Employment Opportunities

Application Submittal
Complete a City of Tustin employment application form. This form can be accessed by Clicking HERE. You can then complete and submit the application by mail or in person.

Application Review
Your application will be reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for the position. Please see Employment Requirements.

Written Examination (Required of entry-level recruits only)
A California P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standard and Training) examination will be offered to qualifying candidates. This test is designed to measure skills associated with reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling, and reading comprehension. Prior knowledge of law enforcement is NOT required to pass the examination. Please allow up to three hours to complete the examination. An “Applicant Preparation guide for P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Test” can be located at www.post.ca.gov/selection/poWrittenPracticeTest.pdf.
If you are a Police Officer, an academy graduate from a P.O.S.T accredited academy, or currently enrolled in a P.O.S.T. accredited academy, you will not have to take the written examination. Lateral candidates from other states must obtain a waiver or other certification approval from P.O.S.T. in order to waive the written exam requirement.

Physical Agility Test
All physical agility tests are held at Golden West College and the obstacle course is done on the Biddle Course. The course is located just west of the Criminal Justice Training Center and is always open and available unless the academy is using it. The physical agility test is the same for all lateral, entry-level, or academy trained applicants. The criteria for the Physical Agility Test are as follows:

This test simulates dragging someone who is physically incapacitated. The test requires that applicants lift and drag a life-like dummy that is lying face up on the floor. The dummy weighs 165 pounds and must be dragged 32 feet. After lifting the dummy, the applicants will tell the proctor they are ready and the time stops when the dummy’s feet cross the finish line.

This test stimulates a short-distance foot pursuit, such as a pursuit that may occur in the parking lot of an office complex. The test requires applicants to make frequent changes in directions, jumping over curb like obstacles and a 34 inch high obstacle that must be vaulted while running as fast as possible.

This will test the applicant’s ability to climb over a 6’ high fence. Applicants are to run 5 yards up to the fence, scale the fence, and continue to run for another 25 yards to the finish line. Applicants may use any method they wish to get over the fences, however, they many not use the side supports in any manner.

This test stimulates a long distance foot pursuit and requires that applicants run 500 yards (1 lap plus 60 yards).

Each event is timed. Those times are then calculated with a numbered score. All 5 scores will be added up and the applicant must have a minimum score of 384 points, please see the Recruit Norms Graph.

Oral Interview
Applicants who pass the written examination and the physical agility test will be invited to participate in an oral interview. This interview will last approximately 30 minutes, and will be used to evaluate the applicant such as communication, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.

Eligibility List
Applicants who are successful in the oral interview will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year. Applicants may be selected from the eligibility list and invited to participate in the background process.

Background Process
Tustin Police Officers are entrusted with the responsibility of preserving public safety for residents and visitors of Tustin. Applicants will be asked to complete a pre-polygraph questionnaire, and an extensive background investigation packet, including a Personal History form which can be accessed from the POST site by Clicking HERE.You will also be fingerprinted. If it appears you meet the city’s background standards, we will start an extensive investigation into your background.

The community of Tustin has a right to expect, and in fact, demand honesty, integrity, dependability and truthfulness from the men and women who are to serve as police employees. The background investigation will include checks of employment, police, financial, educational, and military records. We will interview family members, those with whom you live currently or in the past, your co-workers, employers, supervisors, friends, and neighbors. The background process takes approximately 2 months to complete the investigation.

Polygraph Exam
As part of the background investigation, applicants will also participate in a polygraph examination (lie detector). The examiner will determine the truthfulness of your responses to questions involving your application information, personal associates, previous employment, substance use, economic status, driving record, gambling habits, and criminal behavior. Before your test, the procedure will be completely explained and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Every effort will be made to ensure you are comfortable and ready to proceed with the examination.

Medical Examination
A physician hired by the city will perform a thorough medical examination. The purpose of this examination is to make sure the applicant meets the P.O.S.T. standards. You can visit the P.O.S.T. website for further information on the physical requirements for a police officer is: www.post.ca.gov

Psychological Examination
The applicant will complete a written psychological test which consists of a personality test and a life questionnaire. The results are evaluated by a psychologist hired by the City. The psychologist will interview each applicant and evaluate the written tests.

Following Successful Completion of the Selection Process
Once a candidate is hired, s/he is sent to a police academy (Police Recruits) and/or directly into a Field Training Program (Lateral Entry or Academy Graduate). For recruit applicants, a police academy usually takes 24 weeks to complete.

Click on the link to learn about the Police Pre-Academy