Police Officer Recruit
Salary
$85,126.45 Annually
Location
Sacramento, CA
Job Type
Limited Term / Benefit Qualified
Job Number
009123-26-PD-7
Department
Police
Opening Date
05/16/2026
Closing Date
5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
THE POSITION
You must have taken and passed the Police Officer Recruit examination for further consideration. To take the examination, click here.
Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.
Applicants applying to this posting will be hired as a Police Officer Recruit and must successfully complete a twenty-four (24) week P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy. Upon satisfactory graduation from a P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy, a Police Officer Recruit meeting the requirements of the Police Officer classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Police Officer. For more information regarding the Police Officer or Community Service Officer II positions, please visit the following links:
Police Officer Classification Specification: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/saccity/classspecs/33389?keywords=police%20Officer%20Recruit&pagetype=classSpecifications
Community Service Officer II: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/saccity/classspecs/1223708?keywords=community%20service%20officer&pagetype=classSpecifications
Under close supervision, Police Officer Recruits participate in a basic law enforcement training program, at the Sacramento Police Academy. Police Officer Recruits gain an understanding of police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, and acquire physical and emotional skills needed to successfully complete the police academy and may perform non-sworn, non-hazardous duties in support of a variety of police operations.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Police Officer Recruit is a non-career developmental classification used to recruit and train qualified candidates to learn the duties of a Police Officer or Community Service Officer II in the Sacramento Police Department. Incumbents of this class undergo a formal, comprehensive training program in a State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Police Academy conducted by the Sacramento Police Department to prepare for performing duties in support of police operations. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in the required physical agility testing component prior to and during the academy. On-going physical training will be a required skill set for any successful incumbent.
Upon satisfactory graduation from a P.O.S.T. Basic Course Police Academy, a Police Officer Recruit meeting the requirements of the Police Officer classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Police Officer. Incumbents promoted to CSO II at time of completion of the POST Basic Police Academy, are expected to attend accredited college level courses in order to satisfy the minimum qualification requirements of the Police Officer classification within their limited-term appointment.
Employees shall not be classified as Police Officer Recruit for more than one year from the date of hire unless the employee was unsuccessful in an Academy and the employee is invited to participate in an additional academy. Advancement to Police Officer or Community Service Officer II is dependent upon satisfactory job performance. Failure to graduate from the Police Academy and/or failure to meet satisfactory progress within the prescribed training period will be cause for termination.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Immediate supervision is provided by higher-level sworn or civilian personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to:
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Education:
High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent
Experience:
No experience required.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Age:
Must be at least 18 years of age by the time of appointment.
Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment.
Respiratory Protective Equipment:
Work in this class requires wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.
Felony Convictions:
Free of felony convictions under California Government Code Section 1029.
Background:
Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and drug use history.
Medical/Drug Test/Psychological Test:
Must pass a medical examination, drug test, and psychological test.
Continued Education:
Eligible to enroll in an accredited college or university.
This is a developmental classification designed to attract and retain persons with the desire and potential to be appointed to the Police Officer classification and who are working to satisfy the minimum qualification requirements of the Police Officer classification. Failure to make satisfactory progress may be cause for termination.
Physical Requirements:
The position requires sitting, standing, walking, running, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and crouching in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in the preparation of reports and using a computer keyboard; hearing and speaking are required for interacting with the public and others and to hear sirens. Additionally, the position requires depth perception, near, far, night, peripheral, and color vision in viewing crime scenes or evidence. May be required to walk on uneven and slippery surfaces. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Environmental Conditions:
Incumbents work outdoors in all weather conditions, around loud siren noise, moving vehicles, and around animals; exposed to controlled temperature conditions in an office environment and unpredictable work conditions, including but not limited to, physical threats, verbal abuse, and stressful situations when in the field. This position may require working around chemicals, blood, and other potential toxic exposures.
THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramentos preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.
Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on 40 hours per week (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
Supplemental documents such as resume, cover letter, and proof of certification are highly preferred and recommended at the time of application submission. Documents should be submitted to the City of Sacramento Employment Office as attachment(s) via online with the employment application, emailed to employment@cityofsacramento.org. If submitting via email, please include your name on your documents.
Applicants are responsible for attaching proof of certification, and/or license to each position for which they apply. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.
Optional - send a valid and legible copy of your previous result letter to the City of Sacramento Human Resources (refer to Test Exemption section below).
If you are currently on an active Eligible (PASS) List for the Police Officer Recruit position, it is unnecessary to reapply and/or retake the Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam for this position. Each Eligible (PASS) List is active for two (2) years from the date it is established.
Online Exam: (Pass/Fail)- Candidates must have taken and passed the online examination with a score of 70% for further consideration. Only applicants who have successfully passed the City of Sacramento's Entry Level Law Enforcement Examination will be referred to the department after the final filing deadline. The online examination will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the knowledge and abilities as outlined above. Candidates can access the examination at any time by visiting the City of Sacramento's Examination's website: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment
Eligibility: Candidates who pass the online examination will be placed on the eligible list. Candidate's eligibility expires two years from the date of notification of a passing score for the City of Sacramento's Entry Level Law Enforcement Examination. Candidates can take the examination at any time to maintain eligibility.
