FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICER POSITIONS
CURRENT OPENINGS
Use this link to check and see what application process are currently open. Please read this page in its entirety before attempting to apply.
Requirements to Apply
What are the basic minimum requirements to apply for Lateral and Entry Level Police Officer?
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Completion of sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of academic level course work at an accredited college or university with no experience required; or
Completion of thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of academic level courses at an accredited college or university and two (2) years full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department.
PHYSICAL AGILITY AND WRITTEN TESTS
SEE BELOW ⬇
LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license at time of appointment.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, applicants must, under Federal law, be legally authorized to work in the United States.
PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be at least 20 years of age at time of application filing and 21 years of age at time of job appointment.
Must possess the strength and physical ability necessary to perform the essential functions of the position of Police Officer; and
Must be willing to be fingerprinted.
VISION REQUIREMENTS
Hearing, speech, and mental capabilities sufficient to perform all the essential functions of the position of Police Officer.
Vision including color, night, depth, and peripheral vision sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position of Police Officer;
Visual acuity of not less than 20/80 vision in each eye uncorrected and corrected to 20/30 in each eye.
EXCEPTION: Applicants with correction afforded by soft contact lenses are exempt from the minimum uncorrected vision standard of 20/80, provided their corrected vision is 20/30 in each eye.
Should I apply for Recruit Police Officer or Lateral Police Officer?
If you meet both of these requirements, then you should apply for Lateral Police Officer:
You successfully completed a California POST Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
You have at least two years of recent experience with a police or sheriff’s department, state police or highway patrol.
All others, including California academy graduates without 2 years’ experience and experienced police officers from out of state should apply for Recruit Police Officer. Note, that California academy graduates will not have to attend the police academy again and instead will enter our Field Training Program once hired.
I am an out of state police officer. Will I have to go to the academy again?
Yes, because California does not offer any type of reciprocity or challenge process. For example, if you are currently a police officer in New York, you would not qualify as a lateral officer for our purposes. We define lateral officers as those applicants who have “graduated from a California POST academy and have 2 years recent law enforcement experience.” As a Non-California officer you would therefore need to apply as an entry-level police officer. If hired, you would be sent to the 6-month police academy and then to our field training program.
Do I need to take the physical agility test and written test prior to applying?
If you are applying for the Recruit Police Officer position:
You must complete a written test and can choose either the PELLET-B (POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery) exam or the National Testing Network Test Frontline Test. In order to be considered eligible, you must receive a T-score of at least 50 on the PELLET-B or the following scores on the NTN Frontline Test: 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing. You must submit proof of your score on either test with your application.
We consider your PELLET-B or NTN score to be valid for a period of 1 year from the date you took the test. If you took the test before that, you must retake the test and submit your new score.
You must submit also pass the physical agility test known as the WSTB test and receive at least a score of 320. Please take the WSTB test and submit proof of completion with your application.
We consider your WSTB score to be valid for a period of 1 year from the date you took the test. If you took the test before that, you must retake the test and submit your new score.
We do not require the 1.5 mile run as part of our application process. However, please be forewarned that you will be doing a lot of running in the police academy.
If you qualify for our definition of a Lateral Police Officer, you do not need to take the written test nor the physical test. We waive the requirement to take those tests for lateral applicants. If you are a California POST Academy graduate who doesn’t qualify to apply for the Lateral Officer position, you must take the physical agility and written test again before applying for the Recruit Police Officer position.
Can I still apply even though I have not yet taken the PELLET-B or NTN test?
No. Please comply with the directions listed above and then apply.
Can I still apply even though I have not yet taken the WSTB physical agility test?
No. Please comply with the directions listed above and then apply.
How can I prepare for the written and physical tests?
Please refer to the following links for assistance in preparing for the exams:
POST PELLET-B and WSTB:
https://post.ca.gov/LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs
https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests
NTN: https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ntn-test-law.cfm
Where can I register to take the tests?
There are a variety of facilities offering these tests, but applicants often use the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium. You can find more information here.
Do I have to attach a resume with my application?
No.
Do I have to be a United States citizen to be a California law enforcement officer?
In accordance with Government Code Section 1031, to be appointed as a peace officer in California, you must be eligible to work in the United States as authorized by Federal law. For more information, click here.
Application Process
What is the process to become hired?
The first step is for you to conduct research into both becoming a police officer and doing so with our agency. This is a career unlike any other. The hiring process and a successful career in law enforcement will require an incredibly amount of perseverance and dedication, so make sure you are committed.
Next, we recommend subscribing to be notified when an application period has begun. Click here to find the position you are interested and see whether it is presently open, or you need to subscribe.
After you apply, your application will be reviewed to make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Those applicants who do will be invited to participate in the oral interview process.
Those applicants who ranked highest in the oral interview process will be sent a Personal History Statement (PHS) to complete. From there, the best candidates will move on to the background process.
Near the end of the background process, conditional job offers will be issued to those who are successful. Applicants then proceed to the polygraph and psychological examination.
The final steps are a second interview with the Chief of Police and a medical exam.
How long does it take to get hired?
The average time from date of application until date of hire is 4-6 months.
