FAQ
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions our recruiters receive. If you do not see the answer to your question, please reach out to one of our recruiters using the contact from at the bottom of the page. We look forward to talking with you.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions about San Jose Police Department positions.
Yes, you must possess a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the U.S.
No, you must be legally authorized to work in the United Stated under Federal Law.
The main purpose of the Ride-Along Program is to improve police and public relations by familiarizing participants with the complex and unpredictable nature of police work. It can also be a great introduction to daily life on the police force.
All participants are required to be at least 18 years of age, and be able to pass a background check. The participant would then attend a ride-along orientation class and be assigned to ride in a marked patrol car with a uniformed officer approximately 30 days after attending the ride-along orientation class.
Participants who are interested in the Ride-Along program are required to provide information that will be used to perform a background check. Please click on the link provided below and submit the required information. You will be notified of the date to attend the ride-along orientation class.
All orientation classes are held in the evenings at 5:00pm. The location of the orientation is 1671 The Alameda, Suite 100 in San Jose.
Police Recruit Applicants in the background process – Fill out and submit a Ride-along Sign-Up Form. Make sure to check the box stating that, “you are currently an applicant seeking employment with the San Jose Police Department.”
Citizens wishing to schedule a Ride-Along – Fill out and submit a Ride-Along Sign-Up Form.
All RIDE-ALONG requests must be scheduled in advance and require a background check of the applicant.
Applicants will be required to provide the following information:
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number and issuing stat
- Gender
- Last four digits of the Social Security number
- Current address, city and state
- Cell phone number
Citizens with additional questions about the ride-along program can contact the SJPD Reserve office at (408) 277-VOLT (8658).
Police Recruit
A Police Recruit is an entry level position and is someone who does not have police/peace officer experience or training within the State of California. This classification applies to police officers from other states and federal law enforcement officers who do not possess a California P.O.S.T. Academy Certificate. The San Jose Police Department does not accept the California P.O.S.T. Waiver.
Police Recruit
- Paid Academy $54.57/hour
- Salary $113,505
Police Officer – First Step
- Hourly base pay $65.93/hour
- Salary pay $137,140
Police Officer- Top Step
- Hourly base pay $95.83/hour (*Earn up to $103.23/hour)
- Salary pay $208,493
- Domestic partnership benefits
- Paid vacation and paid sick-time accrual
- Annual uniform allowance of $675
- Four-day work-week; 10-hour shifts
- Bilingual pay – 2.5%
- Overtime and Secondary Employment assignments
- Medical / Dental plans
- Retirement Plan: Visit the Offices of Retirement Services for additional information.
- COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination policy was discontinued effective January 1, 2024. New applicants are not required to provide proof of vaccination
- No prior experience or training is required
- At least 20-1/2 years old at the time of application / Maximum age is 70 years old (mandatory retirement age)
- Legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law
- Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the U.S.
- U.S. high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED); waived if you have earned a college degree from an accredited college within the U.S. View more information about Accredited College Credits
- MUST POSSESS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION, 40 semester college credits or 60 quarter college credits from a U.S. accredited college or university. Police Academy credits already earned are accepted as part of the educational requirement.
- Military Veterans with an honorable discharge can substitute four (4) years of active duty service in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard in lieu of the minimum college credit requirement – Reserve time excluded.
- College units earned outside of the U.S. are accepted if translated and evaluated for this requirement.
- Must have at least 20/40 corrected vision
- No felony, domestic violence or misdemeanor assault convictions; cannot currently be on probation or parole
Police Lateral
A Police Lateral Applicant is someone currently employed as a police/peace officer in the State of California. The San Jose Police Department does not accept out-of-state lateral police officer transfers or federal law enforcement transfers who have completed the California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver. All law enforcement officers wishing to transfer from out-of-state or from a federal law enforcement agency must apply as a police recruit applicant and attend the San Jose Police Academy.
