POLICE RECRUIT

About The Position

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 visit Applicants 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 Disqualifying Criteria 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.