Job Information SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT 60 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701 714-245-8670 http://www.santa-ana.org/pd/ Updated: April 09, 2026 Job Classification: Police Recruit (Police Officer Recruit) To be considered for this position, all candidates are required to submit a department application as well as complete the FrontLine National exam through National Testing Network. Salary Information: $40.45 - $49.17 Hourly $7,011.00 - $8,523.00 Monthly $84,132.00 - $102,276.00 Annually Benefits Information: For an extensive list of employee benefits, please visit https://www.santa-ana.org/documents/summary-of-benefits/ administered by the Police Officer's Association (POA) Department Overview: The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitude, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having highly talented employees provides the best service to the community. Police Recruits are non-sworn (civilian) employees who attend a police academy to prepare for a career in law enforcement. Upon successful completion of this training, they are sworn in as Police Officers at a salary of $8,818.00 - $10,719.00** per month plus benefits and salary incentives. Police Officers are key participants in a partnership with the City and community to identify and resolve crime problems affecting the quality of life of all residents. This community support and the diversity of cultures in Santa Ana make it an exciting and demanding place to work. Characteristics of Successful Performers: Successful officers are characterized by the ability to make sound decisions which are based on fact, not emotion, quickly and repeatedly throughout the day. They demonstrate a strong sense of fairness and the ability to apply both the spirit and letter of the law within legal parameters of discretion. They embrace the principles of Community Oriented Policing by exhibiting a genuine concern for the safety of the community and the quality of life of its citizens, successful Police Officers are alert and ready to take action. They enjoy both working alone and as an integral part of a team effort. Ideal candidates are proficient in writing reports and handling paperwork and willingly work varying shifts, weekends and holidays. City Information: Santa Ana, Orange County Population: 310,000 Job Requirements Age: Twenty-one years of age. Persons under twenty-one years of age may apply if their 21st birthday is six months or less from date of application. We have no maximum age limit. Citizenship Required: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law. High School Grad / GED: Every peace officer candidate shall meet one of the following minimum education requirements pursuant to Gov’t Code 1031 (e): • Be a high school graduate of one of the following: • A U.S. public school, or • An accredited U.S. Department of Defense high school, or • An accredited or approved public or non-public high school. OR • Pass the General Education Development (G.E.D) test indicating high school graduation level OR • Pass the California High School Proficiency Exam, OR • Have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. Any accreditation or approval shall be from a state or local government educational agency using local or state government approved accreditation, licensing, registration, or other approval standards, a regional accrediting association, an accrediting association recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education, an accrediting association holding full membership in the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), an organization holding full membership in the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA), an organization holding full membership in the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), or an accrediting association recognized by the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations (NFNSSAA). Driver's License: Must possess a valid Class C California driver's license at the time of application. Out-ofstate applicants must possess a driver’s license in their state of residence at the time of application, and must be willing and able to obtain a CA driver’s license by the time of appointment. Ability to Read/Speak English: Required. Bilingual fluency is not required at this time. Applicants interested in receiving bilingual pay upon completion of the academy must be fluent in both English and any one of the following languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Samoan, Hmong, Korean, or Cambodian. Vision: Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20. For hard contact or glasses wearers there is an additional uncorrected minimum of 20/40 (no uncorrected minimum for soft contact wearers). Refer to P.O.S.T. Vision guidelines for more information: http://www.post.ca.gov/medical-screening-manual.aspx College: A.A. or B.A. degree is highly desirable. Prior Experience: One year of work experience in any field Schooling Prior and Post Hiring : Post Hiring: Orange County Sheriff’s Academy (Paid Training) Selection Process: All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form online, as well as complete the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide. NOTE: PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM IN ITS ENTIRETY. WORK HISTORY MUST GO BACK AT LEAST 10 YEARS (IF APPLICABLE). PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE 'REASON FOR LEAVING' FIELDS, AND 'DATES OF EMPLOYMENT (YEAR)' FIELDS. ANY APPLICATION WITH ONE OR MORE UNANSWERED FIELDS WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE. A step-by-step description of the selection process is listed below. If you pass the initial application, supplemental questionnaire, and background screenings, and possess the most pertinent qualifications, in order to be placed on the eligible list, you must pass each of the following components (except the bilingual fluency exam): Please note, all dates listed below are subject to change depending on organizational needs. 