If you meet the qualifications listed above Submit an Application.

The Personal History Questionnaire consists of approximately 180 questions, which allow an applicant to self-report behavior(s) determined to be related directly to job suitability. The PHQ is designed to identify applicants who do not meet the minimum standards to become a Police Recruit; saving the ineligible applicant considerable time and effort involved in the testing process. PHQ results are valid for one year.

This is a panel interview. Candidates will be asked five to eight questions, not necessarily police-related. Pass Point is 70% or higher. Results are valid for three years.

Candidates who successfully complete the Oral Board Interview will be placed on a list of eligible candidates for the Background Investigation Process. Those selected to move on to the Background Investigation Process will be notified approximately two to three weeks after the last Oral Board Exam of the testing cycle.

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.

• More about the Background Investigation Process

Academy Graduate Police Recruits are considered a City of San Jose employee while attending the San Jose Police Academy, which is a 26-week program. Recruits are paid the current contract hourly rate while in the Academy. Upon graduation, you will enter the Field Training Officer Program (FTO) for additional training as a SJPD officer on the street.

For the current Police Recruit hourly rate view the City Pay Plan.

The Field Training Officer (FTO) program is the “street” training for officers just graduating from the academy. This is a period where newly graduated Police Recruit Officers will take what they learned in the academy and apply it to the street. New officers will be assigned to experienced SJPD Field Training Officers throughout 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 Field Training 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.