Make A Difference In Your Community
Becoming a police officer offers the opportunity to make an impact on your community, both at large and personally. Being a police officer can improve quality of life by responding promptly to emergency situations keeping children safe when crossing the street or providing reassurance for citizens after home break-ins.
In addition, being in this profession puts you in a unique position to have everyday opportunities which could lead to profound differences depending on how they are handled: whether it be throwing away garbage for someone with one arm saving them from drowning or helping them find their lost dog.
Data Security And Integrity
We implement physical, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and security, prevent unauthorized access, and facilitate correct use of personal information. These safeguards include limiting access to data, storing personal information on secure servers and computers, encrypting personal information at rest and in transit, periodically testing our security technology, and training our employees in information security.
In addition, we seek to maintain contractual data security, confidentiality, and privacy obligations with our partners and vendors, and our employees that have access to personal information are subject to access, use, and confidentiality policies. Only authorized employees with a reasonable need related to their job duties have access to Customer and job seeker personal information. Employees who violate our policies are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Although we maintain the controls listed herein, transmission of data is not without risk and we complete security of your information cannot be guaranteed. Please note, you are responsible for keeping your username and password secret at all times.
In the event we believe the security of your personal information in our possession or control may be compromised, we may seek to notify you by e-mail and you consent to our use of e-mail as a means of such notification.
Lateral Police Officer Eligibility Requirements
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How Much Does It Pay
According to the most recent occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and sheriff’s patrol officers in California make an average salary of $107,440 per year.
And even though California is one of the most expensive states to live in, the state makes up for that by offering the highest pay to police officers in the country. In fact, cops in California make nearly 60% more than the national average police salary of $67,290.
For a look at some of the police officer jobs currently available in California, visit our careers page. You can also check out POST listings here.
This article, originally published May 2018, has been updated.
Do you think you have what it takes to be a cop? Download a veteran police officer’s list of the 10 questions you need to ask yourself before starting a career in law enforcement by filling out the form below:
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER
How To Become A Police Officer In California

California is in need of LEOs, and with a total of 509 law enforcement agencies in the state, there are plenty of places to choose from
The Police1 How to Become a Police Officer special coverage series covers everything you need to know about launching a new career in law enforcement from finding the right agency to work for and making it through the application process all the way to successfully navigating your rookie years, and beyond. Start your journey today by clicking the link above.
It doesnt get much better than the Golden State. From the stunning sequoias in Yosemite to the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica, California truly has something for everyone.
And like most of the country, California is in need of police officers with a total of 509 law enforcement agencies in the state, there are plenty of places to choose from. Here’s how to become a police officer in California.
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What Is One Interesting Case That You Worked And How Did Your Role In It Help Deliver A Positive Outcome
As a motor officer, I am also a collision reconstructionist. I have over 600 hours of collision investigation. I can tell you the speed of a vehicle based on a number of factors: how far the pedestrian flew when the vehicle hit him/her, tire friction marks, the amount of damage to a vehicle, etc.
I have been the lead investigator on a number of fatal collisions. The most recent involved the death of a 17-year-old male. Sadly, part of my role was to attend the autopsy. It was not my first and I dont anticipate it being my last. One of the hardest parts of my job is compartmentalizing the emotions in dealing with tragedy.
That being said, however, I am part of a stellar team and using all of our experiences, we were able to confirm the vehicles speed at well over twice the speed limit. Fatal collisions are very time-intensive, so three weeks was taken up by the investigation however, it led to a filing with the District Attorney for a charge of vehicular manslaughter.
What Are The Minimum Requirements For Ontario Police Officer Applicants In Ontario
Before applying, ensure that you meet the minimum requirements. The following list of application requirements applies to most police agencies in Ontario:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Fluency in English
- Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Valid current standard first aid / CPR C certification
- Class G drivers license, full driving privileges, and a maximum of 6 demerit points
- No criminal convictions which have not been pardoned and no criminal charges pending
In addition to the above, the Toronto Police Service requires candidates to meet the following requirements:
- Possess a valid O.A.C.P. certificate,
- Be able to pass a security clearance as well as a background investigation, credit check, and reference check.
