We Want You To Pass Our Exams…
Discover everything you need to know about our hiring process. We want you to successfully pass our examination process, which is why we’re providing you some valuable information on this page.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, simply fill out our contact form and a member of our recruiting team will be in touch!
The Hiring Process
Not just anyone can join our team. We have to have the best candidates for consideration to be a member of our team. To facilitate this, applicants must complete a series of examinations (not all exams are required for some positions).
Submit Application
This is the first step in forging your law enforcement career with the Irvine Police Department.
Written Exam
The written exam is designed to evaluate your skills of comprehension, retention, and interpretation.
*waived for lateral officers.
Oral Interview
We will be taking a closer look at who you are and what you are about. You should do the same for us!
Secondary Interview
During this meeting, you will discuss and review the Pre-Poly Questionnaire you completed previously.
Live Scan
Upon passing the Pre-Poly interview, front desk personnel will perform a free live scan by collecting your fingerprints.
Physical Agility Test
The test has specific elements which will require you to have the ability to sprint, run long distance, and incorporate upper body strength.
*waived for lateral officers.
Polygraph
Honesty is one of the most valued traits of a law enforcement officer. It is valued in the law enforcement profession.
Background
This will be conducted along with a Personal History Statement (PHS) mandated by California POST.
Chief Interview and Conditional Job Offer
The Chief reviews every background file and interviews every employee of the Irvine Police Department.
Medical
Staff will perform a comprehensive exam to evaluate your fitness and health to perform the job.
Psychological Test
One of the last components of the hiring process is the completion of a psychological, or “pysch” exam. This is handled in two parts.
HIRING PROCESS FAQ'S
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
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 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.