Police Officer – First Step
- Hourly base pay $65.93/hour
- Salary pay $137,140
Police Officer- Top Step
- Hourly base pay $95.83/hour (*Earn up to $103.23/hour)
- Salary pay $208,493 (7 annual steps)
- Domestic partnership benefits
- Paid vacation and paid sick-time accrual
- Annual uniform allowance of $675
- Four-day work-week; 10-hour shifts
- Bilingual pay – 2.5%
- Overtime and Secondary Employment assignments
- Medical / Dental plans
- Retirement Plan: Visit the Offices of Retirement Services for additional information:
- Shift Differential
- COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination policy was discontinued effective January 1, 2024. New applicants are not required to provide proof of vaccination or seek religious and/or medical exemptions as part of the pre-employment process.
- Currently employed as a California Police / Peace Officer with a California Basic P.O.S.T. certificate and have completed a patrol field training program
- Must be 21 years-old and not older than age 70
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license
- Must possess a U.S. high school diploma or General Education Development (GED), waived if you have a college degree from an accredited college within the U.S. More information about College Credits
- Must have completed 40 semester college credits or 60 quarter college credits from a U.S. accredited college or university. Police academy credits are also accepted.The education requirement will be waived for the following:
- Any lateral officers that have three (3) years active police experience, who are currently employed with any California law enforcement agency.
- Out of state officers who are employed with any law enforcement agency within the United States with three (3) years of active police experience. Out of state law enforcement officers will need to attend the Departments academy.
- Military Veterans with an honorable discharge and four (4) years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard
- Legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law
- Must have at least 20/40 corrected vision
Step #1: Submit An Application
If you meet the qualifications listed above Submit an Application.
Step #2: Informal Board Review
This is an informal interview conducted by a Recruiting Sergeant. Candidates who pass the oral interview will be placed on a list of eligible candidates for the Background Investigation Process.
Step #3: Background Investigation Process
Eligible candidates will complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) packet. Background investigators will be assigned to assist candidates through the process.
Upon successful completion and review of the background investigation, the hiring board will make their employment selections. Those selected will receive a conditional offer of employment, contingent upon successfully passing a medical and psychological exam.
Step #4: The San Jose Police Academy
The San Jose Police Academy provides classroom curriculum, physical training and instruction on San Jose Police-specific policies and procedures. The length of time for the in-house academy depends upon the number of lateral recruits and can last up to four weeks. Once the in-house academy is completed, lateral recruits will begin the Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
Step #5: The San Jose Police Field Training Program (FTO)
The Field Training Officer (FTO) program provides “street” training for officers just graduating from the academy. Lateral officers are assigned to experienced SJPD Field Training Officers while attending the FTO program. Daily evaluations are given to document progress through this training period.
Read more about the FTO training structure and history.
Those who successfully complete the FTO program are assigned to the Patrol Division as a solo beat officer. All officers, in their first three years of service as a San Jose Police Officer, must be assigned to the Patrol Division. After the three-year period, an officer is eligible to test for a specialized assignment or take the promotional exam for the rank of sergeant.
Hiring Process
After submitting your application for San Jose Police Department, Police Recruit, you will follow these steps.
Designed to identify applicants who do not meet the minimum standards to become a Police Recruit.
Candidates must pass a written exam.
Candidates must pass a physical agility test.
This is a panel interview. Candidates will be asked five to eight questions, not necessarily police-related.
The Background Investigation Process begins upon successful passing of the testing process. You will be given instruction to complete your Personal History Statement (PHS), otherwise known as your background packet. Once you complete your PHS you will then be assigned a Background Investigator. The San Jose Police Department Background Investigation Unit is committed to providing our community with the highest quality of police department employees. Our goal is to employ a work force comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence and have the highest standard of ethics.
It is imperative that all information an applicant provides is truthful and accurate. Omission of facts is considered to be untruthful. Any measurement short of this falls below our standard and can be grounds for disqualification.
A background inquiry can include but is not limited to the following:
- Driving history
- Landlords
- Education transcripts
- Roommates
- Friends and family references
- Other acquaintances
- Current and past employers
- Credit
- Military
- Past relationships
- Polygraph Interview
- Criminal history both adult and juvenile
Once your background inquiry is complete, it will then be reviewed by the hiring board for employment selection. Those selected will be given a conditional offer of employment contingent upon successfully passing the city medical exam and psychological assessment which determines your suitability to work as a police officer. Applicants who successfully complete the city medical exam and psychological assessment will be given notice of their start day to begin the San Jose Police Academy.
