Police Officer - Academy Trained

Police Officer - Academy Trained

The City of Garden Grove is currently accepting online applications for the position of Police Officer - Academy Trained. The Garden Grove Police Department consists of 182 sworn staff including a chief, a deputy chief, two captains, seven lieutenants, 23 sergeants and 148 police officers, in addition to civilian personnel. After sufficient experience in the department, specialization is available in Patrol, Investigations, Juvenile Services, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Vice-Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Suppression Unit, Community Impact Unit, or Canine Handler. An outstanding in-service training program provides officers with extensive, continuous instruction in basic and specialized police techniques. Patrol officers work a modified 3/12.5 work schedule.

Under general supervision, police officers perform law enforcement and crime prevention work within a community policing philosophy; control traffic flow; enforce state and local laws and ordinances; and perform investigative work.

Requirements

Education: Graduation from high school or successful completion of the GED (General Educational Development) exam.

Certificates: Applicants must have completed a California POST-approved Basic Academy within the last three (3) years or possess a valid POST certificate. A valid copy of a POST Basic Academy certificate or a valid POST certificate must be attached to the online application.

Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.

Physical Condition: Must be in excellent condition and physically capable of performing all tasks required of a Garden Grove police officer as determined by a medical evaluation. Vision: Bilateral vision must be at least 20/100 correctable to 20/30 with no evidence of color blindness. Hearing: Hearing aids are not acceptable. Applicants with an average hearing loss of 26 dB or more in the better ear in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, and 46 dB in the 3000 c.p.s. range in the other ear are disqualified. (ANSI standard).

Work Authorization: Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States under federal law.

California Driver's License & Driving Record: Applicants must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license and an acceptable driving record prior to and throughout employment. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years.

Abilities & Skills: Applicants must demonstrate strong customer service skills and that they possess the ability to: pay close attention to detail; understand and accurately apply oral and written orders or instructions, laws, departmental policies and procedures; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and work closely and interact cooperatively and effectively with City staff members, our diverse citizens and representatives of other agencies.

Bilingual Skills: Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

Other Requirements: Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions.

How To Apply

Applications may be completed online by visiting Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

Online application packets must include:

• A completed online employment application
• An attached copy of a valid POST Basic Academy certificate or valid POST certificate
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire

The job application must be completely filled out. Please do not refer to a resume. Only applicants who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation.

Applicants will receive communication through email only. Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.

Selection Process

The selection process takes approximately 180 days from initial application to final selection depending on the duration of each step during the selection process. Some of the steps may take longer than anticipated due to availability and scheduling. Applicants who fail any part of the selection process will not be considered for the position. Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io at least one week prior to any test dates.

The selection process includes:

1. Application screening
2. Physical Agility Test - tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026
3. Panel Interview - tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026
4. Background investigation
5. Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Examination
6. Psychological evaluation
7. Pre-employment medical examination (which includes a back x-ray and drug and alcohol screening test)

The Physical Agility Test and Panel Interview may take place on the same day. More information will be available as the recruitment progresses.

Re-application: Candidates who applied for the Police Officer - Academy Trained position with the City of Garden Grove in the past and did not pass the following tests in the selection process may re-apply as indicated:

• Physical Agility Test: May apply as often as given.
• Panel Interview: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
• Background Investigation (including CVSA exam): Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
• Psychological Evaluation: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.

For further questions, please contact Corporal Benjamin Elizondo at View email address on click.appcast.io or Human Resources Analyst Ashleigh Anderson Camba at View email address on click.appcast.io.

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.