How to Become a Police Officer in San Francisco

SFPD Patch

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has been in existence since 1849. The SFPD has 10 stations, 6 bureaus, 2 divisions, and over 2,000 officers. The current Chief of Police is Heather Fong. the motto for the department is "Oro en paz, fierro en guerra," which is Spanish for "Gold in peace, iron in war."

Instructions

The Exam and Requirements

1. The first thing you want to do is get familiarized with the city San Francisco and the duties of a police officer. You don't want to get yourself into something you don't know anything about.

2. Make sure you qualify for the exam. You must be 20 years old and a U.S. Citizen. There is no residency requirement. You must have a valid driver license. You can not apply for the exam if you have been convicted of a felony in California.

3. Apply for the exam. You can do this by going to the SFPD website. They will provide a schedule of upcoming test dates which you can apply for.

4. Study for the exam. A sample of the entry-level law enforcement exam can be found at http://www.post.ca.gov. You should also check your local library for a book on taking the police officer exam.

5. Take and pass the exam. There are three parts to the entry-level exam. There is a written part, a physical test, and an oral interview. If you pass all these, you will proceed on to the background investigation.

The Hiring Process

1. Complete the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). You will be sent this after you pass the oral interview. It is a survey consisting of multiple-choice questions. It is needed to find out more about your background.

2. Wait for the SFPD to complete your background investigation. They will do this by using your PHQ.

3. Take the polygraph exam. A polygraph is a lie detector test. The SFPD will administer this to verify the information you have submitted to them and to further study your character.

4. Take the psychological exam. You will be evaluated to see if there is any condition that will keep you from performing you duties as a police officer.

5. Take the medical examination. The SFPD will test to see if you meet the right height and weight requirements. They will also test for drug use, your hearing, and your vision. There is a vision limit if you wear hard contact lenses, but if soft contact lenses are worn, there is no limitation on the uncorrected vision.

6. Prepare for the academy. If you have made it through the hiring process, you just need to wait for letter of acceptance to the San Francisco Police Academy. There is a course catalog for the academy on the SFPD website. Use this to help prepare for the academy, physically as well as mentally.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a positive attitude through the whole process. Show the SFPD you are excited to be joining.

Resources

• San Francisco Police Department
• SFPD Test Schedule
• Upcoming Recruiting Events