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What are the minimum requirements for police recruits?
Where do I obtain an application?
What types of questions are on the written test?
How often is the written test given?
When do I find out if I was successful in passing the
test?
What will disqualify an applicant during a background
check?
What if my juvenile records are sealed?
What about drug use, traffic citations or arrest records?
If I have a background check done with another agency;
or have a top-secret clearance in the military, will SDPD still do a background
check?
Are there any height or weight requirements?
Will I be paid more money if I have a four year degree?
Will a four year degree allow me to start as a detective?
Do I have to work the jail system prior to working
the streets?
How long will it be before I can work a specialized
assignment?
I'm an officer from out of state. Can I apply as a
lateral officer?
Is there a faster process for out of state applicants?
How do I apply as an out of state applicant?
What area does San Diego Police Department patrol?
How long does the hiring process take?
Will the hiring process be shorter for applicants
with previous law enforcement or military experience?
How long is the Police Academy?
Is the academy a live in, high stress environment?
How much running is required in the academy?
What happens when I graduate from the academy?
Will I be paid while attending the academy?
What is the salary range for new Officers?
What medical benefits are available?
What about vacation and sick time benefits?
Can my time with the military be carried over for
retirement?
Is there a minimum time commitment once I get hired?
What are the minimum requirements for police recruits?
For Police Recruit, the entry level position for the San Diego Police
Department; applicants must be at least 20 years old the day of the
written test. You must be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident alien
with an application for U.S. citizenship; and you must possess at least
a high school diploma from a US high school or a G.E.D.
Where do I obtain an application?
There are no applications to fill out prior to taking the written test.
Applications for the City of San Diego are filled out on test day. The hiring
process starts after an applicant takes and passes the written test.
What types of questions are on the written test?
The 75 question multiple choice written test covers reading and writing
skills at a high school level. Other sections include decision making, reading comprehension and checking ability. There are no study guides available
for this test.
How often is the written test given?
Three times a month. Entrance to the test is on first come first serve basis.
A maximum of 150 applicants can be tested. Applicants must bring an official
picture ID card with their photo and signature on it, and they must know
their social security number. Plan on arriving at least 30 to 60 minutes
prior to test start time.
When do I find out if I was successful in passing the test?
Within 48 hours, City personnel will telephone applicants who fail the written test. Test results will be mailed to you in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
The test is strictly pass/fail and applicants are not rated according to
test scores. If an applicant passes this test, the results are good only for
the City of San Diego; and the City does not accept other agencies passing
test scores.
What will disqualify an applicant during a background check?
Any felony convictions as a juvenile or an adult, and any misdemeanor
domestic violence convictions; will automatically disqualify an applicant.
What if my juvenile records are sealed?
Even if a juvenile record has been sealed, any felony convictions are
still disqualifying. Applicants must list all arrests and or convictions.
What about drug use, traffic citations or arrest records?
The following items: use of marijuana or any illicit drugs recently, several hazardous traffic violations, or any serious criminal offenses will be concerns when evaluating your viability. Applicants are expected to be 100% honest in these areas. All offenses will be evaluated by the Background Investigations Unit.
If I have a background check done with another agency; or have a top
secret clearance in the military, will SDPD still do a background check?
Yes. The SDPD Backgrounds Unit will conduct their own thorough background
investigation on every applicant who submits a personal history packet.
Are there any height or weight requirements?
There are no height or weight requirements. Every applicant who is processed
will be required to pass a rigorous 500 yard obstacle course which simulates
a suspect chase. They must pass the obstacle course in 3 minutes 30 seconds
or less.
Will I be paid more money if I have a four year degree?
Not initially. Two to four years after academy graduation, Officers with
a degree will see an increase in pay according to the educational incentive
pay program.
Will a four year degree allow me to start as a detective?
All new Officers will start their careers in the patrol division. Four
years after Academy graduation, Officers are eligible to apply for an investigative
position. A college degree could help obtain that position.
Do I have to work the jail system prior to working the streets?
No. San Diego Police Officers do not staff any of the jail facilities.
How long will it be before I can work a specialized assignment?
After three to four years in a patrol assignment, officers are eligible
to apply for other specialized assignments. Examples of these assignments
include; SWAT, Canine Handler, and Motor Officer.
I'm an officer from out of state. Can I apply as a lateral officer?
Yes. However, California POST requires out-of-state lateral officers to obtain a California POST Certificate. Officers who do not have a California POST Certificate will be required to attend the San Diego Regional Police Academy.
Is there a faster process for out of state applicants?
No. Applicants will be required to travel to San Diego for a minimum of
three separate trips at their expense to go through the hiring process.
That process could take 3 to 4 months to complete.
How do I apply as an out of state applicant?
Test reservation cards are available one month prior to the test date
for out of state applicants. Cards can be obtained from City Personnel or
SDPD Recruiting Unit. Test cards guarantee your seat at the test site. Out
of state applicant testing is done on a monthly basis.
What area does San Diego Police Department patrol?
The city limits of San Diego; approximately 331 square miles.
How long does the hiring process take?
The process can take approximately 3 to 4 months. There are no alternatives
to expedite this process.
Will the hiring process be shorter for applicants with previous law
enforcement or military experience?
Generally no. Previous experience may help an applicant be more competitive
in the process, but it will not shorten the process.
How long is the Police Academy?
The police academy is a six month college course. Two thirds of the academy is academics and one third of the academy is physical training.
Is the academy a live in, high stress environment?
Academy hours are generally 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday,
with recruits going home at the end of each day. It is not structured as
a high stress academy. Teamwork is highly encouraged.
How much running is required in the academy?
Recruits will be required to run at least 3 1/2 miles a day at the start
of the academy. By the end of academy training, recruits will be running
up to 7 miles a day several times a week.
What happens when I graduate from the academy?
Upon graduation, Police Recruits are promoted to Police Officers and will
be scheduled for an additional four month training program with a Field
Training Officer. Once training is complete, new officers will be assigned
to one of eight area commands. The location and work schedule will be determined
according to the needs of the Department.
Will I be paid while attending the academy?
San Diego Police Department Recruits will be paid while attending the
academy and are considered City of San Diego employees.
What is the salary range for new Officers?
Starting salary for new officers starts at approximately $3,786 a month while in the academy and will reach top step of approximately $5,957 after their
fourth year. Pay scale for ranks above patrol officer are higher depending
on rank achieved. These figures are subject to change due to new contract negotiations.
What medical benefits are available?
The City of San Diego offers a "cafeteria-style" benefits plan.
Each employee is allotted a set amount of dollars each year for individual
and family health care plans, with the employee choosing a plan to best
suits their needs.
What about vacation and sick time benefits?
Officers receive 17 to 21 days for annual leave each year depending of
length of service. Annual leave is used for both sick time and vacation
time and the number of hours accumulates each year.
Can my time with the military be carried over for retirement?
No. San Diego Police Officers are covered under the City Employees Retirement
System. Call 1-800-774-4977 for more information.
Is there a minimum time commitment once I get hired?
Currently there are no "service" contracts to sign if an applicant
is hired by the San Diego Police Department. |