Willingness to serve anywhere in the province is an additional requirement for those applying to the Ontario Provincial Police.
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Your Nevada Privacy Rights
A sale under Nevada law is the exchange of personal information for monetary consideration. We do not currently sell personal information as defined under Nevada law. If you want to submit a request relating to our compliance with Nevada law, please contact us as at and include the words Nevada Rights in the subject line.
Preparing For The Physical Abilities Test
To get ready for the physical abilities test, applicants might want to consult these resources:
- How to Train for the Police Physical Test Study these exercises to prepare for the physical portion of a police officer test
- How to Prepare for Police Academy Read this article about the basic lifestyle changes that can make you more fit for academy enrollment.
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For Those Just Entering The Law Enforcement Field What Advice Would You Give What Challenges Might They Face
Study, study, study. Flashcards are your friend. Go on as many ride-a-longs you can. Learn to be a leader. The public will look to you for leadershipand so will your partners.
You will be tempted to take shortcuts. Do. Not. Take. Them. You will dishonor yourself, your department, and the rest of us. Do your job to its completion and to the best of your ability.
Career And Employment Outlook For Cops In Irvine
Selecting a profession is a significant decision. One of the key elements to contemplate while doing so is the prospect of that career. The career outlook of all professions is typically furnished by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The factors that come into play while predicting this include the future need for that profession and the spending nature of the employers. We shall now take a look at the occupational outlook of a law enforcement officer.
As of 2014, there were about 806,000 jobs held by police officers. It is predicted that this will grow by 4% in the following decade. This rate of expansion is more lethargic than the median of other professions. This translates to 33,000 novel openings being produced for cops in the next ten years. Seeing that law enforcement officers are for the most part hired by the legislature, their employment to a great extent relies on upon the political circumstance in a district. A few cities might desire to allocate more of their budget to cops but others might funnel more of their finances into other types of development.
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What Is The Employment Process
From there, the employment process to become a police officer in California is:
- Submit an application.
- You must pass a number of background checks that may include a polygraph. “Past behavior will be closely scrutinized,” reads the LAPD recruitment website, “and only candidates with the highest probability of success will be appointed as Police Officers.”
- Undergo a medical exam.
- Some counties also require a Personal Qualifications Essay . In Los Angeles, a score of over 70 is required to be added to a list of qualified candidates. You may re-take this test again in 6 months if you dont get a high enough score.
It can take anywhere between six months to a year to complete the hiring process.
Positions In The Garden Grove Police Department

Police Recruit
Salary: $28.30 HourlyCandidates who are successful in the selection process will be hired in a non-sworn capacity as a police recruit and placed in a California POST-approved Basic Academy.
Police Recruit Academy Enrolled
Applicants must be enrolled in a California POST-approved Basic Academy.
Police Officer Academy Trained
Applicants must have completed a California POST-approved Basic Academy or possess a valid POST certificate.
Lateral Police Officer
Salary: $76,608 $112,104 AnnuallyMust possess a California POST Basic certificate. Candidates from outside the State of California may be considered if they complete the California POST Basic Course waiver process.
Reserve Police Officer Level I, II, III
Salary: $20.10 $25.50 HourlyLevel I: Duties include performing a variety of peace officer duties in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, crime prevention, and suppression.Level II: Provide general law enforcement and support duties.Level III: Are career reserves. Must have the skills, expertise, trade, or profession that would benefit the police department.
Public Safety Dispatcher
Salary: $60,624 $89,568 AnnuallySend out personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service based on information secured from incoming calls and according to established procedures.
Community Service Officer
Enter information and data, and process and maintain police department records and files.
