Police Officer Recruit (ONE-DAY TESTING EVENT)

City of Downey

Downey (CA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

The City of Downey is hosting a one-day testing event for its Police Department recruitment, with fast-tracked screening and a January 2027 academy start. Applications close September 30, 2026, at 6:00 pm.

Candidates will complete an online application with required supplemental information and essay. Selected applicants proceed to written testing, physical agility, and oral interview stages the same day, leading to potential placement as Police Recruit and, after academy, sworn officer.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Criminal justice coursework helpful.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Able to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Participate in the Police Recruit/Officer selection process.
Support the Police Academy preparation and related training.
Assist in testing events and candidate evaluation.
Prepare and submit required reports and documentation.
Assist in field training and patrol operations after academy completion.

Skills

Analytical skills

Decision making

Interpersonal skills

Written reporting

PC literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Criminal justice coursework

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

JOIN THE DOWNEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Are you interested in an exciting career in law enforcement? Now is an excellent time to apply as the City is hosting a ONE-DAY testing event on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the City of Downey Wilderness Park (10999 Little Lake Road, Downey, CA 90241). Applicants to this recruitment will be fast tracked through the normal recruitment in a condensed timeframe in an effort to start the police academy in January of 2027. This means that if selected you can begin your exciting career and start receiving excellent pay and benefits as early as January of 2027. This is an intensive one day testing process, so applicants should plan on being available on Saturday, November 7, 2026 , from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Your Future Starts Here! Don't miss this opportunity to start a rewarding career in law enforcement.

NOTE: Testing will be conducted based on a reasonable pool of qualified applicants. Please thoroughly review the entire job flyer including the application instructions. Failure to submit a completed application and provide required documentation may result in an application being removed from further consideration.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION REVIEW & SELECTION TESTING PROCESS

Online Application

All interested applicants must complete an online application through govermentjobs.com for consideration by the closing deadline of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 6:00 pm. Applications, along with the required corresponding supplemental information and required documentation (As outlined below), will then be thoroughly reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification. Incomplete applications will be removed from consideration.

PART I - Application Review (Pass/Fail) – An employment application, one-page, double spaced written essay, and supplemental questionnaire are required. All information provided is subject to verification. Incomplete applications will be removed from consideration. A thorough and complete review of all applications received will be conducted. Those applicants who are assessed as meeting the position qualifications and desired background experience for successful performance in the position of Police Recruit and sworn Police Officer will be invited to continue in the selection process.

REQUIRED ESSAY QUESTION

As part of your application, please submit a one-page, double-spaced written response addressing the following: Why do you want to work for the Downey Police Department.

The document must not exceed one page, double-spaced, and should be submitted in PDF or Word format. The use of AI tools to write your essay question is not permitted.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" or attaching a resume is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

PART II - Written Examination

Applicants successful in Part I listed above will be invited to participate in the written examination on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The written exam will be a 100 item multiple choice test. An applicant must receive a minimum score of 70% in each of the examination components to be eligible to continue in Parts III of the examination process.

The written exam will be waived for candidates that have taken the California P.O.S.T. PELLET-B EXAM WITHING ONE (1) YEAR OF DATE OF APPLICATION AND RECEIVED A T-SCORE OF 42. CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO ATTACH PROOF OF THEIR QUALIFYING T-SCORE ON AGENCY LETTERHEAD FROM THE AGENCY THAT ADMINISTERED THE EXAM WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

NOTE: The City of Downey reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to continue in the recruitment process based on higher achieved on the written examination.

PART III - Qualifying Physical Agility (Pass/Fail)

Applicants successful in Part II listed above will be invited to the qualifying physical agility assessment on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the City of Downey Wilderness Park. The physical agility assessment is evaluated on a point basis. The components of the physical agility are:

1.5 mile run (Max time allowance 15 minutes)

500 yard run (Max time 3 minutes and 19 seconds)

Climbing oversix-foot walls(chain link and solid wall)

99 yard obstacle course

Lifting and dragging adummy

30 pushups (Max time allowance 2 minutes)

30 sit-ups (Max time allowance 2 minutes)

PART IV - Oral Interview/Appraisal (100% weight)

Applicants successful in Part III listed above will be invited to participate in an oral interview, Saturday, November 7, 2026. This testing component will assess the candidate's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to successfully perform in the position. This examination will be a panel interview conducted by subject matter experts.

