The selection process for Entry Level Police Officer includes a written multiple–choice test, an oral interview involving hypothetical situations, a physical agility test, a polygraph examination, a background investigation, and a medical and psychological evaluation.

Please note that the City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process based on administrative considerations, legal requirements, or business/operational necessity.

Workshops, seminars, and practice tests are available. Please see the Schedule of Events for specific dates, times, and locations.

Stage 1: Short–Form Application and Supplemental

The first state in the selection process is the completion of an application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be distributed to and completed by candidates at the written test. Photo identification and a social security number are required to complete the application and take the test.

Stage 2: Written Multiple–Choice Test

The multiple–choice examination measures basic skills such as writing and reading comprehension. This test is administered in a proctored, group setting with oral instructions.

Candidates who have taken the California P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Test Battery in other jurisdictions within the last 12 months from the scheduled Oakland Police Department exam may request a waiver for the written exam. Candidates must submit verification, on the testing agency's letterhead, the date the California P.O.S.T. exam was taken and the "T-Score" achieved. The letter must be submitted in person to the City of Oakland Office of Personnel by the announced deadline for that testing cycle. (Please see the associated job announcement or Schedule of Events.) Candidates submitting the waiver request will complete the Scantron Employment Application and supplemental paperwork at that time and must present valid legal photo identification and a social security number. Test scores and dates will be verified with the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training.

Candidates who pass the P.O.S.T. written examination will receive notice regarding their scheduled Oral Interview Appointment.

Stage 3: Oral Board Interview

Successful candidates will participate in an interview that is designed to evaluate job–related skills and abilities such as oral communication, interpersonal skills, and judgment. In addition to general questions, candidates will be presented with hypothetical scenarios (either orally or on videotape) and asked to explain how they would respond to each situation.

After the scheduled interview, candidates will be given the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ), which is a 31 page document to be completed by all candidates prior to their background investigation. The completed PHQ must be submitted to the Oakland Police Recruiting and Background Investigation Unit at the scheduled Physical Ability Test.

Candidates who pass the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list for further employment consideration, subject to successful completion of the remaining stages.

Entry Level / Lateral Police Officer is an unclassified position and, therefore, is not subject to the traditional conventions of the Civil Service Rules. The Office of Personnel will provide OPD with the names of all qualified individuals for further processing.

Stage 4: Physical Ability Test

Candidates who pass the Oral Board Interview will be assigned a Physical Ability Test date and time after the interview, typically when they are notified of their interview results.

The test consists of job–related physical tasks performed in an "obstacle course" fashion that must be completed in a specified time. The test is pass/fail and measures coordination, agility, balance, and strength.

Stage 5: Pre–Offer Psychological / Background Suitability Assessment

Prior to a conditional job offer, candidates will be assessed for background and psychological suitability.

The psychological assessment is designed to measure job–related traits and characteristics which are important for successful performance as a police officer such as conscientiousness and the ability to work as part of a team.

During the background investigation, investigators will contact references, friends, family, former employers, and other contacts to verify the information provided. The background investigation will also check for a criminal record, obtain a copy of each candidate's driving record, and check credit references.

Applicants may be rejected for background factors at any step of the selection process, and providing fraudulent information at any stage of the selection process may be grounds for removal from the process. Candidates will also be required to submit to a polygraph examination in connection with the investigation.

Stage 6: Post–Offer Processing

After a conditional job offer has been made, candidates will be assessed for compliance with Department medical and psychological standards.

The medical evaluation will include screening for use of illegal drugs. Any remaining background issues will also be resolved. Character–related information discovered during the post–offer state or failure to pass drug screening may be grounds for revocation of the conditional job offer and removal from hiring consideration.

In addition, candidates will be individually evaluated by the City Physician based on their ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including vision standards.