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Peace Officer Selection Standards
California peace officers undergo an extensive selection process before they are hired by law enforcement agencies. The role of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) includes establishing minimum selection standards for peace officers in California and conducting research that results in the development of the tests and procedures used by local law enforcement agencies to adhere to these minimum selection standards.
Minimum Selection Standards
The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Every California peace officer must be:
- free of any felony convictions;
- a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (CHP officers must be US citizens at time of appointment);
- at least 18 years of age;
- fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
- of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;
- a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution, and
- found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
Penal Code Section 13510(a) gives POST the authority to establish minimum selection standards for peace officers employed by agencies that participate in the POST program. These peace officers must, at a minimum, meet the selection standards outlined in the Government Code, and pass the following POST selection requirements prior to hire.
Reading and Writing Test
Per Commission Regulation 1002(b)(3) (pdf), applicants must be able to read and write at the levels necessary to perform the job of a peace officer as determined by the use of the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) or other job-related test of reading and writing ability. The PELLETB is provided to law enforcement agencies in the POST program at no charge. The Applicant Preparation Guide for the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (pdf) provides information for agencies and applicants, including a thorough overview of the test, practice test items, and test taking strategies. NOTE: Reserve officers are not required to meet this standard.
Interview
Commission Regulation 1002(a)(8) stipulates that every peace officer applicant be interviewed prior to employment to determine the applicant's suitability for law enforcement service. The Interviewing Peace Officer Candidates: Hiring Interview Guidelines document provides guidance in all phases of the interview process. Additionally, agencies may request access to the Oral Interview Question Bank which contains hundreds of interview questions developed specifically for assessing the six mandated interview factors: experience, problem solving ability, communication skills, interest/motivation, interpersonal skills, and community involvement/awareness.
Background Investigation
The history of a peace officer applicant must be thoroughly investigated to make sure that the applicant is of good moral character [Government Code 1031(d)] and that nothing in his/her background is inconsistent with performing peace officer duties. The background investigation is also conducted to ensure that the applicant meets the minimum selection requirements of Commission Regulation 1002 (doc) and Government Code Section 1031.
To assist POST-participating agencies with the background investigation process, POST has a Background Investigation Manual (pdf), which includes the Personal History Statement – Peace Officer (doc) form that the applicant will need to complete at the onset of the investigation. The manual also includes the ten background dimensions that are to be assessed in the background investigation.
Medical Screening
California Government Code 1031(f) requires all California peace officers to be free from any “physical condition which might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.” Commission Procedure C-2 (doc) implements the medical screening requirements established in Government Code 1031. As described in Commission Procedure C-2, the physical evaluation must be conducted by a licensed physician and surgeon. To assist physicians in their examinations of peace officer applicants, POST has developed a Medical Screening Manual which includes recommended examination and evaluation protocols for the individualized assessment of each candidate, and provides detailed information on commonly detected medical conditions. This manual also provides recommendations for screening hearing (pdf) and vision (pdf).
Psychological Screening
California Government Code 1031(f) requires all California peace officers to be free from any "emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer." Commission Procedure C-2 (doc) implements the psychological screening requirements established in Government Code 1031. As described in Commission Procedure C-2, the psychological screening must be conducted by a qualified, licensed, and experienced psychologist or psychiatrist. A minimum of two written assessments must be used; one test must be targeted to identifying patterns of abnormal behavior, the other must be an assessment of normal behavior. A clinical interview with the applicant must follow.
POST is in the process of revising the Psychological Screening Manual; the new manual is expected to be released in 2008. Currently available are the POST Psychological Screening Dimensions (pdf), which will be incorporated into the revised manual.
Additional Departmental Standards
The selection standards described above are POST-required minimum selection standards. Per Penal Code Section 13510(d), local agencies/departments may set standards that exceed these minimum selection standards. Peace officer applicants may be subjected to additional evaluations and/or assessments required by individual law enforcement agencies. These additional requirements may include physical ability testing, drug screening, a polygraph examination or voice stress analysis.
Questions
For more information on POST’s peace officer selection standards, contact the Standards and Evaluation Bureau at seb@post.ca.gov or 916.227.4820.