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SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT 1401 BROADWAY SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92101 6195312000
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Updated: August 14, 2024
Classification: Police Officer (Recruit Level)
The City of San Diego continuously accepts applications for Police Officer (Recruit Level).
Our online application system is provided by NEOGOV. Click on the link below to review the recruitment bulletin and apply. You may be required to copy the link and paste it into your browser. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandiego/jobs/4245092/police-officer-recruit-level?keywords=Police%20Officer&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Written Examination. Applicants need to pass the City of San Diego’s custom validated multiple choice written exam. The examination is free and needs to be taken in-person in San Diego, California. There are five options available for candidates to satisfy (waive) the written examination requirement:
· Candidates could waive the examination requirement if they took the California POST PELLET-B examination within six months of applying and earned a T-Score of 42 or higher in each of the following examination sections; reading, writing and overall examination.
· Candidates could waive the examination requirement if they possess an associate’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America).
· Candidates could waive the examination requirement if they graduated from a California P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy with a Peace Officer's Course Certificate.
· Candidates could waive the examination requirement if they possess a California P.O.S.T. basic Peace officer's certificate.
· Candidates could waive the examination requirement if they have taken the NTN’s law enforcement examination within the last six (6) months and acquired scores of 55 on the video examination, 65 on the reading examination, 65 on the writing examination and have completed both parts of the public safety self-assessment (PSSA) examination.
If you decide to satisfy the City of San Diego’s written exam requirement by taking the NTN law enforcement examination, you will need to establish an account with NTN and a fee will be required to take the NTN law enforcement written examination. NTN offers both in-person and virtual examination.
· If you wish to transfer your scores to the City of San Diego but are not able to locate The City on your account, please contact the NTN support team at 206-428-3265 for assistance.
· If you have problems scheduling the examination, the email for NTN Customer Support is: support@nationalexaminationingnetwork.com
The Position
Police Officer (Recruit Level) employees attend the Police Academy classroom lectures on subjects including criminal law, laws of arrest, traffic laws, juvenile law, principles of law enforcement, rules of evidence, rules of search and seizure, patrol theory and methods, and report writing; observe demonstrations on arrest and control methods and the care and use of firearms; participate in physical conditioning and self-defense exercises; practice the use of firearms; and take examinations.
Minimum Requirements for Application
Education: You must meet ONE of the following options:
1. Graduation from a public high school located within the United States.
2. Graduation from an accredited nonpublic high school located within the United States.
3. Graduation from a United States Department of Defense high school.
4. Passage of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) examination or passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination.
5. Possession of a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America).
Age: 20 years of age on the date you apply; 21 years by date of Academy graduation.
Driver's License: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.
Citizenship: Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
Application and screening process if you decide to satisfy the City of San Diego’s written exam requirement by taking the NTN law enforcement examination.
Step 1: Contact a SDPD recruiter.
1a. SDPD recruiters can help in navigating the application and screening process. Visit SDPD’s recruitment site at https://www.sandiego.gov/join-san-diego-police-department
Step 2: Self-Schedule an NTN written exam. Review NTN’s examination process by visiting: https://www.nationalexaminationingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/exams.cfm
Then, go to the “written exams” section, then “Law Enforcement Jobs”, and the San Diego Police Department within NTN.
2a. The In-Person NTN written examination is scheduled to be administered on various days and locations. To sign up for the examination, visit the NTN website at: https://www.nationalexaminationingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/examinationing-process.cfm
2b. You can also complete the NTN written examination virtually. Please review the Virtual Examination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at: https://www.nationalexaminationingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/index.cfm?mode=page/faq-virtual-examinationing.
Step 3: Submit Application – Online Application Only
3a. Our online application system is provided by NEOGOV. Click on the link below to apply. You may be required to copy the link and paste it into your browser.To review the recruitment bulletin and apply visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandiego/jobs/4245092/police-officer-recruit-level?keywords=Police%20Officer%20(recruit%20Level)&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Once a candidate has submitted an online application via NEOGOV, any changes to contact information (name, address, phone number, etc.) should be updated immediately. To change your NEOGOV account contact information please refer to the following link (specifically the FAQ – account information section): https://www.sandiego.gov/empopp/faq#q3
3b. Request a written exam waiver, by answering supplemental question number 12 accordingly. Please note that requests for waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Select a written exam date for the custom validated City of San Diego written exam in question 13. If your waiver is approved your scheduled exam date will be cancelled.
· Ensure to attach your NTN law enforcement written exam score report to your application to substantiate your request for a waiver.
Step 4: Physical Abilities Test (PAT). Applicants who pass the custom validated City of San Diego written exam or are granted a waiver, need to pass the City of San Diego’s custom validated PAT. The PAT is free and needs to be taken in-person in San Diego, California. There are two options available for candidates to satisfy (waive) the PAT requirement.
· Candidates could waive the PAT requirement if they passed the City of San Diego custom validated PAT within the last TWO (2) years from date of application.
· Candidates could waive the PAT if they have taken the California POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) within the last six (6) months from date of application and acquired a score of 384 or above. Note that the WSTB needs to be administered by an agency with staff that has completed the California POST Basic Course Physical Training Instructor training.
4a. Request a Physical Abilities Test (PAT) waiver, by answering supplemental question number 14 accordingly. Please note that requests for waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
· Ensure to attach your California POST WSTB score report to your application to substantiate your request. The score report must include your name, the agency, that the California POST WSTB was administered by an agency with staff that has completed the California POST Basic Course Physical Training Instructor training.
· You can research the closest California POST Police Academy to you. Then reach out to see if they can administer the WSTB as described above. You can find a list of California POST approved academies here: https://post.ca.gov/basic-training-academies.
Step 5: Eligibility list. Candidates who pass the written test and performance test (or are granted waivers) will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next two years. For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
Step 6: Background Investigation. The Police Department will conduct a thorough investigation of your background. You will be requested to authorize organizations and individuals who know you, to release and verify relevant information about you. The Background Investigator will contact prior employers, relatives, and references. Information provided during these contacts may result in other individuals being contacted. The investigator will check into your employment history, credit status, driving record and other pertinent information. A criminal history check will also be made. Next, you will be scheduled for an in-depth background interview with the Police Department Investigator. During this appointment, you will be fingerprinted.
Personal History Statement will be provided to candidates who pass the PAT by an SDPD background investigator after the PAT is administered. You can review the "Personal History Statement form” and additional forms which will be required as part of the background investigation by visiting: https://www.sandiego.gov/police/recruiting/join/recbackground.
· The Personal History Statement will not be turned in until you receive a phone call or an email from a Background investigator.
o Additional instructions will be given the day of the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire, which is same day you are scheduled for the PAT.
o The Personal History Statement and packet must be returned no later than 10 business days from when directed. Additional instructions will be given to you by your Background Investigator.
· 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.
