Police Officer (Recruit Level)

About the San Diego Police Department San Diego Police Department (SDPD) is a veteran‑friendly employer that honors service and offers a competitive salary, benefits, and the opportunity to work in a community‑oriented policing environment. SDPD is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to train eligible veterans and individuals under 38 U.S.C. 3675, providing on‑the‑job training (OJT) for the California POST‑approved Police Academy and a year of field training. Position Overview Police Officer (Recruit Level) – an entry‑level law enforcement position that begins with the Police Academy. Successful completion promotes the applicant to Police Officer I and assignment to the Field Training Unit. The role supports community safety, crime prevention, and public relations while following PoST standards. Responsibilities Contribute to community presence to deter crime and support citizens. Build strong relationships with community members, upholding community‑oriented policing best practices. Serve as police presence at major public events to ensure public safety. Identify potential criminal or hazardous situations and take appropriate actions to protect citizens and property. Secure crime scenes and process evidence. Respond to calls for service, observe violations, and make arrests and citations when necessary. Conduct criminal investigations, gather evidence, and interview victims and witnesses. Document observations and actions by radioing information and completing reports. Testify in court regarding criminal investigations and citations. Maintain safe traffic conditions by monitoring and directing traffic, enforcing laws, investigating collisions, and reporting unsafe streets. Required Skills & Attributes Integrity and strong leadership skills. Excellent judgment under pressure. Fitness level sufficient to perform law enforcement duties. Emotional awareness, control, and appropriate expression. Judgment and adaptability to uncertain situations. Empathy and ability to manage interpersonal relationships. Comfort in diverse populations. Training & Career Path Police Academy classroom lectures cover criminal law, arrest laws, traffic laws, juvenile law, policing principles, evidence rules, search and seizure, patrol theory, and report writing. Students observe arrest and control methods, firearms safety, shoot‑to‑kill, and other skill demonstrations, participate in physical conditioning, self‑defense exercises, fire‑arms practice, and take examinations. Upon acceptance into the Academy, graduates attend a year of field training and are promoted to Police Officer I. Employment & Compensation Eligible employees hired on or after 10 July 2021 are automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS). The basic salary is competitive, and additional pay opportunities exist. Police Officer (Recruit Level) must complete the Regional Academy Training and acquire a Basic POST Certificate within one year of hire. After academy completion, promotion to Police Officer I with a minimum four‑month field‑training assignment. Police Officer I may work a 4‑day/10‑hour rotating shift depending on assignment. Uniform allowance of $900 annually after the first year. Bilingual pay (3.5 % of base) for qualified officers if skills are required. Additional add‑on pays may be available when requirements are met. State Standards PoST Standards require candidates to be free of felony convictions. Background investigation will disqualify applicants with domestic violence convictions or a registered sex offender status. See PoST Disqualifiers for more detail. Minimum Requirements Age: 20 years on application date; 21 years by Academy graduation. Citizenship: Legally authorized to work in the United States. Education Options (any one) Public or accredited non‑public U.S. high school graduation. U.S. Department of Defense high school graduation. GED or California High School Proficiency Examination. Two‑, four‑ or advanced year degree from a U.S. accredited college or university. Two‑, four‑ or advanced year degree earned outside the U.S. with a NACES or AICE equivalency report. License Valid California Class C Driver License required at time of hire. Required Documents (to include with application) Education waiver: Associate degree or higher diploma OR official transcripts showing degree conferral. POST certification waiver: California POST‑approved Police Academy Peace Officer Course Certificate OR California POST Basic Peace Officer Certificate. Written test waiver: Letter from the administering agency with exam details or NTN Law Enforcement Individual Score Report. Physical Abilities Test waiver: Official California POST Work Sample Test Battery score verification report. Screening Process The application undergoes review for completeness and accuracy. Eligible applicants may be scheduled for the written examination, followed by a performance test unless waived. Successful completion of both tests places candidates on an eligibility list used to fill future vacancies. Pre‑Employment Requirements Citizenship or legal right to work confirmation. Pre‑employment medical review, including drug screening. Reference checks and fingerprinting. Additional screenings such as polygraph or background investigation may be required. Health requirements: Vision standards (20/20 in better eye, 20/40 in weaker eye, with or without glasses/contact lenses) and hearing standards per PoST guidelines. Benefits and Retirements Enrollment in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS) for eligible hires. Revision Notice Police Recruit – Recruiting Title: Police Officer (Recruit Level). Rev. 4 – March 6, 2026 (Education Requirements Clarified) #J-18808-Ljbffr The City of San Diego