Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about the recruitment process, qualifications, training, and what it’s like to serve in one of the nation’s most respected law enforcement agencies. Whether you’re just starting your journey or ready to apply, this page is a great place to get the information you need.
General
What is a "Lateral Transfer"?
This classification is for experienced police officers who have graduated from a P.O.S.T. certified basic academy, completed a probation period of full-time sworn police experience and be in possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate at the time of filing the employment application. Applicants who completed the Academy but did not make training, will be eligible to apply under the classification of “Academy Graduate.”
How long is the training period for an entry level police recruit?
Do you have to live in Irvine?
What kind of work schedule do the patrol officers have?
Do I need to have police experience to apply?
HIRING
How Can I Prepare for The Written Exam?
There are approximately 85 questions covering reading comprehension, written communication, vocabulary, analytical ability, and observation & memory.
Candidates may purchase a practice test prior to taking the written exam. The practice exam is available a cost of $15 and is provided by CPS HR Consulting. Click this link to purchase a practice test. Practice Test Purchase
What Should I Wear or Look Like for My Testing?
Part of the hiring process is the constant evaluation of applicants. From the day you walk into City Hall or the Police Department, to your testing appointments and various interviews, you will be observed. Your hair should be neat and professional in appearance. Neatly groomed facial hair or clean shaven is recommended.
Clean, professional business attire should be considered any time you make an appearance. Obviously, this isn’t the case for the physical agility, where you should be wearing appropriate training clothing.
For the oral interview, you should wear a properly tailored suit, with shined shoes. Don’t wear outlandish ties or colors, or have any lapel pins or jewelry on which would cause a distraction.
How Do I Prepare for The Physical Agility?
The physical agility test is purposely designed to assess how prepared your body is for the academy. The six events will demonstrate your readiness to the hiring department, and the applicant.
While lifting weights are excellent for building strength and toning a person’s physique, it does little to help you prepare your joints, muscles, and tendons for the physical agility test in terms of different movements and cardiovascular demands.
Any type of functional fitness workout, such as a bootcamp, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), or CrossFit style workout routine would be excellent to use in your preparation for the physical agility test. You should also be able to run a few miles in a reasonable amount of time (sub 10 minute mile pace).
What are The Top Reasons People Fail the Process?
There are a number of reasons why people fail, but the top reasons are typical:
- Attention To Detail – Not fully completing paperwork or inability to properly follow directions
- Not Meeting Obligations – Arriving late or forgetting appointments.
- Dishonesty – Either omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualification.
- Poor Decision Making – Criminal history, lack of maturity, and negative work history are also important factors
What Should I Know for The Oral Interview?
During the interview, we’re going to ask questions about you as a person, as well as questions pertaining to why you want to work for us, and why you want to be in law enforcement.
An interview board asks job-related questions designed to assess the applicant’s knowledge and skills during different scenario based questions.
The interview panel will also be looking at your attire, your hygiene, and how you handle yourself in the interview. Are you confident or reserved? Are you arrogant or militant? Can you speak confidently, or are you scared and intimidated?
What kinds of education and experience should I consider before applying to become a police officer with the City of Irvine?
- Education: Most of the progressive agencies in California place a high value on a college education. An AA is a good start. The choice of a major is not nearly as important as the college experience itself.
- Work experience: A track record as a dependable & reliable employee is just as important as education. The best predictor of future behavior is past performance. Positive job references from a reputable employer are extremely important. Any consistent employment is helpful, however jobs which emphasize public contact, interpersonal communications, dependability and responsibility are the most important.
- Law enforcement Exposure: Make an ongoing effort to learn about law enforcement. Most agencies have part-time positions. They may be cadets, community service officers, police aides, public safety aides, etc. All provide exposure to the law enforcement environment. Agencies also have volunteer programs that can provide similar exposure and may also lead to employment opportunities.
- Physical fitness: Start now on an ongoing physical fitness program, since you will need to be in good physical condition to successfully compete for employment and complete a police academy.
- Moral character: Realize that any poor choices you make, especially as an adult, could jeopardize a future law enforcement career. While perfection is not expected or required, drug use, theft, dishonesty and poor judgment end many careers before they get started.
- Balance: Above all, successful law enforcement applicants tend to be those who have balance in their lives. All of the above factors are important and development of one to the exclusion of the others will probably frustrate your career efforts.
What are the physical requirements of police officer candidates?
- Weight must be in proportion to height; good physical condition as determined by an examining physician approved by the City of Irvine; vision must be 20/100 or better in each eye without correction, correctable to 20/20 in the better eye and not less than 20/30 in the lesser eye; and normal color vision.
