Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- No felony convictions
- 21 years old at the time of academy graduation
- Valid California driver’s license
- U.S citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
Senate Bill 960 removed the provision that requires peace officers to either be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship, and would instead require peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States, and make conforming changes.
No, the academy is not live in. The Sacramento Police Academy is a POST intensive format and is 24 weeks in length. It is generally a 4-10 work week (four days per week, ten hours per day), for a total of 942 hours of training. The schedule may change slightly during some weeks to accommodate training needs (range, emergency driving course, etc.). The academy is held during daytime hours, generally beginning at 6:00 a.m.
Instances of drug use are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Depending upon the substance, circumstances, frequency, and amount of time elapsed since the last use, applicants may be considered for employment. As a general rule those interested in a career in law enforcement should avoid using prohibited substances, or stop use as early as possible.
No. Although the passage of Proposition 64 (the Adult Use of Marijuana Act) has made the recreational personal use of marijuana legal in California under state law, the possession and/or sale of marijuana remains prohibited by federal law under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C. §§ 841-846.)
City of Sacramento Police Officer Recruit Exam FAQs
All candidates must apply through www.govermentjobs.com to be considered.
The City of Sacramento administers a City of Sacramento’s Entry Level Law Enforcement online exam. This is not a POST exam.
The online testing option is now the only option available to complete this examination.
Candidates invited to take the online exam will be provided an opportunity to schedule an appointment for use of a City of Sacramento computer.
The POST PELLET-B Exam is not required. Candidates who apply for the position and meet the minimum requirements will be invited to take the City of Sacramento’s Entry Level Law Enforcement Online Examination or may be exempt from taking the exam.
If you have taken the POST PELLET-B Exam within two years of the final filing date and earned a T-Score of 45 or higher, you may apply for test exemption.
If you have taken the City of Sacramento’s Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam within two years of the final filing date and earned passing score, you may apply for test exemption. NOTE: Passing candidates are be placed on a Pass (Eligible) List for a period of two (2) years. **It is unnecessary to reapply for this position while you are on an active Pass (Eligible) List**
All candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and do not qualify for test exemption must take the online exam.
If you have previously taken one of the following exams within two years of the final filing date and earned a passing score as listed below, you may be considered exempt from the Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam.
- POST Certified Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET-B) exam and earned a T-Score of 45 or higher
- City of Sacramento Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam and earned a passing score
To receive consideration for exemption, submit a copy of your result letter to the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department by the final filing date using one of the following methods:
- Attach your valid result letter to your online application.
- Fax it to 916-596-1556, Subject: Police Officer Recruit
- Email it to employment@cityofsacramento.org and include "Police Officer Recruit " in the Subject Line.
Your result letter must have the following items/information listed:
- The result letter must be issued on agency letter head OR by email with the agency logo
- The test date must be clearly visible on the result letter
- The candidate’s first and last name must be listed
- The reading, writing and final T-score must be listed
- The result letter must be a legible, clear copy
To receive consideration for exemption, submit a copy of your result letter to the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department by the final filing date using one of the following methods:
- Attach your valid result letter to your online application.
- Fax it to 916-596-1556, Subject: Police Officer Recruit
- Email it to employment@cityofsacramento.org and include "Police Officer Recruit " in the Subject Line.
Your result letter must have the following items/information listed:
- The result letter must be issued on agency letter head OR by email with the agency logo
- The test date must be clearly visible on the result letter
- The candidate’s first and last name must be listed
- The letter must state “You have passed they City of Sacramento’s Entry Level Law Enforcement online examination”
- The result letter must be a legible, clear copy
Yes, candidates that have not submitted applications will not be considered further in the hiring process.
The City of Sacramento does not offer rescheduled or make-up exams. If you did not complete the City of Sacramento’s Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam you are welcome to reapply for the Police Officer Recruit position for another opportunity to take the exam. There is no waiting period required to reapply or retake the exam.
A confirmatory exam is secondary in-person exam, which tests on similar information presented on the online exam. The confirmatory exam is used to validate the candidates’ results of the online exam. Candidates who pass the online exam may be invited to take a confirmatory exam at the hiring departments discretion.
The results of the online examination will be sent out by email within two weeks of the deadline to complete the exam.
The City of Sacramento does not provide the test scores-only if a candidate has passed or failed the exam.
Candidates who pass the City of Sacramento’s Entry Level law Enforcement Exam will be placed on a Pass (Eligible) List for a period of two (2) years. **It is unnecessary to reapply for this position while you are on an active Pass (Eligible) List**
Candidates who pass the exam will have their application forwarded to the Sacramento Police Department. The Police Department will select and contact candidates as necessary to continue the screening process in approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks.
If you did not pass the City of Sacramento’s Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam you are welcome to reapply for the Police Officer Recruit position. There is no waiting period required to reapply or re-take the exam.
If you have specific questions regarding the Police Officer Recruit position, hiring process, Police Academy, etc.:
- Go to the Sacramento Police Department website at http://www.joinsacpd.org/
- Send an email to police_recruiting@pd.cityofsacramento.org
- Call the Police Officer Recruiting Office at 916-234-6112
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:
- Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at http://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Career-Opportunities.
- Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org
- Call the Human Resources Department at 916-808-5726.