1. FRONTLINE NATIONAL EXAMINATION: (qualifying) includes multiple-choice video simulations and computer administered test in which candidates must complete the following three test components: a video-based human relations test, report writing, and reading comprehension. The examination is administered by the National Testing Network. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE FRONTLINE EXAM UNTIL YOU RECEIVE AN E-MAIL STATING THAT YOU MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. Candidates need a score of 60% or higher on the Video Section, and an overall score of 70% or higher to pass this examination. The City of Santa Ana is now accepting PELLETB scores from other agencies. The PELLETB exam must have been completed within one year of application date in order for scores to be used in lieu of the Frontline National Examination. The minimal acceptable score is 46. The next three selection components (Physical Agility Exam, Oral Interview Examination and Background Orientation) are all consolidated in one full day of testing. 2. PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAM: (qualifying) will evaluate each applicant's physical strength, agility and endurance in the following timed components: • 1.5 MILE RUN The 1.5 mile run must be completed within 14 minutes to pass the City of Santa Ana physical agility test. • 500 YARD RUN Run 500 yards • SOLID FENCE CLIMB Run 5 yards to a 6-foot solid fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards • CHAIN LINK FENCE Run 5 yards to a 6-foot chain link fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards • OBSTACLE COURSE/AGILITY RUN Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch high obstacle • BODY DRAG Lift and drag 165 pound lifelike dummy 32 feet ***Some components may be waived Each of the above events are timed. Candidate's performance times are converted to points and summed. Candidates must successfully complete the 1.5 mile run AND accumulate a minimum total score of 384 points in the remaining five events to pass the physical agility test. Tentative 2026 PAT Dates: 01/10/26, 01/13/26, 02/07/26, 02/10/26, 03/10/26, 03/14/26, 04/25/26, 04/28/26, 05/16/26, 05/19/26, 06/13/26, 06/16/26, 07/11/26, 07/14/26, 08/08/26, 08/11/26, 09/12/26, 09/15/26, 10/10/26, 10/13/26, 11/14/26, 11/17/26, 12/12/26, 12/15/26 3. BACKGROUND ORIENTATION: (qualifying) prepare personal statement, receive background packet, meet with background investigator. 4. ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION: (weight of 100%) will evaluate experience, training and personal qualifications for the position. Candidates need a score of 70% or higher to pass this examination. NOTE: Prior to appointment, candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, a psychological examination, and a medical examination to determine minimum acceptable qualifications as established by Government Code 1031 Section (f) and POST Commission Regulation 1954. Applicants must pass every component of the selection process in order to be further considered. Those who are successful in steps 1 - 4 above will be placed on an eligible list and will be considered for appointment as vacancies occur. The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation. Criminal Activity Disqualifiers: • No felony convictions. • No conviction of any crime that prohibits possession or use of a firearm. Driving Disqualifiers: • Three (3) sustained moving violations over the past three years from the time of application dependent on severity. • Two (2) at fault collisions over the past three years from the time of application dependent on severity. • Any DUI conviction or any DUI plea agreement to a lesser charge within three years from the time of application. Drug Use Disqualifiers: • No use or possession of any non-prescription opiate (includes Heroin), Cocaine, Amphetamine (includes Methamphetamine) or Ecstasy within the last five years from the time of application. • No use or possession of any hallucinogen (includes LSD, PCP, Ketamine) within the last 10 years from the time of application. • No use or possession of non-prescription steroids within five years from the time of application Minimum Qualifications: To be further considered, all applicants must meet all requirements defined by P.O.S.T. in addition to those set forth by our agency. One year of work experience in any field, A.A. or B.A. degree, and/or military experience is highly desirable. Tattoo Policy: Tattoos shall not be visible while employees are on-duty. If you have any visible tattoos on or behind the ear, on the hands or fingers, on the neck or head that cannot be covered by a standard collared uniform shirt, you do not meet our tattoo policy and you will not be able to continue in the selection process. If you have any questions regarding the tattoo policy, please contact Background Unit Supervisor, Sergeant Daniel Baek via e-mail at DBaek@santa-ana.org. Bilingual fluency is not required at this time. Applicants interested in receiving bilingual pay upon completion of the academy must be fluent in both English and any one of the following languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Samoan, Hmong, Korean, or Cambodian. NOTE: If you have failed the written examination or oral interview examination, you must wait at least three months to reapply. Individuals who have failed the psychological evaluation or Chief's file review must wait one year before reapplying.