Police Officer - Entry

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Police Department, 215 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2026-001h-2400-PD-EU
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


DESCRIPTION
PAY RATES:
Police Officer Entry Level: (during the academy) $49.1104 hourly, $102,149 Annually
Plus Hiring Bonus up to $10,000

Successful Police Academy Graduates: $54.35 - $66.06 hourly, $113,048 - $137,412 Annually Note: Successful Police Academy Graduates may be eligible for additional pay, depending on qualifications and specialty. Please see the Benefits tab for more information.

The City of Santa Barbara is excited to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the Police Officer-Entry Level position within the Police Department.

As a Police Officer-Entry Level, you will attend a P.O.S.T.-certified Police Academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system, training in various laws and procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, physical fitness and related duties.

NOW ACCEPTING SCORES FROM THE NATONAL TESTING NETWORK AND T-SCORES FROM OTHER AGENCIES

For more information about the National Testing Network, click here

ABOUT US
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive.


The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. Work in a department where character counts, performance and excellence are celebrated, a place that helps employees develop and grow, and an environment that listens, learns, invites and inspires new ideas.


THE POSITION
Under close supervision, learns law enforcement and crime prevention procedures and techniques during attendance at a 24-week P.O.S.T.-certified academy through classroom and physical training. Upon successful completion of the academy, incumbents will be promoted to the position of Police Officer and be expected to perform the following duties: Patrol assigned area in police car, on motorcycle or on foot enforcing Federal, State and Municipal laws and ordinances; issue warnings and citations for violations; respond to a variety of calls for public service; maintain constant radio contact with communications center; conduct preliminary investigations; testify in court; apprehend, arrest, and book suspects; and do other work as required. The Santa Barbara Police Department supports community-oriented policing.

The City of Santa Barbara is a certified partner with the Veteran's Administration for On-The-Job Training / Apprenticeship Programs, which may offer educational assistance to Veterans and other eligible individuals while they pursue approved training programs.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of: Basic oral and written communication skills including grammar, punctuation, and spelling required for report writing, verbal explanations of the law, and court testimony.
Ability to: Meet the physical and psychological standards required; make accurate observations; read, understand, and follow written and oral directions and established police procedures; learn to deal tactfully and effectively with individuals in the community while explaining and enforcing laws; learn to document and communicate details and recognize hazards and crime problems; learn the applicable Federal, State, and Municipal Codes and motor vehicle codes; learn basic Police Officer standards of conduct and public relations; learn maintenance of firearms and all police related equipment; learn to think and act quickly in emergency situations; learn to assess situations accurately and to apply interpersonal skills and police training to diffuse and/or resolve stressful or potentially volatile situations.
License Requirement: Applicants must possess a California Driver's License at time of appointment.
Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
Physical: Weight proportionate to height, normal hearing and color vision; at least 20/100 vision, correctable to 20/25 (20/200 correctable to 20/25 with soft contact lenses); excellent health. Must also meet physical and psychological standards required to perform Police Officer duties.
Education: High school graduation or equivalent.
Other Requirements: No history of personal or criminal conducts which may affect suitability for employment as a Police Officer; the ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
The selection process will consist of the following:

1. Written Exam or T-Score Submission (Graded and weighted 100% for purposes of ranking on the eligibility list.)
2. Physical Agility Exam (Pass/Fail)
3. Oral Exam
4. Department Interview
5. Background Investigation
6. Polygraph
7. Medical Examination and Controlled Substances Screening
8. Psychological Evaluation

Candidates must successfully pass each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases.
Please Note: You will receive an email notification prior to the testing date to confirm your attendance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
City applications and attached Acknowledgement of Reasons for Rejection are being accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS until further notice.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.


Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $110-$222 / month.
• Specialty Assignment Pay of 2% - 6% is available for Sworn employees.
• POST Educational Incentive Pay of $396 - $656 / month is available for Sworn employees.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holiday leave is accrued at the rate of 5 hours / pay period.
• Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • Sworn employees - PERS Police Safety Formula: " Classic " members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. " New " members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 14.50% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • Non-sworn employees - PERS Miscellaneous Formula: " Classic " members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 8% of salary. " New " members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits is available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Police Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan : Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee-only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $500 / month.
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insuranc e: City-paid term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance is provided:
  
  • Sworn: $75,000
  • Non-sworn: $50,000
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their households.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is available through the Police Officers' Association.
• S hort-term Disability Insurance optional employee-paid coverage is available.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A Uniform Allowance of $863-$1,238 / year will be provided by the City.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.
• The City is also a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• The Santa Barbara Peace Officers' Association represents this classification.

Revised 12/1/2024
01


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

02



POTENTIAL REASONS FOR REJECTION:

1. Conviction of any felony.
2. Conviction of any sex crime.
3. Conviction of larceny (Section 484 PC).
4. Conviction of or involvement in any other crime, whether adult or juvenile, the nature and seriousness of which would relate to the sensitivity and exposure characterized by this job classification.
5. Use of marijuana, narcotics, or other habit-forming drugs (other than prescribed) within the last year will disqualify. Any prior use or abuse of previously listed substances may disqualify. Failure to reveal prior use will disqualify.
6. Failure to possess a valid operator's license issued by the State of California; willful disregard of traffic rules and regulations; any grounds for which an operator's license might be refused.
7. A bad employment record, including behavior that is discourteous, disloyal, indecisive, undependable, uncooperative, lacking in capacity to work, insubordinate, disobedient, lacking in force, initiative, and judgment, lacking proper work habits and industry, emotionally unstable, unable to accept responsibility, unable to get along well with others, and/or intemperate.
8. Lack of well-balanced credit.
9. Poor community and neighborhood reputation.
10. Falsification of any required application or report.
11. Failure to have a high school diploma, GED Certificate, or equivalent.
12. Personality disorders.
13. Failure to meet physical standards.
14. Failure to pass controlled substances screening.

I understand that as part of the qualifying process for POLICE OFFICER, I will have a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, a physical examination including controlled substances screening, and a thorough background investigation. I will also be required to complete a detailed personal history statement. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit my electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the APPLICANT STANDARD/REASONS FOR REJECTION listed above.

03


Were you referred to this position by a City of Santa Barbara Employee?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "yes" to #3 above, please enter the name of the employee.
Required Question