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Contacting And Applying At Your Local Department
Our Use Of Your Information
We collect and process information in order to fulfill our contractual responsibility to deliver the Services, fulfill your requests, pursue our legitimate interests and our business and commercial purposes. Your information will only be collected and used for purposes stated herein, where you provide additional consent, or as required by law or regulation – including national security or law enforcement requirements. Our purposes for using your information, including over the past year, consist of the following:
We also use your information with your consent, including the following:
- make personalized recommendations of content and features
- to help others find your profile and make your profile viewable by potential employers and transfer your job applications to employers
- communicate with you and send you information as part of the Services regarding your requests for information, contests you entered into, newsletters and surveys, significant updates to the Services or policies, as well as relevant notifications regarding your account or job application, or the status of your background check or assessment. Please note, you cannot opt-out of receiving service messages from us, including security and legal notices.
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Police Officer Salaries Across The Us
Salaries of police officers are based on many factors, including experience, skills and training. However, one of the most important factors is based on geography. Certain areas of the country pay more, but are often in areas that have higher costs of living. For more information about what police officers can make and where they can make it, check out the map below.
S To Become Police Officer In San Diego California
With over one million residents, San Diego is Californias second largest city. San Diego police jobs are vital to the safety and security of this vastly populated area. Becoming a police officer in San Diego is a long process, with professional rewards that make it well worth it in the end.
If you wish to know how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in San Diego, read on for more information on these steps:
Step 1. Meet the Basic Prerequisites for San Diego Police Recruit Candidacy
You must meet a few fundamental prerequisites before making the decision to apply for San Diego police jobs. They are:
- U.S. citizenship
- Age of at least 20 on the day you take the written exam and 21 when you graduate from the Police Academy
- High school diploma/GED
- Valid California Class C drivers license
- Original typing certificate verifying that you can type at least 30 words per minute
Apply online for an open position as a Police Recruit if you meet the prerequisites above. It may take three weeks for the City of San Diegos Personnel Department to approve your application and contact you for the next step in the hiring process.
Step 2. Pass a Written Examination and Physical Abilities Test
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You Must Be At Least 21 Years Old
You must be at least 21 years old to begin the process of getting licensed in California. In addition to completing the mandatory training, you must also undergo a background check and drug test. Some states require you to be a U.S. citizen to become an officer. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have an immigrant visa to become a peace officer.
The amount of training you get will depend on several factors such as your job field, your education and your age, and your experience as a police officer. Each police department in California has its own set of regulations regarding officer training and licensing.
What Do You Need To Become A Police Constable In Toronto
Officer candidates follow a detailed application and training process to become police constables with TPS. Once hired, new recruits attend the Ontario Police College for Basic Constable Training. You need to meet the following minimum requirements to become a Police Constable in Toronto:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
- Be at least 18 years of age,
- Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to your own safety and the safety of members of the public,
- Have successfully completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent. . Where education has been completed outside Ontario, official proof of equivalency must be obtained,
- Be of good moral character and habits, meaning that you are an individual other people would look upon as being trustworthy and having integrity.
In addition, you must:
- Have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted,
- Possess a valid drivers license with no more than six accumulated demerit points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario with full driving privileges,
- Have current certification in CPR and first aid by the time the offer of employment is given,
- Possess a valid O.A.C.P. certificate,
- Have a minimum of 20/40 vision, with normal colour acuity,
- Successfully pass the hearing standards as outlined by the O.A.C.P.,
- Be able to pass a security clearance as well as a background investigation, credit and reference checks.
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Minimum Requirements To Be A Police Officer In California
Must successfully complete a minimum of sixteen hours of CLEST certified training annually, to include firearms qualification and Racial Profiling. All individuals vested with the powers of a peace officer must meet state minimum selection standards, whether they are applying to be a highway patrol officer, insurance fraud investigator, part-time reserve officer, or any one of hundreds of classifications of peace officer. To be a peace officer in California, at a minimum you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for citizenship (Note: CHP officers must be U.S. citizens at the time of appointment
- Have a U.S. high school diploma, GED certificate, or high school equivalency certificate, or a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved college/university
- Be free of any felony conviction or certain misdemeanor convictions that are disqualifying
- Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
- Be free of any physical, emotional, or mental conditions that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.