Police Officer - San Francisco Police Department (Q002) - City and County of San Francisco

Clerically amended on January 10, 2025, to reflect changes for the Written Examination.

Join a highly respected Police Department and serve the citizens of one of the most beautiful cities in the country. San Francisco is a world-class city with a world-class police team. From Fisherman’s Wharf to Golden Gate Park and from Nob Hill to the Tenderloin, whether we’re on foot patrol, horseback, or in squad cars, responding to emergencies or leading classes on public safety, we’d love to work with you in keeping our community safe. 

Application Opening: November 1, 2022 to Continuous

Compensation Range: https://www.joinsfpd.com/faq

Recruitment ID: X00018

Here’s a Golden Opportunity, Become a San Francisco Police Officer!

San Francisco Police Officers perform a wide variety of essential duties to promote safety with respect. This is much more than a job; it is an opportunity to build a career of which you can be proud.

Essential Duties
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Prepares for work; receives instruction from platoon commander regarding assignment (beat) and/or specific patrol targets during daily line-up; inspects patrol car, equipment and weapons to ensure proper operation.
2. Patrols the district on foot or in patrol car; operates Mobile Video Terminal computer in patrol car; operates radio; detects criminal activity; and communicates with the public.
3. Responds to call for service; resolves disputes; admonishes individuals; responds to accidents; and provides emergency first-aid.
4. Conducts investigations; conducts a preliminary investigation at the scene of a crime; searches area for suspects or evidence; interviews suspects, witnesses and victims; obtains case numbers; and obtains background information from dispatch or the computer.
5. Promotes community policing; speaks to merchants regarding potential problems in the area; explains to citizens laws, ordinances, and their rights in resolving disputes; speaks to citizens in sector while on patrol; attends community meetings; and participates in community-based programs.
6. Makes arrests and/or detains suspects.
7. Pursues suspects; chases suspects; sets up perimeters; and communicates with partner to coordinate chase.
8. Enforces traffic and parking violations.
9. Writes reports; keeps records; draws accident scene diagrams; competes forms and maintains logs.
10. Interacts with superiors, peers, and other department personnel.
11. Prepares and participates in planned events; stands and directs traffic at accident scenes, demonstrations, or planned events; controls crowds; cooperates with other city and state agencies to secure area at planned event or crime scene.
12. Prepares for and attends court; reviews reports and other related documents; testifies in court; meets with the Assistant District Attorney to discuss cases.
13. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (please note that the following eligibility Requirements will be verified during Background Investigation)

• Education:  Applicants must be a United States High School Graduate, or have passed a G.E.D. or the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have an AA or higher degree from a United States accredited college or university. 
• Age:  Applicants must be at least 20 years old when they take the examination and at least 21 years of age by the time of appointment. (Civil Service Rule 210.10)
• Driver’s License:  Applicants must possess and maintain a valid driver license to operate an automobile at the time of application and throughout the selection process. Possession of a valid California Driver License is required prior to the date of hire.
• Judicial Record:  Applicants must NOT have been:
  • Convicted of a felony;
  • Convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;
  • Convicted of any misdemeanor that carries a penalty of prohibiting ownership, possession or control or a firearm; or
  • Restricted from employment with the City and County of San Francisco.     

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (the stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring).

• Experience in the United States Military
• Proficiency in a second language relevant to San Francisco communities

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://www.sf.gov/information/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

SELECTION PROCEDURES:
https://www.joinsfpd.com/hiring-process

Written Exam (Pass/Fail)
For this recruitment, applicants may use either the a) FrontLine National Law Enforcement Examination administered by the National Testing Network (NTN) or the b) California POST PELLETB Exam.  Either exam is pass/fail with the minimum scores posted below.

 a) FrontLine National Law Enforcement Examination (NTN)

To register visit: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/search.cfm?position=1&state=All+States

You will need to establish an account with NTN. A fee is required to take the FrontLine National examination. Candidates with demonstrated financial hardship may submit a request to have the fee waived prior to test registration. See “Candidate FAQ #27” on the NTN website (https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/faqs.cfm) to learn more on how to apply for a fee waiver.

