Out of Town Applicants
(Living 100 Miles or More From San Diego)
Applicants living 100 miles or more from San Diego are encouraged to apply for our condensed process.
The first step in the process is to apply online for the written test.
https://www.sandiego.gov/join-san-diego-police-department/apply
Within the application you will select a Written Test date. Select the test marked ***OUT OF TOWN PROCESS***. If the applicant successfully passes the Written Test on that Friday, they will take the Physical Abilities Test the same afternoon. The next day, Saturday, the applicant will automatically be scheduled to take their Pre-Investigative Questionnaire.
Please note: The Written Test is Waived for applicants having a Bachelor’s/Graduate degree or a Pellet B score of 46+ within the past two years. If an applicant is qualified to have the test waived, they can take the Physical Abilities Test and Pre-Investigative Questionnaire Saturday morning.
If an applicant is selected to move forward, they will make two more trips out to San Diego:
Trip 2: Detective Interview & Polygraph
Trip 3: Lieutenant Interview, Psychological Evaluation & Medical Evaluation
Out of Town California Laterals
The San Diego Police Department is accepting lateral applications.
Laterals fall under two hiring classifications: Police Officer I and Police Officer II. Please review a more detailed description of the requirements at the below link:
https://www.sandiego.gov/police/recruiting/opportunities/lateral
The first step in the process is to apply online. Once an application is submitted, City Testing will verify the application and instruct them to contact the Backgrounds Unit directly to schedule the Preliminary Investigative Questionnaire. The Written Test and Physical Abilities Test will be waived.
If an applicant is selected to move forward, they will make two more trips out to San Diego:
Trip 2: Detective Interview & Polygraph
Trip 3: Lieutenant Interview, Psychological Evaluation & Medical Evaluation
Out of State Laterals
The San Diego Police Department is accepting out-of-state lateral applications.
Laterals fall under two hiring classifications: Police Officer I and Police Officer II. Please review a more detailed description of the requirements at the below link:
https://www.sandiego.gov/police/recruiting/opportunities/lateral.
The San Diego Police Department requires all sworn personnel obtain a California P.O.S.T. Certificate or P.O.S.T. waiver (https://post.ca.gov/basic-course-waiver-process ). A qualified out-of-state applicant who lacks the required California P.O.S.T. Certificate may apply. If hired, PAID attendance at the San Diego Regional Police Academy will be required to satisfy the California state certification requirements. This certification is necessary to work as a Police Officer for the City of San Diego. While attending the academy, new hires will be paid at either the POI or POII rate. The academy is six months long, non-live in, Monday-Friday, 0700-1530 hours, with weekends off.
The first step in the process is to apply online. Once an application is submitted, City Testing will verify the application and confirm the applicant’s Physical Abilities Test and Pre-Investigative Questionnaire date. The Written Test will be waived.
If an applicant is selected to move forward, they will make two more trips out to San Diego:
Trip 2: Detective Interview & Polygraph
Trip 3: Lieutenant Interview, Psychological Evaluation & Medical Evaluation
If you have any questions please contact sdpdrecruiting@pd.sandiego.gov
Background Office 619-531-2148
City of San Diego Personnel Department
1200 3rd Avenue, Suite 101A
San Diego, CA 92101-6467
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, or Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-236-6358