Clerically amended on January 21, 2026, to clarify the minimum education qualifications.
Join a highly respected Police Department and serve the citizens of one of the most beautiful cities in the country. San Francisco is a world-class city with a world-class police team. From Fisherman's Wharf to Golden Gate Park and from Nob Hill to the Tenderloin, whether we're on foot patrol, horseback, in squad cars, responding to emergencies, or leading classes on public safety, we'd love to work with you in keeping our community safe.
Application Opening: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Application Deadline: Continuous
Salary Range: https://www.joinsfpd.com/faq
Recruitment ID: X00018
Role Description
Becoming a San Francisco Police Officer
San Francisco Police Officers perform a wide variety of essential duties to promote safety with respect. This is much more than a job; it is an opportunity to build a career of which you can be proud.
Essential Duties
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 209, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.
• Prepares for work; receives instruction from platoon commander regarding assignment (beat) and/or specific patrol targets during daily line-up; inspects patrol car, equipment and weapons to ensure proper operation. • Patrols the district on foot or in patrol car; operates Mobile Video Terminal computer in patrol car; operates radio; detects criminal activity; and communicates with the public. • Responds to call for service; resolves disputes; admonishes individuals; responds to accidents; and provides emergency first-aid. • Conducts investigations; conducts a preliminary investigation at the scene of a crime; searches area for suspects or evidence; interviews suspects, witnesses and victims; obtains case numbers; and obtains background information from dispatch or the computer. • Promotes community policing; speaks to merchants regarding potential problems in the area; explains to citizens laws, ordinances, and their rights in resolving disputes; speaks to citizens in sector while on patrol; attends community meetings; and participates in community-based programs. • Makes arrests and/or detains suspects. • Pursues suspects; chases suspects; sets up perimeters; and communicates with partner to coordinate chase. • Enforces traffic and parking violations. • Writes reports; keeps records; draws accident scene diagrams; competes forms and maintains logs. • Interacts with superiors, peers, and other department personnel. • Prepares and participates in planned events; stands and directs traffic at accident scenes, demonstrations, or planned events; controls crowds; cooperates with other city and state agencies to secure area at planned event or crime scene. • Prepares for and attends court; reviews reports and other related documents; testifies in court; meets with the Assistant District Attorney to discuss cases. • Performs related duties as required.
How to Qualify
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
(The following eligibility requirements will be verified during the Background Investigation.)
• Education: Applicants must be a United States High School Graduate, or have passed a G.E.D. or the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university in accordance with (Government Code 1031(e)). • A foreign college or university degree may be evaluated for equivalency by a credential evaluation service holding membership in the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), and the evaluation equivalency must be provided at the time of application. • Age: Applicants must be at least 20 years old when they take the examination and at least 21 years of age by the time of appointment. (Civil Service Rule 210.10) • Driver's License: Applicants must possess and maintain a valid driver license to operate an automobile at the time of application and throughout the selection process. • Judicial Record: Applicants must NOT have been: Convicted of a felony; Convicted of an offense involving domestic violence; Convicted of any misdemeanor that carries a penalty of prohibiting ownership, possession or control or a firearm; or Restricted from employment with the City and County of San Francisco.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
(The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when applicants are referred for hiring.)
• Experience in the United States Military • Proficiency in a second language relevant to San Francisco communities • Verification of Minimum Qualifications: California Government Code §1031 says that law enforcement officers need a background investigation before getting hired. This investigation checks if a candidate meets the requirements for the job. The Background Unit handles this investigation. Its the applicants job to give all the needed documents to the Background Unit. The investigation wont start until they have all the documents. If the background packet is incomplete, it will slow down the investigation. • This process includes verifying: Identity, Education, Employment history, Criminal record, Credit history • More information regarding the Background Investigations process can be found at https://joinsfpd.com/background-investigations/. • Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Selection Procedures
• Written Exam (Pass/Fail) For this recruitment, applicants have the option to use either Option A) FrontLine National Law Enforcement Examination administered by the National Testing Network (NTN) or Option B) California PELLETB Exam. • Either exam is pass/fail with the minimum scores posted below. • OPTION A) FrontLine National Law Enforcement Examination (NTN) • To register visit: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/search.cfm?position=1&state=All+States • You will need to establish an account with NTN. A fee is required to take the FrontLine National examination. Applicants with demonstrated financial hardship may submit a request to have the fee waived prior to test registration. See "Candidate FAQ #27" on the NTN website (https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/faqs.cfm) to learn more about how to apply for a fee waiver. • There are three components to the FrontLine National exam: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a written language ability test. The passing scores are: • Video: 60 • Writing: 70 • Reading: 70 • Applicants must pass each test independently. The scores are not averaged. • OPTION B) Post Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) • The PELLETB exam, developed by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), measures reading comprehension and writing abilities. • Applicants who have taken the PELLETB written within the last two years and have achieved a T-score of 42 or higher will also be exempt from the written examination. • A copy of the documentation, which includes the date of the PELLETB test and score on a valid agency letterhead, must be submitted with your application. • Waiver of Written Exam • Applicants who have completed a Bachelor's degree or higher may be waived from the written examination. Applicants will be required to submit verification to waive the written exam.
Application Requirements
Applicants must first meet the minimum education requirements as stated above and be a United States High School Graduate, or have passed a G.E.D. or the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have an AA or higher degree from a United States accredited college or university in accordance with Government Code 1031(e).
Information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Applicants who attain passing scores on the FrontLine National Exam or the PELLETB or have a Bachelor's degree or higher will be notified to take a Physical Ability Test (PAT) and an Oral Interview (OI).
Physical Ability Test (Pass/Fail)
The PAT will assess physical abilities needed to perform essential police officer tasks and successfully complete academy training through four events. The physical abilities include: muscular strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, equilibrium, and abilities involving all-out effort.
Oral Interview (100%)
The OI will assess community involvement, interest and motivation, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, oral communication skills, and abilities not tested by other examination components. The OI score will be used to place applicants on the eligible list. Candidates will be notified via email of their pass/fail status on the PAT and OI. Those who do not pass may request another opportunity to re-take the test no sooner than three (3) months [90 calendar days] from their previous attempt.
Selection Process
Candidates must pass each of the selection components unless otherwise noted on the announcement. The Department reserves the right to waive selection components for individuals based on prior experience or certification.
Candidates who pass all test components (i.e., Written Exam, Physical Ability Test, and Oral Interview) will have their names added to the eligible list. Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 24 months.
For information regarding Final Scores and Ranks for Q002 Police Officer: Eligible List Rankings
No-Show Policy
Applicants who do not appear for their scheduled examination date without prior notification will be marked as a "no show." Applicants who do not attend the examination on their rescheduled date will be removed from the selection process.
What Else Should You Know?
Eligible List / Certification Rule
The Police Department has the option to hire any candidate on the eligible list ("Rule of List"). Therefore, placement on this list neither guarantees nor implies that you will be offered employment. The Police Department will administer the remaining processes outlined below to determine who shall advance further in the hiring process