Police Recruit - Academy Enrolled

Police Recruit - Academy Enrolled

The City of Garden Grove is currently accepting online applications for the position of Police Recruit - Academy Enrolled. Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Monday, June 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST. This position is intended for applicants who are currently enrolled in a POST-approved Basic Academy.

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.

Recruits are eligible for medical and dental benefits while in the academy. Following academy graduation, Academy Enrolled Police Recruits may be hired as a sworn police officer based on overall academy performance, evaluations, referrals and availability of positions. The Recruit's performance will be subject to review by City staff prior to appointment as a regular police officer. All new police officers serve an 18-month probationary period. Compensation for police officers starts at $7,655 per month, with full benefits, additional compensation for certified bilingual skills, and great educational incentives.

Essential Duties

Duties while in the Police Academy: Police Recruits attend a California POST-approved Basic Police Academy to participate in a strict and intensive training program, including memorization and hands-on practice of law enforcement techniques, specific laws and procedures; rigorous physical training; daily homework; first aid training; uniform, equipment and weapons handling techniques; and other duties as assigned. These are all designed to provide an in-depth overview of the criminal justice system and what is necessary to be a successful and well-prepared police officer.

Requirements

Education: Applicants must be currently enrolled in a California POST-approved Basic Academy. Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam. Age: Applicants must be 21 years of age upon completion of academy training in order to be appointed to a position of sworn police officer. Physical Requirements: Applicants must be in excellent physical condition, and able to perform all tasks required of a Garden Grove police officer. 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 in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, or more, in their better ear; 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. Other Requirements: Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions. Additional Abilities & Skills: Applicants must demonstrate that they possess: the ability to pay close attention to detail; the ability to understand and accurately apply oral and written instructions, laws, orders, policies and procedures; effective oral communication, record keeping and report writing skills; strong customer service skills; and the ability to work closely, cooperatively and effectively with City staff members, Garden Grove's diverse citizens and various representatives of other agencies. Bilingual Skills: Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

Other Important Information

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 Monday, June 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST. Online application packet must include: a completed online employment application, and a completed 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:

• Application Screening
• Written Examination: Test scores must be received by July 6, 2026 from one of the two test options below. Failure to complete one of the options below may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. Candidates may submit existing test scores that were taken within the prior year but still valid on July 6, 2026. Test scores must meet the minimum passing score(s) to be accepted.
• National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam
• Passing score: 61.5 on Human Relations, 65 on Reading, and 65 on Writing
• This exam is administered directly by the NTN and candidates pay a test fee for the service. Please visit the NTN website for more information on testing locations and pricing.
• To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here. Select the Garden Grove Police Department and the specific position you are applying to.
• NTN will submit your scores to Garden Grove Human Resources for review. Candidates should plan accordingly to allow adequate time for exam scoring and delivery by the deadline.
• P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)
• Passing score: Total T-Score - 42 or higher
• Garden Grove Human Resources does not have any PELLETB test dates scheduled. 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 meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.
• PELLETB score may be attached to your online application or emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Physical Agility Test - tentatively scheduled for July 18, 2026
• Panel Interview - tentatively scheduled for July 22, 2026
• Thorough Background Investigation
• Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Examination
• Psychological Evaluation
• Pre-Employment Medical Examination (which includes a back x-ray, treadmill stress test, and drug and alcohol screening)

Exam dates are tentative and subject to change. 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.

Re-application: Candidates who applied for the Police Recruit-Academy Enrolled 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.
• POST Written Test (PELLETB): May apply as often as given, but applicants must wait 30 calendar days before retaking a POST exam per POST policy.
• National Testing Network (NTN): May apply as often as given, but applicants are subject to NTN's retesting policies.
• 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