POLICE RECRUIT

Salary : $79,879.40 - $98,061.60 Annually
Location : 140 E. 12th Street, Suite A, National City, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-PR3
Department: Police
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 8/6/2026 6:00 PM Pacific

THE CITY:
The City of National City is a full-service, state-governed city serving a vibrant and socioeconomically diverse community. Its diverse population, mild climate, and central location make National City a great place to live, work, play, and do business. The City takes great pride in its rich history, strong bi-national relationships, and deep commitment to its residents, schools, neighborhoods, and thriving business districts.

As San Diego County's second-oldest city, National City is truly at the center of it all. Located within a dynamic bi-national region of more than five million consumers, the City's competitive advantage lies in its central location, robust transportation network, and diverse business industry. National City is just minutes from downtown San Diego, local beaches, San Diego International Airport, the U.S.-Mexico border, San Diego State University, and other colleges and universities.

National City is served by Interstates 5 and 805, as well as State Route 54, providing convenient access for residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the region and into Mexico. Public transit options are readily available through the San Diego Trolley and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which serve National City seven days a week.

For more information on the City please visit our website at: .

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ABOUT THE POSITION

Mission : In partnership with our community, the National City Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of service and public safety. We will pursue this commitment with an unwavering resolve while always respecting the rights and dignity of those we serve.

Under immediate supervision, attend a Basic Police Academy and participate in departmental training and orientation programs to prepare for a professional law enforcement career.

This is a non-sworn, civilian, trainee class designed to employ Police Officer candidates during the initial, formalized, basic police officer training. Police Recruit is distinguished from the next higher class, Police Officer, in that recruits are not assigned any active law enforcement duties and do not have peace officer powers. Upon successful completion of required training, recruits may be appointed and sworn in as Police Officers.

IDEAL CANDIDATE & QUALIFICATIONS
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE : Any combination equivalent to training and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
ABILITY TO : Observe, learn, understand, and interpret various laws and police practices and procedures; analyze problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take appropriate action in emergency and stressful situations; undergo strenuous physical conditioning; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports in English; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with persons of widely varying socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds; understand and carry out oral and written directions.


LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for citizenship. Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of appointment. Must meet all requirements for admission to Basic Police Academy recognized by POST.
TO APPLY

• Applications will be accepted online only at, and all notices will be sent via e-mail.
• Based upon the review of applications received, those applicants who best meet the requirements indicated above will be asked to complete a Pre-Background Questionnaire.
• Applicants who pass the review of their pre-background questionnaire, will be invited to a pass/fail written exam.
• Those applicants passing the written exam may be invited to the Physical Agility Test (PAT).
• Applicants scoring at or above the threshold will be required to complete a Personnel Information Questionnaire (PIQ) and may be invited to an oral interview with the Police Department.

Written Exam : The City of National City utilizes the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB). For more information regarding this exam please visitApplicants desiring to waive the written examination are required to submit proof of a valid and recent (issued within 3 months) POST T-Score of 47 or higher.
Physical Agility Test : The test consists of six elements: Obstacle course/agility run, body drag, chain link fence, solid fence climb, 500-yard run, and 1.5-mile run.
POST Academy Enrollment Information: Any applicant enrolled in a Basic Police Academy that meets all the requirements of the California Commission on Police Standards & Training (POST), is eligible to waive the written examination and the physical agility test. Proof of enrollment must be attached to the application.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The City of National City Police Recruit Written Exam and Physical Agility Test and Written Exam will be held on the following dates. The dates are provided to assist potential candidates in planning. Eligible candidates will be notified of the time and location prior to the testing dates.
1. Written Exam: Thursday, September 3, 2026. 2. Physical Agility Test: Saturday, September 19, 2026.
NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond our control, test dates are subject to change.
Only those candidates who successfully pass the Written (if applicable)and Physical Agility Examinations may be invited to the oral interviews. The candidates that continue in the selection process will be subject to a background investigation including fingerprinting, computer voice stress analysis (CVSA), psychological evaluation, and a thorough medical examination. There are certain types of conduct, which will be automatic grounds for disqualification. Please read the information on the to help you identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause a delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process.

For additional information on the National City Police Department, click .
For benefit information, please click on the Memorandum of Understanding for the Police Officers' Association:
01


The following information will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to compete in the Police Recruit Selection Process. You MUST complete this information in order for your application to be considered. Select "YES" if you understand this requirement.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess education equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma or GED?In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you MUST have either a U.S. high school diploma or GED.

• Yes
• No

03


Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• U.S. Citizen
• Permanent Resident and has applied for citizenship
• Not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

05


Do you possess a valid California C Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

06


Have you ever been convicted of a felony crime(s)?

• Yes
• No

07


If you answered "YES" to Question 6, please explain. If you answered "NO" to Question 6, please indicate "N/A".
08


Have you ever been convicted of a crime(s), including misdemeanor, regardless of whether the conviction(s) resulted in a sentence, suspended sentence, probation, or other resolution following a plea of guilty or no contest, a verdict, or other finding of guilt? In responding to this question, do not include: arrests that did not lead to a conviction; convictions for marijuana-related offenses or for the possession of drug paraphernalia more than two years old; or any participation in referral to any pre-trial diversion program. (Convictions are not necessarily disqualifying.)

• Yes
• No

09


If you answered "YES" to question 8, please explain. If you answered "NO" to Question 8, please indicate "N/A".
10


Have you applied & tested for POLICE RECRUIT with our agency within the last six (6) months?

• Yes
• No

11


If you answered "YES" to Question 10, please explain. If you answered "NO" to Question 10, please indicate "N/A".NOTE: If you failed a portion of the testing components, you may not apply for a six (6) month period after the date of failure.
12


Have you taken and passed the POST PELLETB written exam within the previous three (3) months with a score of 47 or higher? (If "YES", please attach proof to application)

• Yes
• No

13


If you answered "YES" to question 12, please provide name of law enforcement agency and date you took written exam. If you answered "NO" to question 12, please indicate "N/A".
14



APPLICANT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT - NOTIFICATION VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL) The City of National City's Human Resources Department uses electronic mail (e-mail) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of your application. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following:1. Ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. Do not share email addresses. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept our emails. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails , i.e., for the non-delivery of email or if you fail to check your email box on a timely basis, etc.2. Read any notices we send carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions if any. We recommend that you print and keep a hard copy of our notices for your records.I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

• Yes
• No

Required Question