If you have questions about background issues or PHQ results, please call the Background Investigation Unit at 408-277-4131.
Police Recruits are considered a City of San Jose employee while attending the Academy, which is a 32-week program. Recruits are paid the current contract hourly rate while in the Academy.
The Field Training Officer (FTO) program provides “street” training for officers just graduating from the academy. Lateral officers are assigned to experienced SJPD Field Training Officers while attending the FTO program. Daily evaluations are given to document progress through this training period. Those who successfully complete the FTO program are assigned to the Patrol Division as a solo beat officer.
Preparing For Testing
The San Jose Police Departments’ Recruiting Unit has gathered the following tools to help you during the testing process. This is a great opportunity for SJPD Police Recruit applicants to better prepare themselves for these phases of the testing process.
- FREE PELLET B Workshops – Monthly online workshop to help prepare you for the Pellet B Test.
Registration Link: https://stevie-daniels.mykajabi.com/live-webinars
For more information or if you have any questions, send an email to Stevie Daniels at thepostexam@gmail.com
- Resource Website – www.policetesttutors.com
- Additional resources: “Mometrix Pellet B Guide Booklet”, available online or at bookstores
- Additional resource: NTN – Frontline National Practice Test
- SJPD Fitness Series – SJPD Applicants Only
The San Jose Police Department is currently hosting SJPD FITNESS every Wednesday evening.
This fitness series will help you prepare for the WSTB Physical Fitness Test and prepare you for similar workouts in The SJPD Police Academy.
You will be working out with other applicants who are also in the testing process and with the SJPD Recruiters and Academy TAC Officers.
To register, please email us at sjpdrecruiting@sanjoseca.gov
- South Bay Academy – Physical Agility Practice Sessions
South Bay Academy offers an instruction and practice session for the Physical Agility Exam.
The Oral Board Interview Workshop prepares applicants for the Oral Board Exam. An applicant’s final grade is comprised of the oral interview score plus any applicable veteran preference points and determines seniority within the testing cycle. This workshop covers key areas included in the Oral Board Exam.
Police Academy
Upon being hired, Police Recruits attend the San Jose Police Academy. The Academy is a 30-week program with approximately 1146 hours of training. Our standards are well above the California P.O.S.T minimum standards for Police Recruit Officer training.
Paid Academy training for Police Recruit of $54.57/hour.
GED and College Credit
The City of San Jose defines “accredited college or university” as an institution of higher learning in the United States which is listed in the most recent edition of “Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education” published by the American Council on Education for the Council on Post Secondary Accreditation (ACECPSA). Credits earned from colleges, universities and institutions listed in the book, “Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education” can be used to meet the education requirement.
- Educational institutions outside of the United States and its territories are not accredited by the ACECPSA. College course credits and degrees from such institutions must be translated (if necessary) and evaluated before they can be accepted toward meeting minimum qualifications for City of San Jose classifications.
- If a job applicant has transcripts showing college credits earned outside the United States and wishes to use them to meet the requirements for a classification currently open for recruitment, the Human Resources Department (HRD) requires that:
- The educational background be evaluated/accredited by one of the credentialing services listed below, or;
- The educational background be translated/evaluated by any U.S. college or university offering such services.
- Applicants who do not provide verification of accreditation from a recognized agency or institution will not be considered qualified for a position requiring a college degree or credits.
- Verification of accreditation can be submitted by the final filing date of the job application or before the end of the application disqualification appeal period.
No – You MUST possess a U.S. diploma or U.S. GED UNLESS you earned a college degree (AA, BS, Masters ,etc.) from a U.S. accredited college/university. (Translated/Converted units from outside of the U.S. CANNOT be used to meet this requirement.)
YES – Please check the box; a college degree earned from a U.S. accredited college/university can be used as a waiver for the U.S. diploma/U.S. GED requirement.
NO – Only a degree from a U.S. accredited college can be used as a waiver for this requirement.
You must schedule and pass a U.S. GED test. Please visit www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd/index.asp for CA GED testing or check with your own state’s department of education for more information.
For additional questions regarding minimum education requirements, please contact the SJPD Recruiting Office at 408-277-4951.