Mission: In partnership with our community, the National City Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of service and public safety. We will pursue this commitment with an unwavering resolve while always respecting the rights and dignity of those we serve.

Under immediate supervision, attend a Basic Police Academy and participate in departmental training and orientation programs to prepare for a professional law enforcement career.

This is a non-sworn, civilian, trainee class designed to employ Police Officer candidates during the initial, formalized, basic police officer training. Police Recruit is distinguished from the next higher class, Police Officer, in that recruits are not assigned any active law enforcement duties and do not have peace officer powers. Upon successful completion of required training, recruits may be appointed and sworn in as Police Officers.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend a Basic Police Academy which meets all training requirements of the California Penal Code and the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST), to obtain a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system and specialized training in various laws, law enforcement techniques, practices and procedures, and first aid and to develop and demonstrate physical fitness and effective usage of firearms.
• Participates in orientation and in-house training programs under direct supervision to develop an awareness of the duties, activities, and responsibilities of a Police Officer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of appointment.
• Must meet all requirements for admission to Basic Police Academy recognized by POST.

Ability to: Observe, learn, understand, and interpret various laws and police practices and procedures; analyze problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take appropriate action in emergency and stressful situations; undergo strenuous physical conditioning; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports in English; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with persons of widely varying socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds; understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Examination Process

• Applications will be accepted online only at www.nationalcityca.gov, and all notices will be sent via e-mail.
• Based upon the review of applications received, those applicants who best meet the requirements indicated above will be asked to complete a Pre-Background Questionnaire.
• Applicants who pass the review of their pre-background questionnaire, will be invited to a pass/fail Physical Agility Test (PAT).
• Those applicants passing the PAT may be invited to the Written Examination.
• Applicants scoring at or above the threshold will be required to complete a Personnel Information Questionnaire (PIQ) and may be invited to an oral interview with the Police Department.

Only those candidates who successfully pass the Written (if applicable) and Physical Agility Examinations may be invited to the oral interviews. The candidates that continue in the selection process will be subject to a background investigation including fingerprinting, computer voice stress analysis (CVSA), psychological evaluation, and a thorough medical examination. There are certain types of conduct, which will be automatic grounds for disqualification. Please read the information on the Disqualifying Criteria to help you identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause a delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process.

For additional information on the National City Police Department, click here.