Reserve Unit – Selection
SELECTION PROCESS
1.) Job application:
Your first step will be to complete the application form in a legible and accurate manner. This form will be your representative during the entire selection process. After you have submitted the application, it will be reviewed by personnel analyst to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements for the Reserve Police Officer position.
2.) Written evaluation:
This portion designed to test skills such as reading, comprehension, and writing ability.
3) Physical agility:
The events are designed to test the essential job functions strength, agility, and endurance associated with physical tasks demanded of Police Officers in the performance of their duties. You will be allowed 3 attempts to qualify in category b, c, and d.
- 1½ Mile Run: Run 1½ miles in 14 minutes or less.
- Fence Climb: Run 15 feet, go over the 6 foot wall, run 15 feet, turn around and run back, climb over the 6 foot wall, and run 15 feet to the start/finish line in 17 seconds or less.
- Rescue: From a standing start, lift an 80 pound sack and carry it in a slalom course through 5 pylons. Set the sack down carefully, run 7 feet around the end pylon and back to the sack. Grab the sack by the ears and drag it back 76 feet through the pylons across the start/finish line in 29 seconds or less.
- Foot Pursuit: Run and jump over 4 low hurdles (varying in heights from 26½ inches to 30½ inches), run around 3 pylons, step in and out of 12 tires and run across the start/finish line in 25 seconds or less. (must jump all the hurdles by both feet leaving the ground at the same time).
b.)
d.)
4.) Oral Interview:
This is a formal selection interview. It is designed to assess your ability in important areas of police work such as communication skills, decision making, and judgment. The interview takes approximately one half hour. After you successfully pass the oral exam you will be required to fill out the psychological pre-personal history questionnaire and it will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
5) Written Psychological Exam:
The exam will be conducted by the police department's staff psychologist. These exams meet the minimum P.O.S.T. and government standards. You will be given a battery of tests which will take from 4 to 7 hours.
6) Oral psychological interview:
After your written exam, you will be scheduled for an interview with one of the psychologists. The interview takes approximately an hour. The psychologist will complete an evaluation and prepare a confidential report that is maintained by the psychologist. The psychological exam is a pass or fail evaluation and results are confidential and protected by law.
7) Polygraph examination:
The exam consists of a 90 minute interview which determines the candidate's suitability for police work. The examiner will prepare a confidential report which will be maintained in the applicant's background file.
8) Background investigation:
The background investigation is required by the San Jose Police Department, P.O.S.T., and by law (California Penal Code Sections 13510 through 13523 and Government Code Section 1031). You will be contacted by a full-time or reserve police officer assigned to your case. It is extremely important that you complete the statements in the Personal History Questionnaire (P.H.Q.) truthfully and fully. The investigation normally takes several weeks to complete and is conducted by the San Jose Police Department. The investigation will go into the following areas:
- Personal and family history
- Places of residence (past and present)
- Financial status
- Employment history (past and present)
- Military service (if applicable)
- Education
- Driving record (all states)
- Criminal record and all police contacts (all states)
- Membership in any orginazations (past and present)
- Relationship(s) (past and present)
- Drug use
- References
9) Common Reasons for disqualification:
- Criminal Record - if you have been convicted of a FELONY, a SEX CRIME, or have a lengthy misdemeanor record-you may not qualify for employment.
- If you have been convicted of a CRIME OF VIOLENCE, including DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,you may be prohibited from carrying a firearm. This restriction is disqualifying.
- If you are the subject named in a RESTRAINING ORDER, you may also be subject to firearms restrictions. Check with your attorney or the issuing court.
- If you are on PROBATION, whether for a traffic or criminal matter, you are disqualified.
- If you have been terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or failed probation from a law enforcement agency, you may not meet our standards.
- If your DRIVING RECORD suggests immaturity, irresponsibility, or an inability to follow rules and regulations, you may be determined to be unsuitable for employment
The City Physician assess each candidate against the medical qualifications required of Peace Officers by law.
Please read the following information to ensure that you meet the minimum vision standards. San Jose Police Department vision standards are based on California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) guidelines. Locate the box that applies to you to determine your qualification. If you need more detailed information, please call Medical Services at (408) 277- 4177.
- Uncorrected vision:
- (If you do not wear glasses or contact lenses, and have not had any vision-related surgery or medical procedures), the vision standard is: 20/40 or better (assessed for both eyes together).
- Glasses:
- Your vision, with your glasses on, must be 20/20 (assessed for both eyes together).
- Your vision, without your glasses, must be 20/40 (assessed for both eyes together).
- Soft Contacts:
- One year of successful use prior to the examination.
- Your vision, wearing contact lenses, must be 20/20 (assessed for both eyes together).
- Your vision, without your contacts, must be 20/200 (at least 20/200 in weaker eye).
- RK Surgery:
- All post-op records must be submitted for review.
- No significant difficulty with glare or night vision.
- No indications that uncorrected far acuity will be significantly degraded within the next 2 to 3 years by progressive hyperopia.
- No significant diurnal instability in visual testing or function.
- Minimum elapsed time between surgery and qualifying examination:
- 6 months, if examined prior to your 35th birthday.
- 1 year, if examined after your 35th birthday.
- Laser Surgery:
- Minimum elapsed time between surgery and examination: 3 months.
- Written certification required from ophthalmologist stating that visions stable and that there was no significant postoperative complications.
- Reevaluation will be required for those candidates who had significant postoperative problems.
- Orthokeratology:
- This procedure is unacceptable, and must have been discontinued for at least 12 months prior to examination. Evaluation will be on a case-by-case basis.
- Color vision:
- Candidates who fail the PIP test must pass the Farnsworth D-15 with no more than one major crossing error.
- Use of rose-colored lenses (e.g. "X-Chrom") is not permitted during testing.
11) Director's interview:
This is a formal interview. It is designed to assess your ability in important areas of police work. The interview takes approximately one half hour and it is not a pass or fail interview.
12) Staff board review:
Final selection of candidates is made by staff within Police Department and their selection is based on your test scores, information gathered in the background investigation, and psychological assessment.
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