Police Department

Applications are currently being accepted for:

Police Officer: This posting is for applicants who have completed a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy, or are currently or formerly employed as a deputy/police officer.   The Police Officer position is eligible for the hiring bonus.

Police Trainee: This posting is for applicants who have not completed a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy.  The Police Trainee position is not eligible for a hiring bonus.

Information for Current Hiring Process

*Only applicants who are invited to each step of the testing process and who confirm attendance by the specified deadline in the notice for the test date will be admitted to the testing site. You must bring a valid and current government issued photo identification (no photocopies).

Details for Current Hiring Process

Upcoming Events

These are events that relate to the recruitment and hiring of Police Officers and Police Trainees including application dates, testing dates, and other related events. The department also participates in recruiting events throughout the year to provide opportunities to meet and speak with some of our officers.

PLEASE NOTE: BOTH POLICE OFFICER AND POLICE TRAINEE ARE CONTINUOUS POSTINGS. We may administer several written and physical tests throughout this requisition. You will be notified by email of your testing and/or interview dates by someone in the Personnel and Training Division prior to any scheduled testing dates.

Due to California POST requirements, rescheduling the written and physical examination can not be accommodated. All Police Trainee applicants are required to take the Written and Physical Agility Test.

Note: The UCLA Police Department utilizes the California POST PELLETB examination. The minimum passing T-Score is 45. If you have a passing score from another agency with a minimum score of 45 within one year of your application date you will not be required to take the PELLETB examination. 

Physical Ability Test (PAT) and Written Test (PELLETB)
Date: Various (applicants will be contacted via email with a testing date)
Time: PAT: 7:00am (check-in time 7:00am-7:30am);  PELLETB: 10:30am (or at the conclusion of the PAT)
Location:
Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Rd
Whittier, CA 90601

PARKING: Please park in the lot which is just before the Rio Hondo Police Academy archway. Lot is located on the left side. Walk up the road to the Academy Annex to register.

The written and physical tests will be waived for Police Officer applicants who do not need to attend California POST Basic Police Academy. If you are currently an out of state deputy/police officer, you must obtain a California POST Basic Course Waiver before your hire date. All eligible applicants will be contacted for an oral interview via email. You must provide proof of your status as a lateral or pre-service deputy/police officer prior to receiving an oral interview invitation. If your status as a police officer needs to be reinstated via California POST recertification course, that course must be completed prior to your hire date.

Position

Police Trainee: Non-sworn police trainees perform the entry level functions of the position under direct supervision of a police officer of higher rank except those duties requiring Peace Officer status or requiring the use of firearms. Incumbents will be required to be enrolled in and successfully complete an accredited CA Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy offering POST course requirements at the basic level. Applies campus policies and procedures to resolve routine police issues. Works on problems of limited scope. Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. During training, incumbents do not have police powers and are subject to all the policies and procedures of the University of California, the University of California Police Department, and the police academy attended. Trainees may be assigned non-safety duties in the Police Department such as assisting in prevention, collecting information and data, and transporting people and materials. Upon successful completion of the academy, Police Trainees will be eligible to fill vacant Police Officer positions. Promotion to a sworn Police Officer position is contingent upon successful completion of the basic academy and the final review of the Police Chief. Upon promotion to Police Officer, the selected incumbent must successfully complete a Field Training Program (FTP) and a probationary period of no less than 12 months.

Police Officer: Sworn police officers are expected to perform law enforcement duties including: foot, bicycle, motorcycle and vehicle patrol of University of California properties (campus, medical centers on campus and in Santa Monica, university housing on campus and off campus including the University Apartments North and the University Apartments South, university properties in Westwood, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica, and nearby residential areas), investigate and prepare preliminary investigation reports, issue citations, make arrests, assist in the prosecution of violators of law, provide crime prevention information, develop partnerships with the community and serve as a proactive resource to a uniquely diverse community. Officers may work as part of a security detail for University and athletic events including events working with other law enforcement agencies for dignitaries visiting the campus. Officers have the opportunity to participate in a number of assignments such as Patrol Officer, Bicycle Team, Motorcycle Program, Detectives, Field Training Officer, Force Options/Defensive Tactics Instructors, Range Instructors, ECD Instructors, Background Investigator, Crime Prevention Officer, Traffic Collision Investigator, Mentors and various Lead Officer assignments.

Current Salary Range

Police Trainee: $87,000 (effective June 23, 2024)

Police Officer: $96,000 - $164,000* (effective June 23, 2024)

*Includes Longevity Pay, Advanced POST Certificate Pay, Specialty Pay (x2), Systemwide Response Team Pay, Nighttime Shift Differential Pay, Education Pay, Bilingual Pay, and Uniform and Fitness Allowances

Police Trainee: The UCLA Police Department will pay for trainees to attend a pre-academy at the UCLA Police Department and then a California POST basic police academy, which must be successfully completed prior to being sworn in as a police officer. 

Police Officer - Pre-Service/Academy Graduate: Applicants without a current POST Basic Certificate will start at step one of the police officer salary range.

Police Officer - Lateral Candidate: Initial placement within the salary range will be based upon years of previous law enforcement experience and training.

Peace Officers (from another state): California POST has a Basic Course Waiver (BCW) process for individuals who want to become California peace officers. Once the BCW process is completed, the applicant receives a waiver of the Regular Basic Course. Acceptance of the waiver is at the discretion of this department.

Please read the complete Police Officer job description as well as the Peace Officer Candidate Information at the POST website to learn more about the Police Officer position and the selection process to ensure that you are familiar with the requirements for the position.

Preparation

Please see the following link for academy preparation: http://ocsd.org/join/preparation

The online application for Police Officer is available here.  The online application for Police Trainee is available here.  You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The application process will be closed upon receipt of a sufficient number of applications and applications will no longer be accepted.

You must submit an online application for the position of Police Officer on the UCLA Campus Job Opportunities site. Please ensure that you include a valid email address so that you will receive notifications and updates of the testing and selection process. All applications, including a resume, must be submitted online.

All of the information you need about the position and the selection process is contained in the Related Information panel along the right side of this page and the POST website. You will be expected to be familiar with all of this information.

You will increase your chances of success in being selected as a Police Officer by conducting your own research to learn about the Police Officer position and assignments at the UCLA Police Department as well as the process for becoming a Police Officer.

After reviewing this information, if you have any additional questions regarding Police Officer recruitment, testing, hiring or training, contact the Personnel and Training Division at jobs@ucpd.ucla.edu.