Is there a condensed or accelerated process for out of the area applicants?
No.
How long does the background investigation take?
We conduct thorough background investigations and typically conduct interviews in person, versus over the phone. We try to complete the investigation in 8 weeks, but it may be quicker or take longer depending on the applicant.
What is your drug policy?
We do not publicly advertise our drug policy. In general terms, we are looking for candidates who demonstrate maturity and the ability to make good decisions to a level that is commensurate with the responsibilities of being a police officer.
As an applicant, can I go on a ride-a-long?
In order to minimize the strain on our Patrol Division, we typically wait until you have moved forward in the hiring process before scheduling you for a ride-a-long. The fact that you have not been on a ride-a-long will not be counted against you during the hiring process. If you advance in the process, our Hiring/Recruiting Team will schedule you for a ride-a-long.
Retirement
What is your retirement formula for police officers?
We use the CALPERS retirement system exclusively. All new employees hired as Recruit Police Officers will be on a 2.7% @ 57 retirement formula. You will contribute 10.5% of your salary towards your retirement and the City will pay 49.45%. All Lateral Police Officers will be on the same system unless you are a “Classic PERS employees” (those who became members of CALPERS on or before December 31, 2012). If so, you will be “grandfathered-in” to our 3% @ 50 retirement formula. You will pay 11.25% of your salary towards your retirement and the City will pay 49.45%.
Salary
How much are Santa Clara Police Officers paid?
If you are hired to be a police officer and have not yet graduated a California POST Basic Academy, you will be first classified as a Recruit Police Officer while you attend the academy. During the academy, your salary will be $50.50/hour. After graduating the academy, you will be reclassified as a Police Officer. We have seven salary steps for Police Officers. New Police Officers will begin at Step 1 meaning you will be paid $68.61/hour which is $131,304/year. Every year, on the anniversary of your hire date, you will receive a step increase up to Step 5.
Those who qualify as a lateral police officer (graduation from a California POST academy and 2 years recent California law enforcement experience) will negotiate their starting salary step from steps 1 through 5. When considering what salary step a lateral officer qualifies for, our Hiring staff consider the officer’s tenure as a police officer, current salary, prior training, and experience.
What are the different salary steps for Santa Clara Police Officers?
Our officers are paid 1 of 7 different salary steps. As a new officer, you will receive a step increase every year until you reach Step 5. After that, you will receive an increase to Step 6 after 10 years of service with the Department, and Step 7 after 15 years. Here are the current salary steps for Police Officers.
Step 1 $68.61/hr
Step 2 $72.01/hr
Step 3 $75.63/hr
Step 4 $79.41/hr
Step 5 $83.37/hr
Step 6 $85.47/hr
Step 7 $87.55/hr
What other salary incentives do Santa Clara Police Officers receive?
Our generous compensation packages provide our officers several ways to earn a higher salary.
Base Salary: As a Santa Clara Police Officer, you will receive an annual salary step increase every year for your first five years until you reach Step 5.
POST Intermediate and Advanced Pay: Once you receive your POST Intermediate Certificate, you will receive a 3.75% of your base pay. Once you receive your POST Advanced Certificate, you will receive an additional 3.75% of your base pay.
You can earn your POST Intermediate Certificate by satisfying one of the following eligibility combinations:
Units Experience Training Points
Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years plus 0
Associate Degree and 4 years plus 0
45 educational units and 4 years plus 45
30 educational units and 6 years plus 30
15 educational units and 8 years plus 15
You can earn your POST Advanced Certificate by satisfying one of the following eligibility combinations:
Units Experience Training Points
Master’s Degree and 4 years plus 0
Bachelor’s Degree and 6 years plus 0
Associate Degree and 9 years plus 0
45 educational units and 9 years plus 45
30 educational units and 12 years plus 30
*One college semester unit equals one education unit. One college quarter unit equals two-thirds of an education unit. For more information on the certificate requirements, click here.
Uniform Allowance: Upon hire, the City will provide your weapons and duty gear. After 12 months of service, you will receive $23.08 bi-weekly (approximately $600/year) to cover your uniform expenditures.
Cash in Lieu of Medical Insurance Coverage: If you elect to opt-out of our City’s medical insurance coverage and provide proof of alternate coverage (e.g. coverage from a spouse’s plan), you will be paid cash in lieu-of coverage in the amount of $835.66/month.
How much money comes out of your check to pay for medical and other expenses?
Applicants often see our generous salary but become concerned about what deductions our officers have taken out of their paycheck. Like every police department, our officers have certain deductions from their paychecks.
Here are exactly what deductions you will see from your paycheck as a Santa Clara Police Officer in addition to State and Federal taxes:
Retirement: Either 10.5% of your pre-tax pay if you are on new employee on the 2.7% @ 57 formula or 11.25% of your pre-tax salary if you are a classic PERS employee.
Medical: The City will pay up to $1015.59/month for you and your family’s medical insurance once you choose a plan offered through the City. If your monthly premium is more than that amount, that amount will be deducted from your paycheck. Click here for more details about our medical insurance plans.
