Applications

Police Dispatcher and Police 911 Dispatcher applicants must submit an application to City Personnel. Applications are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 1200 Third Avenue, Suite 101-A, San Diego. Applications are also available at the San Diego Police Department located at 1401 Broadway St., San Diego or by calling Communications Recruiter Candi Hoff at (619) 533-5789.

Once City Personnel has approved the employment application, the candidate is notified by mail of the time, date, and place to report for the entry-level computerized test battery. The San Diego Police Department’s computerized testing product, CritiCall, will take approximately two and one half hours to complete.

Interview

Each of the departments hiring from the eligibility list conduct their own interviews for the positions they have available.  Police Communications’ Staff Supervisor, at the direction of the Program Manager, generally schedules interviews two to four weeks after candidates successfully complete the CritiCall test. 

The interview is approximately 30 minutes, however, candidates may be asked to complete a Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ) as part of the background process.  Candidates should allow two to three hours to complete the PIQ.

Background Investigation

Candidates continuing through the process will be:

• Scheduled for an in-depth interview with a SDPD background investigator, who contacts current and prior employers, relatives, references, and checks and verifies employment and credit history, driving record, moral character and other pertinent information.  
• Required to pass a polygraph examination as well as a fingerprint check through the FBI and Department of Justice.
• Be required to pass a City medical examination.   

At the successful completion of all requirements, the SDPD Staff Supervisor at the direction of the Program Manager will contact the candidate and issue a hire date.