Chula Vista Police Department is a progressive organization that welcomes diversity, encourages innovation, and rewards employee performance.  The CVPD promotes employee involvement in decision-making and problem solving. Through this commitment to inclusiveness, the CVPD receives strong support and an exemplary approval rating from the community.

There are significant opportunities for career advancement through the CVPD.  We’re seeking motivated individuals who are beginning their careers, as well as those interested in a career change.  Prior law enforcement experience is welcome but not required.

The Chula Vista Police Department, in partnership with the Community, is dedicated to providing community policing, with the highest level of professionalism and transparency. Chula Vista Police Department Employees will provide fair, courteous, and compassionate service to enhance the quality of life in Chula Vista.

Leadership  |  Respect  |  Integrity  |  Accountability

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

RECRUITMENT NO. 25507110

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a City Application and Supplemental Questionnaire by the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate the required education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the recruitment process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. The eligibility list established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of twelve (12) months, unless otherwise extended. Please note: The examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted, and/or inappropriate for review.

Employees in the Police Recruit position are represented by the Association of Chula Vista Employees (ACE) and receive benefits afforded to ACE-represented employees. After successfully completing the Police Academy, the Police Recruit will automatically promote to the classification of Peace Officer, a position represented by the Chula Vista Police Officers' Association (POA) and receive benefits outlined in the POA Memorandum of Understanding. Click here to view POA benefit summary information.  

Personal Qualifications
Please click here for a list of disqualifying criteria.

Must possess a good character and reputation; superior self-command, alertness, and judgment; ability to establish and maintain good working and public relations. Conviction of a serious offense, repeated or numerous convictions for minor offenses, conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude, or discharge from the military service under other than honorable conditions may be disqualifying. Candidates will be subject to a thorough background investigation, a voice stress analysis, and after a conditional offer of employment, a psychological and medical evaluation.

Recruitment and Selection Process - Applicants must pass ALL of the following assessments: 

Application Review
Applications will be reviewed to ensure that candidates meet the age, licensing, citizenship, and education requirements. All statements made in the application materials are subject to verification; false statements will be cause for disqualification or discharge.

Written Examination - Tentative Dates: 10/15; 11/13, 12/10; 1/22  (more will be added as needed)
The written examination is a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Test Battery that has two components:
1. Reading Component - measures reading comprehension
2. Writing Component - measures clarity, vocabulary, and spelling

The written exam takes approximately 3.5 hours to administer. This includes thirty minutes for the proctor to read the test instructions and for the applicants to code demographic information on machine-readable forms. The scoring procedure is automated thus requiring the applicants to code their names, addresses, social security numbers, etc., on the forms.  Two and one-half (2.5) hours are allowed for actual completion of the test battery.

POST scores the written examination. Results are released 2 - 3 weeks after the written exam. Successful candidates are eligible to continue in the selection process. Candidates who are unsuccessful on the written exam will not be eligible to continue in the selection process, however may re-apply, and test at a future date.

The Applicant Preparation Guide for the POST Entry-Level Test Battery provides a thorough overview of the test, practice test items, and test taking strategies. For more information click here (Download PDF reader).

POST 30-Day Rule: Applicants must wait for a period of one month (30 calendar days) before taking a subsequent exam. If you have taken or will take the POST PELLETB exam 30 days prior to our scheduled exam, you are INELIGIBLE to take the written exam.
 
PELLETB Written Test Waiver Information: 

If you possess POST PELLETB written exam results from another agency AND the letter is dated within 6 months prior to our test date; you may submit these results with your application.  Only applicants with a Tscore of 46 and above will be invited to continue in the process.

If you possess an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university OR have a foreign equivalency certificate, you may waive the PELLETB written test.  You must submit a copy of your diploma or transcripts confirming your degree with your application in order to waive the PELLETB written test.

If you are submitting a foreign equivalency certificate, the accrediting association must be recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.  This means the accrediting association must hold full membership in the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), or hold full membership in AdvancED, or hold full membership in the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), or is an accrediting association recognized by the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations (NFNSSAA).

Officer Background Questionnaire 
The background questionnaire is a confidential questionnaire designed to assist the Police Department in conducting a preliminary suitability screening. This confidential questionnaire will be given on the day of the physical agility test. You are required to pass both to continue in the selection process.  

Physical Agility Test (PAT) and All-Day Process - Tentative Dates: 10/11; 11/8 (more will be added as needed)
The Physical Agility Test (PAT) is developed to assess fitness and agility capabilities necessary to perform the duties of a Peace Officer. Test events are designed to simulate actual areas of police work. The PAT is comprised of :

1) 1.5 mile run in under 14 minutes (must pass to complete the PAT) 

2) Obstacle Course; Body Drag (lift and drag a 165-pound lifelike dummy 32-feet); solid fence climb (run 5 yards to a solid fence, climb over fence, continue running another 25 yards); and 500-yard run.