- Recruit applicants must successfully pass the Physical Agility Test prior to attending the Academy. Exercises that will be assessed include the 1.5 mile run, 165-pound body drag, scaling a 6-foot chain link fence, scaling 6-foot solid wall, maximum push-ups in two (2) minutes, and maximum sit-ups in two (2) minutes.
What is a "Lateral Transfer"?
This classification is for experienced police officers who have graduated from a P.O.S.T. certified basic academy, completed a probation period of full-time sworn police experience and be in possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate at the time of filing the employment application. Applicants who completed the Academy but did not make training, will be eligible to apply under the classification of “Academy Graduate.”
Do you accept police officer lateral transfers?
Yes. We accept applications for lateral transfer and screen them every month or as needed. There is some flexibility on the education, depending on your experience.
What is the process for an out of state lateral officer applicant?
Out of state applicants are reviewed on a case by case basis, ultimately at the discretion of the Chief of Police. At a minimum, out of state applicants will have to obtain a Basic Course Waiver by completing the 161 hour California POST Requalification Course (https://post.ca.gov/post-requalification-course). Those with minimal police experience, outside of the West Coast, may be required to complete a California P.O.S.T. academy, regardless of whether they have attended a police academy in another state. In addition, the applicant is required to possess an AA/AS or 60 units.
During the testing process, do you receive additional points for being in the military service?
How do I apply if I have already completed the P.O.S.T. Basic academy?
We accept applications from academy graduates on an as-needed basis. The requirements do include graduating in the top 35% of your class within the past 12 months and either an AA/AS or 60 units.
How long is the hiring process?
BACKGROUND
Do Traffic Tickets Affect My Ability to Get Hired?
Traffic tickets themselves do not necessarily pose a problem in the hiring process; however, recent citations, severity, and quantity may have an impact on your selection.
Do You Check My Social Media Activity?
Every peace officer candidate shall be the subject of a social media search relevant to suitability for peace officer employment. This includes bias-relevant information consistent with the personal history requirements of the bias assessment framework [Commission Regulation 1955(d)(3)], including hate group affiliation and/or activities.
We want to know answers to questions like: Are you hostile or confrontational with people expressing different opinions? Do you bully people online? Who are your friends or followers? What do you like to do or not like to do?
In today’s climate, social media can reveal a great deal about a person. If you exercise good judgment, display a positive attitude, and behave in a manner desired of a member of the law enforcement community, your social media activities will be viewed favorably.
I've Had Some Credit Issues. Will This Affect Me?
Commission Regulation 1953(e)(11) requires a Background Investigator to conduct a credit record search with a bona fide credit reporting agency.
Having good credit is a good indicator of who you are as a person, in terms of meeting obligations, making wise decisions, maturity, and adhering to deadlines.
We also understand things happen in a person’s life, such as a divorce or catastrophic event, may negatively impact your credit. We take this into consideration when reviewing your credit information.
Each applicant is evaluated individually, on a case-by-case basis.
What are The Top Reasons People Fail the Process?
There are a number of reasons why people fail, but the top reasons are typical:
- Attention To Detail – Not fully completing paperwork or inability to properly follow directions
- Not Meeting Obligations – Arriving late or forgetting appointments.
- Dishonesty – Either omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualification.
- Poor Decision Making – Criminal history, lack of maturity, and negative work history are also important factors
ACADEMY
What are the physical requirements of police officer candidates?
- Weight must be in proportion to height; good physical condition as determined by an examining physician approved by the City of Irvine; vision must be 20/100 or better in each eye without correction, correctable to 20/20 in the better eye and not less than 20/30 in the lesser eye; and normal color vision.
- Recruit applicants must successfully pass the Physical Agility Test prior to attending the Academy. Exercises that will be assessed include the 1.5 mile run, 165-pound body drag, scaling a 6-foot chain link fence, scaling 6-foot solid wall, maximum push-ups in two (2) minutes, and maximum sit-ups in two (2) minutes.
Will I be paid while I attend the academy?
Yes. While attending the police academy you will receive the regular salary for a police recruit.
Do you have to live at the academy?
No. The general hours of the academy are 0700-1600 with weekends and holidays off.
How do I apply if I have already completed the P.O.S.T. Basic academy?
We accept applications from academy graduates on an as-needed basis. The requirements do include graduating in the top 35% of your class within the past 12 months and either an AA/AS or 60 units.
How long is the police academy and where is it located?
Per the State of California, each police academy is required to have at least 664 hours. We currently utilize two local academies, both supersede that number and are much closer to six months: the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy, located at 15991 Armstrong Avenue, Tustin CA 92782 and the Golden West College Police Academy, located at 15744 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach CA 92647.
Don’t See Your Question?
If you do not see your question, send it to one of our recruiters and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.