| Full Time Become a Long Beach Police Officer 
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PAGE (click here)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- 20 years of age or older at time of application
- High school diploma or G.E.D equivalency
- Have no physical or mental limitations that might prevent the completion of any duty assignment
- Have 20/20 vision, uncorrected, or no more than 20/100 vision correctable to 20/20
- Possess a valid driver's license
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who has applied for citizenship at least one year before applying for employment with the Police Department.
- Misdemeanor driving convictions will be evaluated on a case by case basis depending on type, frequency and disposition.
- You may not be on court ordered probation at the time of application or hire.
- NO FELONY CONVICTIONS
 | | The Police Recruit Selection Process consists of two phases: Civil Service Department Testing Process (Phase I) and Police Department Review and Selection Process (Phase II). A workshop jointly sponsored by the Civil Service and Police Departments is designed to help potential candidates gain a clear understanding of department expectations. Candidates may also apply for (Experienced) LATERAL POLICE OFFICER on a continuous basis. |
Civil Service Department Testing Process (Phase I)
The testing process for the position of Police Recruit begins with the application, which should be filled out completely by candidates by the close of filing. Hard copy applications should be returned to the Civil Service Department located at 333 W. Ocean Blvd., 7th floor, Long Beach, CA 90802. Candidates meeting the minimum requirements to file an application are invited to the written and video scenario examination, which are conducted in one day. Test dates will be determined, scheduled shortly after the recruitment period. Applicants must recieve a confirmation invitation from Civil Service in order to participate in above-mentioned exams. Police Recruits are not required to have prior knowledge or experience in law or police procedure. The written examination is a general knowledge test that measures an applicant’s abilities to learn and apply police information, to remember details, to complete reports, to interpret maps and accident diagrams and to use judgment and logic. The video scenario places candidates in police related situations. These scenarios measure the candidate’s ability to handle the following:
 | | Human Interaction Skills Unbiased Enforcement Situational Judgments Social Maturity Appropriate Use of Force
The video scenario is weighted qualifying and the written examination is weighted 100%. This means that the score received on the written examination will determine a candidate’s placement on the resulting eligible list. Candidates must receive a minimum score of 70. Candidates rated 70 and above are considered qualified and eligible to continue on to the second phase of the selection process. |
Police Department Review and Selection Process (Phase II)
The next phase of the selection process begins when a candidate receives a certified letter of invitation to attend a Police Recruit Orientation held at the Long Beach Police Academy.
The Police Recruit Orientation marks the beginning of the evaluation process by the Police Department. Candidates invited to the orientation should be aware that Police Department Academy staff begins the screening and selection process as soon as they see a candidate enter the Academy grounds. Candidates should keep this in mind and conduct themselves accordingly. The following outline provides a preview of the orientation: - A description of the Police Department Review and Selection Process, including a discussion of selection standards, tentative hiring dates, the number of vacancies and an explanation of the background investigation process.
- Instructions on completing essential forms that include a background questionnaire, an extensive Personal history statement (PHS) that requests information on present and past employers, education and other personal history data forms.
- An explanation of the tests administered by the Police Department: the Psychological Written Examination and the Physical Ability Test. In short, candidates should be prepared to spend the whole day (usually a Saturday or Sunday) at the Long Beach Police Academy and should be mentally and physically ready to start the process.
The Physical Ability Test
The Physical Ability Test (PAT) is given the day of the Police Recruit Orientation and requires each candidate to perform the following obstacle course within a specified time:
Run 300 feetScale a six foot solid wall (2 attempts) Negotiate a 16 foot long balance beam (2 attempts) Run another 300 feet Squeeze a grip-strength measuring device Mandatory rest of 30 seconds Run 50 feet to a dummy Drag a 165 lb. dummy 50 feet
Candidates unable to complete the Physical Ability Test may retake the test within a week and may schedule practice sessions. Practice sessions may also be arranged with the academy staff before attending the orientation. Interested individuals must present their letters of invitation to the orientation to schedule a practice session. For information on arranging practice sessions, call the Long Beach Police Academy at (562) 570-5890.
 | | Applicants will then be required to perform as many PUSH-UPS as able (up to 40) Timed 1-1/2 mile on a flat, out and back course. |
The push-ups and 1 1/2 mile run are not a Pass/Fail event, but will be used to better assess each candidate's physical fitness readiness to participate in the Long Beach Academy Physical Training Program. Following the Police Recruit Orientation, the Psychological Examination and the Physical Ability Test, applicants are scheduled for the next steps in the selection process.
