Police Recruit

Salary : $61,588.80 - $96,907.20 Annually
Location : Irvine, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 3888
Department: Public Safety
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 7/21/2027 12:00 AM Pacific


Description
Police Recruits will start at $37.80 per hour.
Current Employees

Use the Workday to view and apply to opportunities.
Do not use the external career site to apply.

External Applicants:

Use the Workday to view and apply to opportunities.
At the City of Irvine, we strive to make a difference within a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect. If you are interested in a career in law enforcement as part of a world class agency, the Police Officer Recruit position would be an excellent opportunity.

As a Police Officer Recruit, you must complete a P.O.S.T. approved basic academy. After successful completion of a six-month P.O.S.T. academy, you will be promoted to the position of Police Officer.
Salary upon Academy Graduation:

Police Officer Salary
$51.33 - $82.36 Hourly
Your Impact:

• Ensure a high level of community collaboration, strategic partnerships, and progressive problem solving.
• Complete a 20-week Field Training Officer (FTO) program to prepare for patrol duties within designated areas of the city.
• Investigate crime against persons or property, make arrests, and enforce traffic regulations.
• Write police reports, testify in court, and perform other related law enforcement duties.
• Interface closely with all segments of the community.
• Find additional information in the job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of 60 college level units or an AA degree and or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Requires possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver license.

All applicants must be able to pass the Public Safety background check process.

The City
Irvine is recognized as one of America's Best Places to Live, according to Money Magazine. The City of Irvine has the distinction of being one of the safest cities in the United States with a population of more than 100,000, based upon FBI statistics on violent crime.

Your Team
The is a full-service public safety agency that provides several special program areas including Emergency Management, Crime Prevention, DARE, School Resource Officer, K-9s, Traffic Enforcement, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, General Investigation, Crime Scene Investigation, Special Investigation (vice & narcotics), and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). Irvine is committed to a full community oriented policing concept that interfaces closely with all segments of the community.

The Process The selection process will include an examination and conduct a background investigation prior to appointment. All applicants must be able to pass the Public Safety background check process. This includes, but is not limited to, the review of legal documents, police and driving records, credit profile, motor vehicle insurance, vehicle operation, prior employment records, and performance reviews. Information about the public safety background process may be found at our page.

This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization. This is a continuous recruitment and interested applicants should submit their application as soon as possible. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.
Written Exam Candidates will be offered the written exam online (proctored through CPS) or in-person at the station. In-person testing is offered on a monthly basis.


The City of Irvine's written exam is not the POST exam and t-scores from other agencies are not accepted as a substitute.

If you have previously taken the City of Irvine's written exam, you will be eligible to retest 3 months after the previous exam date. Feel free to check your previous exam date by logging in to
2026 Calendar


Written Exam (CTC) - City Hall

Oral Interviews

PAT
5/7/2026 9:00 a.m.

5/28/2026

5/29/2026
7/9/2026 9:00 a.m.

7/23/2026

7/24/2026
9/10/2026 9:00 a.m.

9/24/2026

9/25/2026
11/5/2026 9:00 a.m.

11/19/2026

11/20/2026

Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.
E-Verify

The City of Irvine participates in E-Verify. In compliance with federal law, all employees must provide verification of identity and employment authorization at the time of hire. For additional information, please review the and notices.
Retirement
Full-time employees will be enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), which is a defined benefit plan.
The City offers membership in the California Public Employees Retirement Systems (CalPERS). Retirement formula based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Candidates hired as new PERS members will be enrolled in a 2.0% at 62 formula while in the academy and enrolled in a 2.7% at 57 formula when hired as a Police Officer.

Retirement formulas will be confirmed with selected candidates prior to appointment.

Health Plan
The City currently offers medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and their dependents. In addition, the City provides life insurance and a disability plan for employees.

Leave Time
80 to 160 hours of annual vacation accrual, depending on years of service; 12 paid holidays per year; 96 hours of sick leave per year; and 120 hours of annual personal leave. The City currently operates on a 36/44 hour work week schedule.

Benefits
Health and Wellness benefit $1000 per year; Flexible Spending Account that allows pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses; and a City Wellness program that includes on-site fitness centers.
01


Have you graduated from an accredited US High School?If unsure, please contact your State Department of Education for accredited high school verification.

• Yes
• No

02


Please select the number of collegiate educational units you currently have.

• 60 or more
• 40-59
• Less than 40

03


Please indicate your preference for taking the written exam. We highly recommend the in-person exam. The online exam is intended for out-of-state or out-of-area applicants.

• In-person at the Irvine Civic Center
• Online Exam option

04


Have you previously applied for the position of Police Recruit, Lateral or Academy Graduate with the City of Irvine?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please indicate when you last applied for the position of Police Recruit, with the City of Irvine.(To check your last application date, go to the "Application Status" tab on your governmentjobs.com account).
06


Have you applied to any other agency in the past twelve months?

• Yes
• No

07


If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list all agencies you have applied to in the past twelve months, including: the date of the application, the position you applied for with that agency, and state the current status for each (e.g. eligibility list, withdrew, disqualified*, pending/in process):
08


If you have served in the military, please include the details of your military service below.
09


Are you a member of CalPERS by previous employment? This means you have funds on deposit or service credit with CalPERS.

• Yes
• No

10


Have you ever been terminated or asked to resign from a previous employer?

• Yes
• No

11


If you answered "yes" to the above question, please include details of your termination below.
12


Why are interested in being a Police Recruit for the Irvine Police Department?
Required Question