Police Recruit

Garden Grove Police Department; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual skill incentives

Job summary

Garden Grove's Police Department is seeking a Police Recruit to begin a California POST-approved Basic Academy with 984 hours of rigorous training in law enforcement techniques, laws, and procedures. Recruits receive medical and dental benefits during academy enrollment.

Upon academy graduation, recruits may be hired as sworn officers based on performance, referrals, and position availability. New officers face an 18-month probation, with compensation starting at $8,440 per month plus full

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 by academy completion and at least 20 at application time.
• Graduation from an accredited high school or successful GED.
• Eligible for employment in the United States.
• Possess a valid California Class 'C' driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Able to carry a firearm and no felony convictions.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Attend a California POST-approved Basic Academy.
• Receive 984 hours of training in law enforcement topics and procedures.
• Possible progression to sworn officer after academy performance and availability.
• Undergo 18-month probation as a new police officer.

Skills

Attention to detail

Oral & written communication

Customer service

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

POLICE RECRUIT

Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Monday, November 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST

GARDEN GROVE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Police Department consists of 182 sworn staff including a chief, three (3) captains, seven (7) lieutenants, 23 sergeants and 148 police officers, in addition to civilian personnel. After sufficient experience in the department, specialization is available in Patrol, Investigations, Juvenile Services, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Vice-Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Suppression Unit, Community Impact Unit, or Canine Handler. An outstanding in-service training program provides officers with extensive, continuous instruction in basic and specialized police techniques. Patrol officers work a modified 3/12.5 work schedule.

BEING A POLICE RECRUIT

Candidates who are successful in our selection process will be hired in a non-sworn capacity as a Police Recruit and placed in a California POST-approved Basic Academy. Recruits then receive 984 hours of rigorous and intense training in all aspects of law enforcement. Recruits are eligible for medical and dental benefits while in the academy.

Following academy graduation, a Police Recruit may be hired as a sworn police officer based on overall academy performance, evaluations, referrals and availability of positions. The Recruit's performance will be subject to review by City staff to determine appointment as a regular police officer. All new police officers serve an 18-month probationary period. Compensation for police officers starts at $8,440 per month, with full benefits, additional compensation for certified bilingual skills, and great educational incentives.

DUTIES WHILE IN THE POLICE ACADEMY

Police Recruits attend a California POST-approved Basic Academy to participate in a strict and intensive training program, including: memorization and hands-on practice of law enforcement techniques, specific laws and procedures; rigorous physical training; daily homework; first aid training; uniform, equipment and weapons handling techniques; and other duties as assigned. This is all designed to provide an in-depth overview of the criminal justice system and what is necessary to be a successful and well-prepared police officer.

AGE:

Applicants must be 21 years of age upon completion of the academy training in order to be appointed to a position of sworn police officer. Applicants must be at least 20 years of age at time of application.

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be in excellent physical condition, and able to perform all tasks required of a Garden Grove police officer. Vision: Bilateral vision must be at least 20/100 correctable to 20/30 with no evidence of color blindness. Hearing: Hearing aids are not acceptable. Applicants with an average hearing loss of 26 dB in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, or more, in their better ear; and 46 dB in the 3000 c.p.s. range in the other ear are disqualified. (ANSI standard).

WORK AUTHORIZATION:

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States under federal law.

CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE & DRIVING RECORD:

Applicants must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license and an acceptable driving record prior to and throughout employment. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions.

ADDITIONAL ABILITIES & SKILLS:

Applicants must demonstrate that they possess: the ability to pay close attention to detail; the ability to understand and accurately apply oral and written instructions, laws, orders, policies and procedures; effective oral communication, record keeping and report writing skills; strong customer service skills; and the ability to work closely, cooperatively and effectively with City staff members, Garden Grove's diverse citizens and various representatives of other agencies.

BILINGUAL SKILLS:

Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS

• APPLICATION SCREENING
• WRITTEN EXAMINATION

  Test scores must be received by the deadline of Monday, November 30, 2026 from one of the two test options below. Failure to complete one of the options below may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. Candidates may submit existing test scores that were taken within the prior year but still valid on November 30, 2026. Test scores must meet the minimum passing score(s) to be accepted.

  National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam

  Passing score: 61.5 on Human Relations, 65 on Reading, and 65 on Writing

This exam is administered directly by the NTN and candidates pay a test fee f