Recruitment

The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe.

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1. POST Reading Comprehension Exam & POST Physical Agility Test (WSTB): Prior to applying, all applicants shall complete both of these California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) examinations. The minimum score for the physical agility test which is 384 or higher and 15-minute maximum time for the 1.5 mile run.Test are administered at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium at 560 Bailey Avenue in San Jose. You may register for the examinations online by visiting The Academy's website. We accept T-scores and physical agility test results from all California agencies, as long as they are the same as the tests given at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium and they are no more than a year old. Please contact the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium directly for questions about these examinations. (Note: lateral applicants and recent academy graduates need not complete these tests)
2. Oral Interview Panel
3. Background Investigation (includes a polygraph examination)
4. Interview with Police Chief
5. Psychological Examination
6. Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

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• The salary for Police Officer Trainees is $6,684 per month. The salary range for Police Officers is $7,552 to $11,158 per month.
• 5% additional pay for each of the following: Investigations, Motors, Field Training Officer, and bilingual
• 2.5% night differential
• Education incentives 2.5% AA 5% for BS, BA
• 2.5% additional pay for an Intermediate POST certificate, and 5% additional pay for an Advanced POST certificate (certificates are earned based on years of service and level of education)
• 4.5% retention pay for ten years of law enforcement service; an additional 4% for 15 years with SCPD additional 2% at 20 years with SCPD
• Patrol work schedule: rotating 4/10 plan (11-hour shifts; four days on-duty, then four days off-duty)
• All uniforms and equipment provided, including free ongoing dry cleaning of uniforms
• Top-quality health coverage for you and your dependents
• Fully-paid dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance policy
• 112 hours of paid holidays annually
• Two to four weeks of vacation annually, based on years of service
• 3%@55 PERS retirement for Classic Safety (2.7%@57 PERS retirement for all other safety)
• Generous retirement health coverage for the officer, based on years of service

Hiring Bonus

For the purpose of this hiring incentive, new Lateral POs are defined as POs currently employed by a law enforcement agency who have successfully completed a probationary period of at least twelve (12) months.

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1. POST Reading Comprehension Exam & POST Physical Agility Test (WSTB): Community Service Officer applicant must be at least 18 years of age. Prior to applying, all applicants shall complete both of these California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) examinations. Santa Cruz PD applicants must receive a 46 or higher. Test are administered at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium at 560 Bailey Avenue in San Jose. You may register for the examinations online by visiting The Academy's website. We accept T-scores and physical agility test results from all California agencies, as long as they are the same as the tests given at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium and they are no more than a year old. Please contact the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium directly for questions about these examinations. (Note: lateral applicants and recent academy graduates need not complete these tests)
2. Oral Interview Panel
3. Background Investigation (includes a polygraph examination)
4. Interview with Police Chief
5. Psychological Examination
6. Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

Apply Now

• Make $4,431.00 - $6,874.00 Monthly for a Community Service Officer
• 5% additional for bilingual pay
• All uniforms and equipment provided, including free ongoing dry cleaning of uniforms
• Top-quality health coverage for you and your dependents
• Fully-paid dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance policy
• 112 hours of paid holidays annually
• Two to four weeks of vacation annually, based on years of service
• 3%@55 PERS retirement for Classic Safety (2.7%@57 PERS retirement for all other safety)

Hiring Bonus:

For the purpose of this hiring incentive, new Lateral POs are defined as POs currently employed by a law enforcement agency who have successfully completed a probationary period of at least twelve (12) months.

Apply Now