There are three components to the FrontLine National exam: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a written language ability test. The passing scores are:

· Video: 65
· Writing: 70
· Reading: 70

Candidates must pass each test independently. The scores are not averaged.

b) Post Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)
The PELLETB exam developed by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and measures reading comprehension and writing abilities. 

Applicants who have taken the POST written within the last two years and have achieved a t-score of 42 or higher will also be exempt from the written examination.   A copy of the documentation which includes the date of the POST test and score on valid agency letterhead must be submitted with your application.

c) Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Candidates who completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher will be waived from the written examination.  A copy of your Bachelor’s degree or higher diploma must be submitted with your application.

Candidates who attain passing scores on the FrontLine National Exam or the PELLETB or have a Bachelor’s degree or higher will be notified to take a Physical Ability Test (PAT) and an Oral Interview (OI).

Physical Ability Test (Pass/Fail)
The PAT will assess physical abilities needed to perform essential police officer tasks and successfully complete academy training through four events. The physical abilities include: muscular strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, equilibrium, and abilities involving all-out effort.

Oral Interview (100%)
The OI will assess community involvement, interest and motivation, interpersonal skills, problem solving, oral communication skills and abilities not tested by other examination components.  The OI score will be used to place candidates on the eligible list. 

Eligible List Rankings

Candidates will be notified via email of their pass/fail status on the PAT and OI. Those that do not pass may request another opportunity to re-take the test no sooner than one (1) month [30 calendar days] from their previous attempt.

In accordance with Civil Service Commission Rule 211.16.1, candidates may appeal the administration of the examination components. All appeals must be filed in writing with the Department of Human Resources within five (5) calendar days of the administration of the examination component giving rise to the appeal. A day that the Department of Human Resources is closed shall not be counted as the fifth (5th) calendar day.  Appeals shall be limited as defined in Rule 211.16.1. (https://www.sf.gov/reports/august-2015/rule-211-examinationscivil-service-commission)

Candidates must pass each of the selection components unless otherwise noted on the announcement. The Department reserves the right to waive selection components for individuals based on prior experience or certification.

POST Academy Graduates who have completed a certified California POST Basic Academy within the last two (2) years are waived from the written exam and physical ability test.  A copy of your POST Basic Academy completion certificate that includes the date of graduation must be submitted with your application.  Candidates will only need to participate and pass the oral interview to be placed on the eligible list.  

Lateral Entry Program - https://joinsfpd.com/lateral-entry-program/
If you intended to apply as a lateral Q002 Police Officer applicant, please follow this link to submit an application: Lateral Q002 Police Officer Application.
Background Investigations - https://joinsfpd.com/background-investigations/

Eligible List / Certification Rule
Candidates who pass all test components (i.e., Written Exam, Physical Ability Test, and Oral Interview) will have their names added to the eligible list. Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 24 months. The Police Department has the option to hire any candidate on the eligible list (“Rule of List”). Therefore, placement on this list neither guarantees nor implies that you will be offered employment. The Police Department will administer the remaining processes outlined below to determine who shall advance further in the hiring process and be considered for appointment.

Candidates who are not selected after the background process will be withdrawn from the eligible list and may re-apply two years from the date of their notification.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/  .]

In accordance with Civil Service Commission Rule 211.16.1, candidates may appeal the administration of the examination components. All appeals must be filed in writing with the Department of Human Resources within five (5) calendar days of the administration of the examination component giving rise to the appeal. A day that the Department of Human Resources is closed shall not be counted as the fifth (5th) calendar day.  Appeals shall be limited as defined in Rule 211.16.1.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Important Information

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veteran's Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Click on the "I’m Interested" button on the top or bottom of this page. Follow instructions on the screen to begin the application process.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. To update your contact information, click here to go to your application. Failure to maintain current contact information may result in loss of eligibility.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

For questions about the academy and selection process, you may contact the
San Francisco Police Department Recruitment Unit
1245 3rd Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158
Phone: 415-837-7270
joinsfpd@sfgov.org 
twitter.com/JoinSFPD
facebook.com/JoinSFPD

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Public Safety Team by email at dhr-publicsafety@sfgov.org.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.