***Effective June 12, 2025, at 11:59 pm we will revise our minimum qualifications for San Diego Police Officer II.  We will begin the new recruitment process for San Diego Police Officer II on June 13, 2025, at 12:00 am.  

You can continue with this application using the CURRENT minimum qualifications (possibly allow ONE year between qualifying law enforcement jobs), or you can wait and apply/reapply on or after June 13, 2025, at 12:00 am to take advantage of the new Police Officer II minimum qualification change (possibly allow up to FIVE years between qualifying law enforcement jobs).  Please visit the City of San Diego job opportunities pages to review the minimum qualifications at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandiego?keywords=Police%20Officer.

To view the benefits and opportunities within the SDPD team or to discuss your career path with an SDPD recruiter, please visit the San Diego Police Department Recruiting Unit website at:  https://www.sandiego.gov/join-san-diego-police-department  ***

See NOTE(S) below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

JOIN THE SDPD TEAM TODAY!!!
 
Please read through the entire bulletin for important information.

Veteran friendly employer! 
You served our country and worked hard to earn your GI Bill benefits, it's time to let them work for you.   Not to worry, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) honors your service and sacrifice.  In addition to great pay and benefits, SDPD is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to train veterans and eligible persons under 38 U.S.C. 3675.   For which SDPD can certify candidates who are eligible to receive VA education benefits under the on-the job-training (OJT) program while employed by SDPD to attend a paid California POST approved Police Academy and up to a year after graduation while completing the field training program and SDPD probation period.

Do you have a strong dedication to public service? If you do, a career with the San Diego Police Department may be for you! 
 
A career with the San Diego Police Department offers excitement, rapid growth opportunities, work-life-balance, and the chance to make a positive impact in your community. As one of the nation's leaders in Community Oriented Policing, we strongly value the partnerships we have built with the diverse communities of San Diego and are looking for Officers that will uphold that tradition. Throughout your career with SDPD, you'll have the chance to follow many paths in over 70 different positions, including: Detective, SWAT, New Technologies, K9 Handler, Beach Patrol and Motor Officer, among others. SDPD offers a competitive base salary, great benefits, and many additional pay opportunities.
 
The following skills and desirable attributes exemplify what we look for in a Police Officer II: Integrity; leadership skills; excellent judgment under pressure; ability to maintain sufficient level of fitness to safely perform as a law enforcement professional; the ability to be aware of, control, and express emotions appropriately, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically;  ability to maintain confidence in uncertain situations; excellent judgment and ability to act under pressure; ability to thrive in diverse populations.
 
A San Diego Police Officer:

• Contributes to the team effort of maintaining a presence in the community that helps to deter crime and provide support to citizens
• Collaborates in building strong relationships with community members, upholding best practices of Community Oriented Policing
• Acts as a police presence at major public events to ensure public safety
• Identifies potential criminal activity or other hazardous situations and takes proper actions to protect citizens and property
• Helps to secure crime scenes and process evidence
• Responds to calls for service; Observes violations; makes arrests and citations when necessary
• Conducts criminal investigations by gathering evidence and interviewing victims and witnesses
• Documents observations and actions by radioing information; completing reports
• Fulfills court orders by testifying in court regarding criminal investigations and citations
• Maintains safe traffic conditions by monitoring and directing traffic; enforces laws and ordinances; investigates collisions; reports unsafe streets and facilities

THE TYPICAL STARTING SALARY IS $8,009.00 MONTHLY.
Police Officer II positions work under general supervision to patrol an assigned area in the enforcement of law and order and prevention of crime; respond to emergencies as directed by radio and telephone; investigate unusual or suspicious conditions, traffic accidents, and complaints; make arrests, guard prisoners, and question witnesses and suspects; issue citations; prepare evidence and testify in court; fingerprint, photograph, book, supervise, and transport prisoners; prepare reports on investigations, offenses, arrests and activities; serve criminal and civil papers; answer inquiries from the public; and perform other duties as assigned.
 
      NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increase: 4% effective 7/1/25 
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Police Officer II employees must complete the Regional Academy Training and  receive a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate within ONE year of hire.
• Police Officer II employees may work a 4 day/10-hour, rotating shift work schedule, depending on assignment.
• After one year, Police Officer II employees receive a $900 annual uniform allowance.
• Bilingual pay (3.5% of base pay) is provided to qualified officers, if skills are required.
• Additional add on pays may be available if you meet the requirements.
• Initially, Police Officer II employees will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

State Standards:
In accordance with P.O.S.T Standards, candidates must be free of any felony convictions. Candidates will be screened by the San Diego Police Department and are subject to immediate disqualification if any of the following are found during the background investigative process: domestic violence conviction(s), or if you are a registered sex offender; for additional information refer to the following link: P.O.S.T. Disqualifiers.You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.
 
