Police Recruit

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in law enforcement? Do you want to serve and protect our community while growing your skills and career? The West Sacramento Police Department is looking for dedicated and motivated individuals to join our team as Police Recruits.

As a member of the West Sacramento Police Department, you will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most experienced and respected police officers in the region. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where you can learn and grow as a professional.

In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, we offer extensive training and professional development opportunities to help you advance in your career. We also prioritize community engagement and work to build strong relationships with the people we serve.

If you are interested in joining our team and making a difference in our community, please visit our website or email joinwspd@cityofwestsacramento.org to learn more and apply today!

APPLICATION PROCESS:  An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out in its entirety.  Clearly indicate the position applied for on your application.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly.  Incomplete information on the application may be cause for disqualification.  Applicant may be required to submit additional proof of qualifications if sufficient information is not provided.

You must submit the following two (2) items:

1)         A completed City of West Sacramento application form; and

2)         A Resume.

Examination Process:

Written Examination:  The written examination will consist of a POST Entry Law Enforcement Test Battery.  The POST Entry Law Enforcement Test Battery may be waived if proof of a passing “T” score of 45.0, taken within twelve months of the date of application, is submitted at the time of application.  “T” scores must be submitted with the application package and will not be accepted at the testing site. The City of West Sacramento will be hosting a PelletB exam session on 10/27/2026 at 9AM, and applicants will have the opportunity to register.

Physical Abilities Examination:  Prior to appointment, candidates must receive a passing score on the West Sacramento Police Department Physical Agility Test. For a detailed description of our Physical Agility Test, please click here: https://www.cityofwestsacramento.org/home/showdocument?
Oral Panel Interview:  The top candidates who successfully pass the written examination or submit a passing PELLETB score will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview.  The results of the oral panel interview will determine the candidate’s placement on the eligibility list.

DEFINITION: The Police Recruit is a recruiting and training level classification used for candidates qualified to learn the duties of a Police Officer in the West Sacramento Police Department. The Police Recruit attends a designated California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Police Academy to receive basic training in law enforcement, police procedures, first aid and physical fitness.  The Police Recruit is an at-will position that is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.  Police Recruits who fail to successfully complete the Basic P.O.S.T. Police Academy will be terminated.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  The Police Recruit receives general direction from higher level Police Department personnel, both sworn and civilian, and P.O.S.T. Academy staff. No direct supervision of staff is exercised.

For full class specification: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/westsacramento/classspecs/1259961?keywords=recruit&pagetype=classSpecifications? 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education:  High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience:  None required.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  Possession of a valid California driver license at the time of appointment.

AGE:  Applicants must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of appointment to a probationary Police Officer position.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:  Failure to accept or meet any of these special conditions would be grounds for termination.  Once the candidate successfully completes the Police Academy, they will be sworn in as a probationary Police Officer with full police authority.

Respiratory Protective Equipment:  Work in this class requires wearing respiratory protective equipment at times.  When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.

Felony Convictions:  Free of felony convictions under California Government Code, Section 1029.

Citizenship:   In accordance with Government Code Section 1031, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. There are no specific citizenship requirements.

Physical Abilities Examination:  Prior to appointment, candidates must receive a passing score on the West Sacramento Police Department Physical Agility Test. For a detailed description of our Physical Agility Test, please click here: https://www.cityofwestsacramento.org/home/showdocument?id=18444&t=638477527450970000

Background and Medical/Physical Examinations:  Prior to appointment, candidates will undergo a police background investigation which includes a polygraph, fingerprinting, and drug usage history.  Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a medical pre-placement examination, psychological examination and pre-employment drug screening.

Employment Agreement:  The successful candidate must agree, prior to employment, not to resign and accept employment with another law enforcement agency for a period of twenty-four (24) months starting from the date of appointment to Police Recruit.  Should resignation occur within the twenty-four (24) month period, the employee agrees to reimburse the City for cost directly related to training as listed in the department’s schedule of reimbursement.

Driver’s License: Loss of the license during Police Recruit status is cause of termination.  California Department of Motor Vehicle records will be checked.  Those with an invalid driver’s license or driving record with four (4) or more negligible operator points will not be considered for appointment.

An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant’s responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable).