Police Recruit

Police Recruit

The Menlo Park Police Department demands the highest level of professionalism from its employees. We maintain that employee contact with the public should inspire respect and generate cooperation and approval from the public we serve.

The Menlo Park Police Department strives to provide the best possible police services. For more than 80 years, our department has worked hard every day to protect those who live, work and visit the City of Menlo Park. We achieve this through crime suppression and problem solving, crime analysis and development of crime prevention strategies.

The City of Menlo Park is currently accepting applications from motivated individuals who can meet the challenge of a fast-paced multitasking environment. Successful Police Recruit candidates will actively participate in the P.O.S.T. (Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) prescribed police academy training program. Upon successful completion of the academy program, incumbents of this non-sworn temporary classification may be appointed to the sworn classification of Police Officer.

The ideal candidates will exemplify the highest level of professionalism and interest in community service, while understanding their duty to carry out law enforcement activities; display a cooperative spirit and inspire others; show commitment to professional development; and emanate pride, dedication, and passion for protecting lives and property of those who live, work, and visit the City of Menlo Park.

As a Police Recruit, the successful candidate studies, attends classes, completes homework assignments, takes tests, and follows all instructions relative to the academy curriculum and behavior; becomes proficient in the following areas: criminal law, arrest and control techniques, use of firearms, report writing, vehicle operation, First Aid, CPR, narcotics, crowd control, court room demeanor, public relations, patrol procedures, physical conditioning and training, and any other subjects included in the academy.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least twenty and one half (20.5) years of age at time of appointment.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent. Additional education at the college level is preferred.
• Valid California Driver's License

California Government Code Section 1031 (a) requires that Police Officers be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship. Review the following website for additional government code minimum standards:

Candidates must have already achieved acceptable results on the PELLETB and WSTB exams. You must attach BOTH results to your application.

Candidates with bilingual skills, recent public agency experience, or volunteerism in the public safety field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employees in the Police Recruit classification may elect to participate in group medical coverage and accrue eight hours of sick leave per month. Upon successful completion of the Academy, Police Recruits are appointed to the full-time benefitted position of Police Officer.

Police Officer benefits are described in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Menlo Park Police Officers' Association and the City of Menlo Park, located on our website at