AGE: 21 years of age at time of hire.
 
CITIZENSHIP: Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
 
      NOTE: 

• Candidates screened by the San Diego Police Department must present proof of legal right to work in the United States when they submit their Background Investigation Questionnaire.

EXPERIENCE:  Two years of full-time paid experience as a sworn peace officer with a city police, county sheriff, state or federal law enforcement agency performing correction duties, patrol functions, or traffic enforcement. Experience must include service with a law enforcement agency WITHIN THE LAST ONE YEAR. Time served in a training capacity as a recruit/trainee as part of a Police Academy does NOT qualify for the experience requirement.
 
EDUCATION:  You must also meet ONE of the following options:

1. Graduation from a High School located within the United States or a United States territory AND successful completion of a minimum of 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units.
2. Passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (C.H.S.P.E.) or General Education Development (G.E.D.) with scores that meet the California standard established by the American Council on Education AND successful completion of a minimum of 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units.
3. Possession of a two or four-year degree from an accredited college or university located within the United States or a United States territory. (Accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body which has been recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation).

     NOTES: 

• Applicants who lack the required college-level units may substitute additional qualifying experience for some or all of the education lacked, according to the following formula:2.5 semester/3.75 quarter college units = 1 month of experience.
• Candidates screened by the Police Department must present proof of education when they submit their Background Investigation Questionnaire.

POST CERTIFICATE:  You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. Graduation from a California P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy with a Basic Peace Officers Course Certificate.
2. Possession of a California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.
3. Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver letter dated within the last one year.

       NOTE:

• Applicants meeting the experience requirement as specified above, who lack the required California P.O.S.T. Certificate, may apply. If hired, attendance at a PAID Regional San Diego Police Academy is required to satisfy California state certification requirements. This certification is necessary to work as a Police Officer for the City of San Diego.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.
 
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION): 

• California Basic Peace Officers Course Certificate, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver letter, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.  The letter needs to be dated within the last year.
• California POST work sample test battery (WSTB) score verification report, if used to waive the physical abilities performance test.  NOTE:  The WSTB needs to be administered by an agency with staff that has completed the California POST Basic Course Physical Training Instructor training.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application.  If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center:  City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101.  Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.The screening process will consist of the following components:
 
1.  APPLICATION REVIEW: Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system.  If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met.
 
2.  PERFORMANCE TEST:  The performance test is pass/fail examination which consists of 5 different events based on the California P.O.S.T. Work Sample Test Battery and measures a variety of physical abilities necessary in police work. The test requires candidates to: a. Complete a 99 yard Obstacle Course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb height obstacles, and a 34 inch high obstacle that must be vaulted; b. Jump, step and/or climb over 6-foot fence(s); c. Partially lift and drag a 150 pound "simulated victim"; and d. Complete a 500 yard run.  Test information will be given to candidates prior to their scheduled test date.
 
3.  PERFORMANCE TEST WAIVER: You may be eligible to waive the performance test if one of the following applies to you:

• You have passed the CURRENT City of San Diego physical abilities performance test within the last TWO (2) years.
• You have taken the California POST Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) within the last six (6) months and acquired a score of 384 or higher.  NOTE:  The WSTB needs to be administered by an agency with staff that has completed the California POST Basic Course Physical Training Instructor training.
• You are currently employed as a full-time sworn Peace Officer in a California POST participating Law Enforcement Agency or an Out-of-State Law Enforcement Agency AND MUST possess at least ONE of the following California POST certificates dated within THREE years from application date:  Basic Peace Officers Course (Full Police Academy) Certificate; Basic Peace Officers Course Requalification Certificate; Basic Peace Officer Course Waiver letter; OR a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.

If your application and request for a waiver is approved, you will bypass this step and be placed on the eligible list.  NOTE:  Requests for waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on your responses to the supplemental questions on your application.
 
Candidates who pass the performance test (or are approved for a waiver) will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next one year. For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.Individuals who are placed on the eligible list and are being evaluated by the Police Department for employment, must successfully pass the following prior to hire:
 
FIREARM PROFICIENCY TEST:  This pass/fail test is conducted with a Police Department approved handgun and involves firing at a silhouette target from 3, 7, 10, and 15 yard lines with both strong and weak hands.  A minimum score of 255 out of 300 or 85% is required to pass.
 
VISION/HEARING REQUIREMENTS:
 
Vision requirements vary depending upon the corrective measures utilized.
 
1. If you