Welcome

Police Recruit – Entry level, no law enforcement experience required

Police Officer I – CA POST Certified academy graduate OR less than two years of patrol experience

Police Officer II – Two or more years of patrol experience

The San Diego Police Department will accept applications from any individual who has any of the following experience:

• Full-time paid sworn peace officer with a City Police, County Sheriff, State or Federal law enforcement agency
• Currently working as a peace officer in California
• Has prior police experience with a California law enforcement agency within the last year
• Has completed a California P.O.S.T. certified police academy within the last year
• Requirements 

Lateral applicants will be able to waive the Written Test. Lateral applicants will also be able to waive the PAT testing if they have been employed within the last year as a full-time Peace Officer AND possess a California Basic Peace Officers Course Certificate; OR California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate; OR California Basic P.O.S.T. Requalification Certificate; OR California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver letter dated within one year of applying.

Individuals with more than two years of full-time paid sworn police officer experience may apply for PO2 status. Experience must include service with a law enforcement agency within the last year. Time served in a training capacity as a recruit/trainee as part of a Police Academy does NOT qualify for the experience requirement.

NOTE: Qualified out-of-state applicants who lack the required California P.O.S.T Certificate may apply. If hired, you may be required to attend a paid Police Academy to satisfy California state certification requirements. This certification is necessary to work as a police officer for the City of San Diego.

Apply Here - Police Officer II

Graduates of a California Law Enforcement academy within the last year as an open enrollment student or individuals with less than two years of full-time paid police experience (not including academy time) with a California law enforcement agency within the last year may apply for PO1.

Apply Here - Police Officer I

If you have any questions please contact sdpdrecruiting@pd.sandiego.gov.

Background Office 619-531-2148

City of San Diego Personnel Department
1200 3rd Avenue, Suite 101A
San Diego, CA 92101-6467

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday - 8 a.m. to 5  p.m.
Phone: 619-236-6467

Hiring Process

A career in a community-oriented law enforcement agency can be yours if you want a job that offers: challenge, excitement, variety, teamwork and job satisfaction, opportunities for special assignments and career development, opportunities for rapid promotion, college credit for academy training, a flexible, cafeteria-style benefits package including health and dental coverage and tax-deferred savings plans, and an excellent retirement program.

The City has implemented a new application and testing process that streamlines the Police Applicant process. The initial step in applying for a position with the San Diego Police Department is to take the written test, which is administered by the City of San Diego's Personnel Department. To obtain a test date, go to the Personnel Department's Open Job Opportunities and fill out an online application (requires registration) for Police Recruit, Police Officer I, or Police Officer II. If you meet the minimum requirements and your online application is approved, you will be notified and given instruction on how to sign up for an available test date. The application approval process takes approximately three weeks. Refer to the First Time User Guide for assistance with online job applications.

• Step 1: Written Test
• Step 2: Physical Abilities Test and Pre-Investigative Questionnaire
• Step 3: Background Investigation
• Step 4: Polygraph Examination
• Step 5: Appointing Authority Interview
• Step 6: Psychological Evaluation
• Step 7: Medical Evaluation

• Four-Day Work Week
• 11 Paid Holidays per year
• 13-21 Days Paid Annual Leave per Year (depending on length of service)
• Yearly Uniform Allowance - $900 (additional allowance for specialized units)
• Flexible Benefits Plan (Includes Health, Dental, Vision)
• Excellent Retirement Program - 3% at 55
• 401K/Deferred Compensation Plans available
• Tuition Reimbursement - $2,000 per year
• 30 Days Paid Military Leave per Year

• 2nd Watch – 3.8%
• 3rd Watch – 5.3 %

• Intermediate POST – 6%
• Advanced POST – 8.5%

• Bilingual – 3.5%
• Community Relations Officer – 3.5%
• Field Training Officer – 10%
• SWAT Officer – 3.5%
• SWAT Sniper – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle)
• Emergency Negotiator – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle while on-call)
• Motor Officer – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle)
• Accident Investigation Bureau – 4% (plus take-home vehicle while on-call)
• Canine Unit – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle)
• Harbor Unit – 4%
• In-Service Training – 3.5%
• Longevity Pay – 5%
• Detective – 5% (plus take-home vehicle while on-call)
• Flight Pay – 15%

For further information, visit SD Police Home Loan Program.

For the latest salary information, visit the City of San Diego Personnel Department Salary Table.

• Chief of Police
• Assistant Police Chief
• Police Captain
• Police Lieutenant
• Police Sergeant
• Community Relations Assistant to the Chief of Police
• Detective
• Police Officer III
• Police Officer II
• Police Officer I
• Police Recruit (entry-level)