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Police

Police Officer

As a San Diego Police Officer, you'll be working in a city with an unmatched variety of recreation, entertainment and lifestyle.

The City of San Diego, with a population of over 1 million, is located on the southwest tip of California. San Diego, which is California's second largest city in population, is located 17 miles from Tijuana, Mexico, and 125 miles from Los Angeles. San Diego has a mild climate with an abundance of scenic beauty, including beaches, lakes, mountain ranges and deserts. San Diego Police Department maintains high expectations of its officers, making it a very professional department.

Once a member of the San Diego Police Department, career opportunities will open up as you never thought possible.

Training

The San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Center, located on the Miramar College campus, conducts a 25-week college level training program (Academy) for which you will earn 27.5 college semester units. As a Police Recruit, you will attend classroom lectures/demonstrations, read textbooks, laws, court cases and articles dealing with law enforcement.

You will be required to complete homework, write reports and take and pass examinations on course materials. Academy subjects include principles of law enforcement, criminal law, rules and evidence, search and seizure, laws of arrest and control methods, traffic laws, juvenile laws, first aid, care and use of firearms, patrol theory/methods, the criminal justice system, physical conditioning and self-defense. You will also complete six weeks of field training while attending the Academy.

If you satisfactorily complete the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Center (Academy), you will attain the rank of Police Officer I at graduation. Your first assignment will be in the Patrol Division where you will work under the guidance of an experienced Field Training Officer (FTO) during the 12-week Field Training Program.

 

If you have additional questions about San Diego Police Department Recruiting, see the Frequently Asked Questions, call 619-531-COPS (2677) or email sdpdrecruiting@pd.sandiego.gov.

If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

To access 9-1-1 from a cell phone or outside San Diego, dial 619-531-2065.

For 24-hour non-emergencies, dial 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154.