Steps to Becoming a Police Officer
The San Jose Police Department currently hires twice a year for the academy which is held every January and July. We hire up to 60 Police Recruit Officers for each academy. The selection process usually begins six to eight months prior to the start of each academy while prerequisite testing is year round. Lateral Officers are hired year round. Planning for a transition into a career as a San Jose Police Officer is just one of the keys to success.
- Successfully passed the California P.O.S.T Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB), also known as the P.O.S.T. Reading and Writing Test, with a “T-score” of 50 or higher. http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/ Waived for Lateral Police applicants.
- Successfully passed the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) also known as the physical agility test with a minimum T-score of 320 for Police Recruit applicants and a minimum T-score of 384 for Lateral Police applicants.
- Successfully passed the 1.5 mile run. The WSTB will also be offered during the out of area test weekend for out of area applicants.
- When you have successfully passed the prerequisite tests and you meet the minimum requirements, submit an online application at www.joinsjpdblue.com. Submit your T-scores online with your application. You will be sent notification to proceed to the next step, the PHQ.
- Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) - Approx. 60 minutes. Online questionnaire that relates directly to job suitability. Required for police recruit applicants only and must pass to proceed to the Oral Board Interview. PHQ waived for Lateral Police applicants.
- Oral Board Interview (Approx. 60 minutes long, with a panel of three (3) raters.)
View the Oral Interview Schedule. Only eligible applicants who have been issued a password may register for an appointment. - Background Phase - A complete and thorough background investigation of references and personal histories including:
- Polygraph Exam
- Psychological Oral Interview
- Psychological Written Test
- Hiring Board Review – Qualified candidates are selected and given a “conditional job offer.”
- Medical Exam - A medical check of each candidate for job suitability.
- Employment with the City of San Jose. (Police recruits will have approximately one (1) month before the San Jose Police Academy begins. Lateral Police Officers will begin the field training program.)
PREREQUISITES TO APPLICATION:
SELECTION PROCESS: