Joining the Sacramento Police Department is a very specific process and one that you will have to pay attention to as much as you can. Being a part of the Sacramento Police Department is a privilege, and there are some specific requirements if you want to become a part of the unit. Here are the things you need to check out if you want to join the Sacramento Police Department.
Send the application
You can send the application directly to the Sacramento Police Department website. It’s important to complete all the points accurately, and make sure that you read all the directions to avoid errors.
Written exam
One might get the POST PELLETB exam if you don’t have a T Score of 45 or higher. The test preparation is important, and you will need to have a good score to move onward.
Pre-screening questionnaire
A thing to consider here is that you will receive a short questionnaire about your background. You need to offer it until the deadline and it needs to be accurate. They will screen you, which means that if you are not honest you will not be able to become an officer for the Sacramento Police Department.
Pre-employment questionnaire
Provided that you dealt with all of the above, you will go to the Oral Panel and then you will have to complete numerous documents. This includes the personal history statement. You need to complete a questionnaire session where you write a short essay. You will need to cover financial, driving and employment history, if you had any illegal conducts or personal relationships, among others.
Physical agility test
This test is very challenging and the passing score for it is 348 points. WSTB scores from other agencies are not accepted. The Sacramento Police Department has a great description of the test requirements and workout guidelines.
Background investigation
As stated above, the Sacramento Police Department will do a background check and any persons that lied in their questionnaire will be removed from the process. This might take up to 3-6 weeks, depending on the situation.
Final points
After the investigation is complete, you will have to go through a polygraph examination. This helps assess the truthfulness during the process. If it’s all good, you will receive a conditional job offer. You will have to go through a psychological and medical exam at the end of the process so you can accept the job offer.
In the end, becoming a cop for the Sacramento Police Department is a long process, but it’s pretty straightforward. This career is amazing for a lot of people and it comes with its own perks. It’s definitely a bit challenging at times, but as you can see from the guidelines, proper preparation and focus will help you a lot. That’s especially true for the written and physical exams, that can be rather challenging at times. But if you complete them properly, results can be amazing. Use these tips and guidelines, prepare for the exams and challenges and you will become a cop for the Sacramento Police Department!
Selection & Training
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years of age with 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university. They must be free of felony convictions and felony drug use as an adult. Applicants who pass the written exam will have to pass a physical agility test. The physical agility test must be passed yearly.
Additional information is available. Call the Human Resources Office at (916) 808-0880.
Recruit Training:
The Sacramento Police Academy is part of the Office of Administrative Services. Training is essentially broken down into three components: recruit, in-service, and specialized.
Recruits are hired after a lengthy selection process and normally work 7:30 am to 5:00 pm for twenty-three (23) weeks. They receive 26 hours in basic criminal law, 90 hours of firearms training not including chemical agents (P.O.S.T. requires 72 hours including chemical agents), 100 hours of arrest, control, and baton (P.O.S.T. requires 60 hours), 70 hours of physical training (P.O.S.T. requires 40 hours), 21 hours of C.P.R. (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) and first aid, 24 hours of vehicle operations, and 64 hours of report writing (P.O.S.T. requires 40 hours).
After Graduation:
Rookie officers are on probation for 18 months while they train/patrol with Field Training Officers (FTO). They ride with one FTO for one month. The rookie officers then ride with another FTO for another month. This process continues until the probationary officers have successfully passed four phases of training. During the fourth phase the probationary officer is solo.
In-service Training:
In-service training, Advanced Officers Training consists of forty (40) hours. Updates in criminal/constitutional law, management, officer survival, administrative issues, arrest procedures, driving, and arrest control and baton are part of the topics covered. A written test is administered at the end of the week which requires a passing score.
Officers must qualify with their firearm quarterly. Officers must pass the physical agility test annually. The test consists of dragging a 165 pound dummy for 30 feet, a 6′ foot solid wall climb, a 6′ foot chain link fence climb, a 99 yard obstacle course and a 500 yard run. Officers must score a minimum of 384 points.