*Examination dates are subject to change based on the number of qualified candidates testing.

The Police Officer Recruit is a non-sworn training position. An incumbent is required to complete a formal and comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Basic Academy training program sponsored by the City of Downey. A full-time Basic Academy can be approximately four to six months. Upon completion of training and graduation from the Academy with acceptable class standing, a candidate is eligible for placement consideration in the position of sworn Police Officer with the City of Downey.

ABOUT THE POLICE ACADEMY

The Academy provides training in basic criminal investigation processes and techniques; preparation of various reports; analysis of situations to make appropriate decisions under stressful situations; testify and present evidence in court, and practices and theory in criminal and civil law enforcement.

A qualified candidate for the Police Recruit position must be prepared and available to attend a full-time Basic Academy.

The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to each classification.

Police Recruit

While enrolled in the Police Basic Academy an incumbent must:

Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer, including training in report writing, laws of arrest and seizure, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival, and physical fitness.

Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program.

Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct.

Sworn Police Officer

Following graduation from the Academy and upon appointment to the position, essential duties include:

Upon completion of the Academy, sworn police officer will be assigned to a 22-week POST approved Field Training program. During the field training process, the employee must show proficiency in City orientation, patrol and safety tactics, traffic enforcement, applicable laws, departmental policies and procedures and other police related functions.

Upon completion of the FTO program patrols assigned area in patrol car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, and to enforce traffic regulations; responds to calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, robberies, disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies, and take necessary police action; make arrests; take charge of, and guide and direct the work of other law enforcement personnel in various situations until relieved by a supervisor officer.

Conducts motor vehicle accident investigations; provides first aid for injured persons, and take safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses; takes written statements and examines conditions of accident scene; and clears or directs clearing of obstructions and wreckage.

Investigates crimes against persons and property; interviews victims and witnesses; searches for, evaluates and secures/collects evidence; and arrests suspected perpetrator(s).

Investigates complaints involving juveniles, including reports of child neglect and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors; checks business establishments and public places known to be frequented by juveniles; and arrests juvenile and adult offenders.

Processes warrants and apprehends or assists in the apprehension of wanted persons by court orders or actions in criminal cases.

Maintains knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, rules of evidence for criminal cases, crime prevention techniques, current investigation techniques, traffic control techniques, care and custody of persons and property.

Prepares and submits required reports and provides assistance, information, and directions to the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Successfully complete the City of Downey Police Department Field Training Program; requires the ability to meet and maintain POST physical standards; possess analytical and decision making skills and ability to identify problems, weigh solutions, recognize alternatives and their implications independently and quickly; possess interpersonal skills to effectively interact with those encountered in the performance of duties, specifically within a diverse population, including surrounding communities; skill in speaking clearly using appropriate vocabulary to provide information and relate evidence in court; ability to exercise authority in both physical and verbal actions in activities which may involve hostility and resistance; skill and ability to write accurate and descriptive reports; and, skill in using a personal computer and keyboard. Ability to learn and maintain acceptable working knowledge, including safety considerations on the operation and use of assigned equipment and tools required in the performance of duties.

License Requirement

Due to the performance of field patrol duties, possession of a valid California Driver's License and possession of an acceptable driving record and the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record during the course of employment is required.

High school diploma or equivalent

21 years of age upon appointment

Of good moral character and free of felony convictions

Legally authorized to work in the United States

Experience and Education

No previous law enforcement experience or Police Academy training required. High school diploma or equivalent required. Completed formal education or coursework in criminal justice or a related field that provides knowledge or exposure to law enforcement or public safety service is helpful.

POLICE OFFICER SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS