Police Officer Recruit (Pre Service/Academy Graduate)

City of Glendale, CA; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The City of Glendale, CA is seeking an entry-level Police Officer Recruit for the Glendale Police Department. This non-sworn position participates in post-academic training and advances to sworn status upon successful completion of requirements.

Applicants must meet California POST prerequisites, pass required exams, and maintain a strong commitment to community‑oriented policing. A comprehensive benefits package is offered to full-time staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Current enrollment in a California POST Basic Academy with a letter of enrollment must be submitted; graduates must provide completion certificate within 1 year.
• Valid Class C California driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service to the public and vendors.
• Respond to calls for service and document incidents with written reports.
• Emphasize a Community‑Based Policing approach and collaborate with the community.
• Perform duties safely and efficiently while pursuing departmental objectives.

Skills

Exceptional customer service

Independent judgment

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

California POST Basic Academy enrollment/graduation

Valid California driver’s license (Class C)

Job description

The Position Join the Best! Earn up to $157,000 a year!** We are a full service agency, offering a variety of specialized assignments – from helicopter pilot to K9 handler, we have a career path for you! The Glendale Police Department (GPD) is currently looking for individuals who are committed to keeping Glendale one of the safest big cities in America. Experience what it’s like to partner with a community that supports its Police Department. If you are looking for plenty of opportunities for advancement, and taking pride in providing the highest level of service to the community, Glendale PD is for you! ** This figure includes incentive pays, e.g., detective pay, longevity pay, and educational (POST certificate) pay.

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit an application AND complete the "Law Enforcement - Frontline National" exam through the National Testing Network at www.NationalTestingNetwork.com by December 1, 2026 and no earlier than one (1) year from the time of application. Make sure to select the City of Glendale in order to share your results with our agency.

Candidates for this entry-level position must be currently attending or have graduated from a California POST approved Basic Police Academy. Academy attendees MUST provide a letter from the academy verifying current enrollment. Academy graduates MUST provide a copy of an Academy graduation certificate showing proof of graduation within the past one year.

This entry-level, non-sworn classification participates in post‑academy training.

Essential functions of the job include, but are not limited to, the following:

All Classifications May Perform The Following Essential Functions

• Ensures Department services are provided with exceptional customer service and the highest level of ethical standards.
• Responds to calls for service regarding accidents, emergencies, crimes, threats, altercations and/or requests for aid. Provides information and assistance to the public.
• Emphasizes a Community‑Based Policing philosophy focused on community interaction and collaborative problem solving.
• Administers first aid to injured persons. Interviews, interrogates and records statements from witnesses, suspects and victims. Identifies relevant facts and prepares written reports on incidents and cases assigned.
• Apprehend suspects by driving safely at high speeds, chasing suspects on foot, climbing over obstacles, physically subduing suspects, utilizing self‑defense and arrest control techniques, and utilizing firearms under appropriate conditions.
• Enforces traffic laws, directs traffic, issues citations and warnings. Investigates accidents and accident scenes.
• Investigates matters involving juveniles, reports of child neglect and juvenile delinquency. Refers juveniles to the appropriate authorities.
• Serves subpoenas, serves warrants, testifies in court, marks and stores evidence, apprehends suspects, makes arrests as prescribed by law, and confers with City/District Attorney's Office to provide information for case preparation.
• Assumes responsibility for ensuring the duties of the position are performed in a safe, efficient manner.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation requires.

Minimum Requirements

An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Experience

None.

Education/Training

Graduation from high school or attainment of a State Board of Education issued certificate of proficiency, or attainment of a GED certificate, CHSPE certificate, HiSET certificate, or CPP certificate.

Academy Attendee: Current enrollment in a California POST Basic Academy. A letter from the academy verifying current enrollment MUST be submitted at the time of application.

Academy Graduate: Must have completed a California POST Basic Academy within 1 year from the time of application. A copy of a California POST Basic Academy completion certificate MUST be submitted with the application.

License(s)/Certification(s)

Valid Class C California driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of and skill in:

Exceptional customer service practices.

Skill In

Making independent judgments and decisions based upon standard policy or procedure.

Ability To

• Provide exceptional customer service to all employees and vendors.
• Model and practice the highest standards of ethical conduct.
• Deal calmly with angry, upset, and frightened people.
• Develop necessary skills from on‑the‑job training and meet the standards of performance for the classification by the end of the probationary period.
• Establish smooth working relationships and effectively resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Emphasize a Community‑Based Policing philosophy focused on community interaction and collaborative problem solving.
• Foster a teamwork environment.
• Read, write and comprehend directions in English.
• Remain poised and controlled in threatening or violent situations.
• Write clear, accurate, detailed reports based on field notes of events.

Willingness to:

• Assume responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment.
• Work overtime as requested.

Special Conditions

Applicants must be of good moral character, with no felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude. Must be a minimum of 21 years of age at the time of appointment as a Police Officer. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. TATTOO POLICY: Unless otherwise exempted by the Chief of Police, no employee or volunteer of the Glendale Police Department shall have any visible tattoos, body art, or other skin markings while on duty – in uniform, business attire, or casual dress. Tattoos, body art, and/or other skin markings shall be completely covered by the authorized on‑duty uniform (e.g. long sleeve uniform), business attire, or casual dress. Marks or scars from injuries or medical procedures are exempt from these policy restrictions. For further information regarding this policy, please contact the Professional Standards Bureau at [phone].

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge and/or use of personal computers.

Medical/Psychological Standards

All candidates must pass a pre‑placement medical examination and a psychological evaluation. https://post.ca.gov/medical-screening-manual

Hearing

Acceptable as to City standards.

Residence

Within four months of employment, all employees of the Glendale Police Department are required to live within a radius of sixty contiguous land miles of the Glendale Civic Center.

Exceptional Customer Service Policy

The City of Glendale places a high importance on quality customer service and prides itself for the high level of services it provides by every employee of the organization. As employees of the City of Glendale, we are committed to providing our diverse community and each other with courteous, considerate, and personal attention.

Selection Process

WRITTEN EXAM

Must complete the "Law Enforcement - Frontline National" exam through the National Testing Network at www.NationalTestingNetwork.com December 1 and no earlier than one (1) year from the time of application. Make sure to select the City of Glendale in order to share your results with our agency.

When You Visit The Www.NationalTestingNetwork.com Website

• Select "Exams"
• Select "Law Enforcement Jobs"
• Under "California", check "Glendale, Police Officer Recruit"
• Select "Continue"
• Review information about the testing process and agency and follow instructions as prompted.

The minimum NTN exam passing score for the City of Glendale is:

Video Score: 65%

Writing Score: 70%

Reading Score: 70%

Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to the City of Glendale. Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry level exam will be referred to the City of Glendale’s candidate list. The City of Glendale will contact candidates AFTER THIS BULLETIN CLOSES and will invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

EVALUATION OF APPLICATION

Submitted Police Officer Recruit application will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the minimum requirements. All qualifying applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

PASS/FAIL. This Physical Agility Test includes: a stair climb with equipment, obstacle climb over, obstacle climb under, obstacle jump over, 165 pound dummy drag, trigger pull, beam walk, and stair descent with equipment.

Physical Agility Test November 21, 2026

PRELIMINARY BACKGROUND QUESTIONAIRE

PASS/FAIL. To determine whether the candidate meets the background investigation standards of the Glendale Police Department.

ORAL INTERVIEW

Weight of 100%. To evaluate the applicant's experience, education, and personal fitness for the position.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on all finalists, which will review and verify personal history including, but not limited to financial responsibility, criminal history, drug use history, driving record, and verification of application materials. Significant issues or omissions in the above‑stated areas may be grounds for disqualification. Background investigation will include a polygraph and Livescan fingerprinting. For further information, please contact the Professional Standards Bureau at [phone].

Note

An equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training may substitute for the listed minimum requirements.

ENTRY-LEVEL EXAMINATION

Veteran's Credit Awarded. Proof of honorable discharge (DD214) from U.S. Armed Forces must be attached to your application.

TIME AND PLACE OF THE EXAMINATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED.

Evaluations will be based on the candidate's education and experience relevant to the position. Examinations will assess evaluate the candidate's education, experience, knowledge and skills related to the job. The City of Glendale reserves the right to modify the examination components or their weighting. If changes are necessary, candidates will be informed of the specific examination components and their weight before the examination is administered. The selected candidate will undergo a background check, including Livescan fingerprinting. The City of Glendale complies with state and federal obligations to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with special needs are encouraged to inform the Human Resources Department at least five days before the first examination to ensure reasonable accommodations can be arranged. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract.

The City of Glendale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and long‑term disability insurance.

The above listed benefits apply to full‑time, salaried positions only.