Oral Interview Candidates are scheduled for an oral interview at the Police Academy. The Oral panel consists of one Long Beach Police Officer and one Citizen from the Long Beach Community. Several structured questions will be posed to each candidate. The questions are designed to evaluate candidate's knowledge of relevant topics and to assess each candidate's communication skills.
Background Assessment Interview
The Background Assessment Interview is called the “Chief’s Interview” and is conducted by Background Investigators who represent the Chief of Police.
The Background Investigators review each candidate’s responses on the Background Questionnaire, the extensive PHS and other forms completed during the Police Recruit Orientation. Information gathered during the Background Assessment Interview will be checked and verified during other stages of the overall Background Investigation. It is expected that candidates will be candid and honest with the Background Investigator during this interview and with all information provided.
Background Investigation
 | | Candidates will take a Polygraph Examination that will inquire into areas including illegal activity, recent or prolonged involvement with illegal drugs, and other possible unlawful behavior. Information obtained from the personal history document, polygraph and any other relevant documents will be compiled during the course of the background investigation. |
Criminal inquiries will be made at the local, county, state, national and, if necessary, the international level. Driver history inquiries will be made where appropriate.
Personal: Name, aliases, birthdate, social security number, tattoos, citizenship, etc.Relatives and Acquaintances: Reference checks related to your suitability to be a Police Officer. Education: High School(s), college(s), trade school(s), etc. and any other sources of diplomas, certificates and degrees received or in progress. Residence: Residences for the last 10 years.Experience and Employment: History of employment and volunteer services; job related inquiries with past and current employers and co-workers. Military Service: Registration with the Selective Service System and evaluation of Military Service Record, if applicable. Financial: Inquiries relative to responsibility, dependability, and liability as these relate to meeting financial obligations. You will be asked to submit an Experian Credit Report with other required documentation. Legal: Investigation of all possible and actual criminal conduct; arrests and or convictions evaluated on a case by case basis. (A misdemeanor conviction in and of itself is not necessarily a disqualifying factor). Motor Vehicle Operation: Behavior as it relates to driving ability and required automobile insurance.
Medical Examination
 | | Candidates are required to pass a medical examination and drug screen test.
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Selection Standards
P.O.S.T. sets the minimum standards for peace officers in the state of California. P.O.S.T. guidelines provide five (5) major categories that we consider during the hiring process. 1. Moral Character - Integrity, Impulse Control/Attention to Safety, Substance Abuse and Other Risk-Taking Behavior 2. Handling Stress and Adversity - which includes Stress Tolerance and Confronting and Overcoming Problems, Obstacles and Adversity 3. Work Habits - Conscientiousness, Dependability and Attention to Detail 4. Interactions with Others - which includes Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork 5. Intellectually-Based Abilities - Decision-Making and Judgment, Learning Ability, and Communication Skills
For further, refer P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards & Training) website.
Selection Committee Applicants who complete all aspects of the background investigation phase of the hiring process progress to a Selection phase of the hiring process, conducted by the Selection Committee of the Long Beach Police Department. Police Recruit Preparation Workshops will be scheduled by the Civil Service Department at (562) 570-6202. To arrange a visit to the Long Beach Police Academy call (562) 570-5388. You may email a recruiter at PD_PoliceRecruiter@longbeach.gov
For More Information, please contact us at:
City of Long Beach
Civil Service Department
333 W. Ocean Blvd, 7th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-6202
www.longbeach.gov/civilservice
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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