A police officer in California performs variety of duties that fall under the category of law enforcement. It is the job of a police officer to prevent crime, enforce state laws, control traffic flow, and make sure traffic regulations are followed. Police officers are required to make arrests, conduct investigations, and assist in special crime prevention. Just like in other states, police officers in California are also assigned patrolling duties and are required to monitor activities to protect people and property.
Featured Programs and Schools in California
Becoming a police officer involves a rigorous selection process followed by intensive training at the police academy. Those individuals interested in a career as a police officer in California should familiarize themselves with the state’s requirements.
Career Requirements
| Educational Requirements | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Experience/Training | Graduate Training Academy, Moderate in-field training |
| Key Skills | Assertiveness, Physical Fitness, Quick Thinker, Teamwork, Strong Moral Character, Courage, Sound Judgement, Ethics, Negotiation skills, Mental and Physical Agility. |
| Annual Mean Salary – California (2021) | $102,920 (Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers) |
| Job Outlook – California (2018-2028) | 4% (Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) and O*Net Online
What does a Police Officer do in California?
Police officers carry out a wide range of tasks in the exercise of their role as law enforcement officials. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Apprehending criminals
- Taking steps to prevent crime
- First response in the event of traffic accidents or emergencies of any kind
- Carrying out investigations
- Patrolling highways, neighborhoods, etc.
Things to Consider when Becoming a Police Officer in California
Everyone isn’t cut out for a life in law enforcement. For that reason, you should do some research and familiarize yourself with what to expect from a career as a police officer. Only then can you make an informed decision about whether or not this is the career for you.
The Good:
- Police officers dedicate their lives to protecting and serving society.
- You can expect to make a reasonably comfortable living.
- Considerable benefits such as paid leaves, holiday bonuses, insurance, good pensions, health coverage, uniform allowances, etc.
- Early retirement opportunities.
The Not so Good:
- The job can be very stressful and mentally demanding.
- You may be put in dangerous or uncomfortable situations in the line of duty.
- Hours are not regular.
- Physically demanding job requiring ongoing training.
Helpful Skills and Character Traits
When considering a career in law enforcement, keep in mind that the following inherent character traits may help becoming a good police officer. Also listed are a set of skills, which you can develop or work on further.
| Character Traits | Skills to acquire/develop |
|---|---|
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State Requirements
The minimum requirements, which must be satisfied prior to becoming a police officer, pursuant to Government Code (GC) Sections 1029, 1030, and 1031, and Commission Regulations 9050-9055, are as follows:
- Must be at least 18 years of age (some agencies may have a higher age requirement)
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Must have no prior criminal record
- Must have a valid driver’s license of the state of California
Steps to Becoming a Police Officer in California
After satisfying the minimum requirements checklist, here’s what you need to do:
- Find police departments that are hiring
Do some research to determine which police departments are currently hiring. This is important because it is often the case that different departments have different qualifications that candidates need to satisfy.
Law enforcement departments in California also have differing basic academy requirements. For instance, some require candidates to complete their basic academy training prior to applying, while others send candidates to their own academies once they’ve been hired. There are also those academies that want you to take their basic academy training program irrespective of whether you’ve already been through training. For this reason, it is important to know your targeted law enforcement department’s academy training policies.
It’s also beneficial to have a clear idea of which branch of law enforcement you’re looking to work in. Each department has different education and training requirements. Some of the departments that exist in California include:
- Highway Patrol
- The Department of Justice
- State Park Rangers
- Corrections and Rehabilitations
- Satisfy education requirements and qualifications
The minimum educational requirements becoming a police officer are satisfied if the candidate has a high school diploma or a GED. Although not absolutely required, a college education may increase your employment prospects. Candidates may consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a related field. This may also have the effect of making you better qualified for promotions down the road.
Most police departments also require that candidates have a certain amount of real world experience before applying for a job as a police officer. This may especially hold true for those jobs requiring interaction with the public; communication, people, teamwork, problem-solving skills, may be well sought after.
Experience in the military is also highly valued by employers in law enforcement. The mental and physical challenges of military life are considered important in preparing individuals for careers in law enforcement.
- Pass the entrance exams
There are numerous aspects to the entrance exam at police departments. These are known as post-secondary placement tests and are intended to help employers determine if you possess the requisite skills they are looking for. The written parts of these qualifications that may be taken by candidates are known as the ASSET or COMPASS test.