TEST EXEMPTION - If you have previously taken one of the following exams within two years of the final filing date and earned a passing score as listed below, you may be considered exempt from the Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam. To receive consideration for exemption, you must have:
To receive consideration for exemption using the P.O.S.T PELLETB exam, submit your result to the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department by the final filing date using one of the following methods:
To receive consideration for exemption using the City of Sacramento's Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam, applicants will have needed to select yes to the Online Examination, Proof of Examination, and Test Exemption from the City Of Sacramentos Entry Level Law Enforcement Examination supplemental questions included in this job posting. The City of Sacramento's Human Resources Department will verify applicant's eligibility at the time of the final filing deadline of this job posting. Applicants who request consideration for the exemption and are not in a reachable rank, will be notified by Human Resources.
Per City of Sacramento Human Resources Department requirements to receive consideration for test exemption:
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Police Officer Recruit Exam and Test Exemption, please visit: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment
Oral Interview: (100%) - The oral interview will consist of job-related questions. The Oral Interview is administered by the Sacramento Police Department.
Physical Ability Test: (Pass/Fail) - Applicants who pass the oral interview test will be required to pass the physical ability test. The Physical Ability Test is administered by the Sacramento Police Department.
Background Process: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and drug use history.
QUESTIONS
If you have specific questions regarding the Police Officer Recruit position, hiring process, Police Academy, etc.:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:
Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? Thats right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.
Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicants eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
Additional Information
Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf
Union Contracts:https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html
Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf
01
APPLICATION: I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Please refer to the City of Sacramentos Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment
02
ONLINE EXAM FOR POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT: I understand I must pass, or have passed, a City of Sacramento online examination for the Police Recruit or Community Service Officer I classification by the final filing deadline and be in the top three ranks of the eligible list for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. If you do not have access to a computer, a list of Sacramento Public Library locations that may offer computer lab resources can be found by copying and pasting the following URL into a web browser: https://www.saclibrary.org/Locations. Please refer to the City of Sacramentos Applicant Resource Page for a link to complete the examination if you have not taken and/or passed the examination in the past year of the final filing date. https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment
03
PROOF OF EXAMINATION - P.O.S.T. PELLETB: I understand that I must submit the result of a P.O.S.T. PELLETB to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline for consideration for test exemption.
You may attach the result letter for the P.O.S.T. PELLETB Exam electronically to your application or e-mail them to employment@cityofsacramento.org. If submitting via email, please include your name on your documents and the job number in the subject line.
04
EXAMINATION CONFIRMATION FOR POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER I: I understand that I must have passed the examination for this classification within the past two (2) years of the final filing date, to be exempt from re-taking the examination.
05
EXEMPTION REQUEST FROM THE CITY OF SACRAMENTOS ENTRY LEVEL LAW ENFORCMENT EXAMINATION: I have reviewed the "Test Exemption" section of the Police Officer Recruit job announcement and would like to receive consideration for exemption.
06
I understand that I must pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.
07
I have a High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
08
I understand I must be 18 years old or older by time of appointment.
09
I understand that candidates must be free of felony convictions under California Government Code 1029. Conviction of a misdemeanor is not necessarily a bar to employment, each case is considered separately based on job requirements.
10
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE: The answers to the questions below will be reviewed by the hiring department along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing this Supplemental Questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation may negatively affect the hiring departments review of your Supplemental Questionnaire. I understand and agree to the above instructions.
11
I understand the following: • Cheating on the City of Sacramentos Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam is not acceptable and doing so may result in me being disqualified to move forward in the hiring process. • As part of the polygraph test I may be asked about any dishonest behavior, including but not limited to cheating or receiving assistance in taking the examination, during the City of Sacramentos Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam.
12
I understand that candidates considered for appointment must pass a medical examination, a drug test, and a psychological test.
13
I understand that a current/valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. I will be able to meet this requirement.
14
I have the ability to speak, read, and/or write a language other than English.
15
If "Yes" on #14, list the language(s) you speak, read, and/or write.
16
Please best describe your contact with SacPD and how you came to apply for the Police Recruit position. Please check all that apply.
17
Have you ever applied to any other Law Enforcement agencies? If yes, what departments? Please write "N/A" if not applicable.
18
Have you seen any of the Sacramento Police Department Recruitment advertising exp. Rap Video, Billboards, Recruitment cards? If yes, which one(s)? Please write "N/A" if not applicable.
19
If you met recruiters at a career fair, which one? Please write "N/A" if not applicable.
20
If you met recruiters at a class presentation, which school/which instructor? Please write "N/A" if not applicable.
21
If you met recruiters at a tabling event (school or other), which location? Please write "N/A" if not applicable.
22
If you learned of SacPD or contacted recruiters via social media, which platform? (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). Please write "N/A" if not applicable.
23
I understand the Sacramento Police Department expects me to thoroughly complete the Sacramento Police Recruitment Survey. To complete the survey, please copy and past the following URL into a web browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH6erJppk73chSB7aB0Ek79i-qep8QMNjoAbhNpIjHGLxPKA/viewform
Required Question
Employer City of Sacramento
Address 915 I Street
Historic City Hall
Sacramento, California, 95814-2604
Phone (916) 808-5726