Dental Insurance: The city will contribute $22.00 a month to you and your family’s dental insurance. If your monthly premium is more than that amount, that amount will be deducted from your paycheck. Click here for more details about our dental insurance plans.
Vision Insurance: The city will contribute $9.00 a month to you and your family’s vision insurance. If your monthly premium is more than that amount, that amount will be deducted from your paycheck. Click here for more information about our vision insurance plans.
Union Dues: If you choose to join the Police Officer’s Association, you will pay $68.00 per paycheck.
Medicare: 1.45% of your after-tax salary will go to Medicare.
PERS Survivor Benefit: $0.93 per paycheck
Optional Deferred Compensation Deductions: Not mandatory to participate. City contributes $150 a month.
Police academy
What police academies does Santa Clara PD use?
On occasion we will use other academies but typically we send all our recruit police officers to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office academy. To see when the next academy begins, click here. To determine which academy, you would be sent to if hired, look for one that starts 3-4 months after the application process began.
How long is the police academy?
The academy is approximately 7 months long.
Field Training Program
How long is the FTO program for entry level officers?
Our goal is not to have trainees pass the Field Training program in a given number of weeks, but rather to successfully train them to operate as a solo beat officer. Our program is broken into phases where the trainee takes on increasingly more responsibility as they progress through the program. In addition to being assigned to Patrol for most of the program, trainees will spend two weeks working with an FTO from the Traffic Unit. Typically, trainees spend 16-20 weeks in the Field Training program before continuing to the next phase in their training which is the probationary period.
How long is the FTO program for lateral officers?
Lateral officers typically spend 8-12 weeks in the FTO program depending on their experience.
How likely is it that I will not pass FTO and then I will be fired?
Not passing the FTO phase is a concern for every new officer. Some officers do well in the academy only to find they struggle in the FTO program. Having to worry about being cut from the FTO program can make an already stressful job even harder. Very few trainees do not successfully pass the FTO program. We spend a lot of time and energy hiring the best people and we start investing in their training immediately. Our staff is “hands-on” even when our new officers are sent to the academy. Our staff monitors how our new officers are progressing in the academy and works quickly to address any training deficiencies. Once recruits graduate from the academy they move into the In-House Training Phase which is two weeks of specialized training in our facilities before heading to the FTO program. Our FTOs are committed to doing everything they can to help a trainee be successful. They are not looking for perfection and instead are solely focused on making sure the trainee can operate at the level of a safe beginner. Our Field Training Officers are not simply there to evaluate performance, instead they are teachers, mentors and coaches dedicated to doing everything they can to move the trainee to the next phase of their training. If you follow the directions you are given, study hard and can apply the training in the field, there is no reason to think you cannot be successful. Click here to learn more about what your experience in the FTO program will be like.
Patrol Schedule
What is your patrol schedule?
Our patrol officers work eleven hour shifts on an alternating 3 days a week/4 day a week schedule. We divide the patrol division into the A-Side and B-Side. When the A-Side officers are working, the B-Side officers are off, and vice-versa. Our A-Side officers work Tuesday through Thursday and every other Monday. Our B-Side officers work Friday through Sunday and every other Monday. Each side of the week has four different patrol teams who work the following hours.
Team 1A 0600-1700
Team 2A 1100 – 2200
Team 3A 1500-0200
Team 4A 2000-0700
Team 1B 0600-1700
Team 2B 1100 – 2200
Team 3B 1500-0200
Team 4B 2000-0700
What would my schedule be?
As a probationary officer, you can expect to be rotated to different patrol teams every three months. When you are off probation, you will bid for the specific schedule you would like to work. Team assignments are made by seniority. We bid for team assignments every 6 months.
Am I going to be stuck working weekend nights for a long time?
As a police officer, you will need to be prepared to work early mornings, late nights, holidays, and everything in between. However, one of the benefits of working for Santa Clara PD is that our patrol division is made up of a diverse group of officers. Some of our senior officers enjoy working weekends or at night so sometimes, our junior officers get assigned to the A-Side with weekends off or dayshift on the B-Side. As a new hire, it is better to be prepared to work any shift, but you may find you have more options than you previously thought.
General Information
How many officers, vehicles, etc. does Santa Clara PD have?
Click here.
What is the structure of the organization?
Our agency has 4 divisions: Field Operations Division, Investigations Division, Special Operations Division and Administrative Services Division.
The Field Operations Division includes uniformed patrol teams, the Traffic Unit, the Community Response Team, and parking enforcement.
The Investigations Division includes the Detective Bureau, the Special Enforcement Team, task force officers, C.S.I., and the Records Unit.
The Special Operations Division includes the Homeland Security/Special Events Unit, K9 teams and the Special Response Team (SWAT, Crisis Negotiation Team, Tactical Dispatchers).
The Administrative Services Division includes the Office of the Chief of Police, Training, Communications, Community Services, Recruiting and Hiring, Property and Evidence.
Who are the members of command staff?
Our Chief of Police is Pat Nikolai. Our Assistant Chiefs are Derek Rush and Wahid Kazem. For additional Command Staff members, click here.
What is the department policy on _____?
You can read our policies by clicking here.
What are the department’s goals and accomplishments?
You can read our department’s goals and accomplishments here.