California State Minimum Selection Standards (Per P.O.S.T)

• The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:
• Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029) 
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal law.
• At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)
• 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 other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer

• Candidates must be 21 at the time of appointment

• Written test
• Physical Agility test
• Application
• Oral board interview
• Background Investigation (including polygraph) 
• Chief’s Interview
• Conditional Job Offer
• Medical exam
• Psychological exam
• Final Job Offer

• Do an online search for “POST Pellet B practice test”

• Research the department online
• Do a ride-a-long (call 408-730-7164 to schedule)
• Research oral board sample questions online

• The process takes approximately 3-6 months

The Physical Agility Test is a timed/scored test consisting of the following exercises:

• 6 foot solid wall climb.
• 6 foot chain link fence climb
• 99 yard obstacle course
• 32 foot body drag (165 lb.)
• 500-yard sprint
• 1.5 mile run (scored separately)

• For Police training, we primarily use the Alameda County Sheriff’s full-time
  police academy (28 weeks / 7 months). To ensure the very best training, every
  academy is staffed with one recruit training officer from our department.
• For Fire training, we primarily host a joint fire academy at our Fire Station #2
  training facility.
• For EMT training, we conduct an in-house accelerated program (8 weeks) at
  one of our many training locations.

• If Sunnyvale DPS hires a public safety recruit, we will pay for the academy and the recruits salary while in the academy. This also includes all uniforms and safety equipment

• 18 months after training has been completed

• After you have completed all your training, you will be able to select your shift/location based on your seniority. Shift bids are held once a year. This bid will include which division, Police or Fire, and your requested shift.

• Our Patrol division is on a 4/11 shift. This shift rotates to allow everyone on patrol weekends and some holidays off.
• Our office-based units (Detective, etc.) work a 4/10 shift (M-Th or Tues-Fri)
• Our Fire division is on a 24-hour Kelly Schedule: 

• K9
• SWAT
• Detective
• Recruit Training Officer
• Field Training Officer
• CSI
• Gang Enforcement Team (GET)
• Range Officer
• FBI Safe Streets task force
• Firearms instructor
• Defensive tactics instructor
• Crisis intervention team
• HAZMAT
• FEMA Task Force
• Ladder Truck
• much more!

• Yes, one of the reasons Sunnyvale is so special is that it has the most extensive public safety department in the nation. Every officer is trained as a police officer, firefighter, and EMT. As you get more seniority, you can focus on which division suits you the best. However, you will be required to be competent in all three