If you pass the written test, police departments may also require a few or all of the following tests as well:
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Physical Assessment |
Being a police officer is a physically demanding job. As such, you have to be in very good shape in order for your application to be considered. The assessment will typically require candidates to perform sprints, pull-ups, push-ups, and successfully make it through an obstacle course. Depending on candidates’ age and gender, they will be required to perform up to a particular standard. |
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Psychological Assessment |
Stress is a common feature of the job and candidates can expect to confront stressful and potentially dangerous situations over the course of duty. For this reason, a psychological assessment is carried out to gauge how well individuals can cope with stress. The test is also intended to evaluate personality traits, temperament and emotional control. |
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Polygraph Test |
This test is carried out to determine how truthful potential candidates are. Trust is a very important personality trait and is essential when working as part of a group or team. |
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Physical Test |
A physical test will determine the overall health of applicants. Tests are carried out to see whether your basic organs such as heart and lungs are in good shape. Good eye sight is also important and you need to have corrected 20/20 vision. |
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Background Check |
As public servants, police officers are held up to very high moral and ethical standards. A background check is carried out to determine if you exhibit these standards in your life and to find out any misdemeanors or convictions.You can expect a fingerprint analysis to be done for your information to be cross referenced with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Any negative activity will immediately result in your application being denied. |
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Interview
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The final test is in the form of an interview with the candidate and members of the department to see whether the candidate is the right fit for the job. A series of questions will be asked to determine your problem solving and communication skills. |
- Complete basic academy training
If you are hired, you will be sent to a police academy, where you will need to go through an intensive training program, typically lasting for about 6 months. The rigorous training regime is composed of both physical and academic elements. While at the academy, candidates will have a probationary non-sworn status, which means they won’t have any police authority. Upon the successful completion of all academy requirements and exams, candidates will be sworn into the force.
Candidates can expect to learn the following at the academy:
- Non-Emergency incident response
- Emergency incident response
- Patrol activities
- Fundamentals of criminal investigation
- Use of firearms
- Self defense
- Traffic control
- Ethics
- Introduction to the US criminal justice system
- Undertake field training program
Once you have been sworn in, you’ll have the designation of a newly assigned peace officer. You will need to shadow an experienced police officer to get on the job training and facilitate your transition into the real world. Cadets are given responsibilities and are monitored to see how they handle them.
At this stage it is common to learn:
- Patrol procedures
- How to use radio communications systems
- Search and seizure techniques
- Control of persons
- Patrol vehicle operations
- A range of other agency specified activities
Job Outlook and Salary in California
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and sheriff’s patrol officers in California earned an annual mean income of $102,920. Below are the five highest paying US states for police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
According to the estimate provided by O*Net Online, police and sheriff’s patrol officer in California will see their employment prospects rise by 4% between 2018 and 2028. Below are the five US states with the highest employment levels for these officers.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
California also tops the list of US states that have the highest number of police and sheriff’s patrol officers employed across the country.
How Long Does It Take to Be a Police Officer in California
To become a police officer in California, you first need to get the required education. The minimum educational requirement is high school education or a GED. If you get a college degree, the duration will increase further depending on the type of degree you get. All in all, it can take you anywhere between 2 to 5 years to become a police officer in California.
FAQs
- Is being a police officer a good career option in 2022?
- How much do police officers earn annually in the state of California?
- What factors result in police officer’s disqualification?
- How much will it cost me to become a police officer in California?
- What is included in Physical Ability Test (PAT)?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2030), there is 7% growth projected for the profession in the US. In California alone the growth is projected to be 4% between 2018-2028.
As per 2021 statistics provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and sheriff’s patrol officers in California earn an annual mean wage of $102,920.
The process to become a police officer in California requires complete background check. Things like previous felony, bad credit history, current or past drug use/abuse, not clean driving license, and unreported past crimes can disqualify the applicant.
The cost to attend a police training academy in California is approximately $4000.
A comprehensive physical and agility test, it includes obstacle course, body drag, solid fence climb, chain link fence, and 500-yard run. Candidates are given two attempts for each task, except 500-yard run, and is mandatory to pass at least once.
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