the full name of the City of Costa Mesa employee who referred you (list only one employee) and briefly explain how you know them.
28


If you are successful in completing the testing process, you may be selected to continue in the background process which includes, but is not limited to, a comprehensive investigation, fingerprinting, polygraph examination and credit check. Recent drug usage, theft, or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. I understand this requirement.

• Agree
• Disagree

29


I understand that an incomplete application may lead to disqualification from the recruitment process and I have supplied all the applicable information in my application. Examples of incomplete/inaccurate information leading to disqualification include, but are not limited to: noting incorrect department, leaving dates of employment blank, leaving reason for leaving employment blank, leaving duties blank or noting "see resume", etc.

• Agree
• Disagree

30


I certify that all information I provided in my application is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and that purposely providing false information may be grounds for disqualification from the process.

• Agree
• Disagree

Required Question