Salinas Police Recruit
Academy Attendee
Academy Graduate

Police Recruit is an Entry Level position. After selection, Police Recruits attend a Police Academy for basic police training. Once graduated, Recruits are promoted to sworn Police Officers and you will be given a significant pay increase.

• Be qualified to work in the United States
• Have a valid California Driver’s License
• Have a high School diploma or GED
• Be at least 20½ at time of application and 21 years of age at time of appointment
• Be able to pass the medical/fitness test, a thorough background check, a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and a drug & alcohol screening test

Please complete ONE of the written examinations below:

PELLETB: Complete the California P.O.S.T. Reading and Writing Test (PELLETB). Pass Point is a T-Score of 48 or higher. (Results valid for 1 year.) For more information or to register go to: http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests (This test is preferred for those who reside in California).

OR

National Testing Network (NTN):  Complete the national Testing Network Test (NTN). Pass Point scores are 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing (results valid for 1 year). For more information or to register go to https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs. Taking the NTN is an acceptable test, but please note that we do not accept applications through the NTN. See application instructions below. 

Step 2: Complete a Physical Agility Test consisting of the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB).

Note: Applicants missing this test may still apply and participate in an interview, but it must be completed with a passing score before the department begins a background investigation. The Salinas Police Department will only accept results from South Bay Regional Public Training Consortium. For more information, please visit http://www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests. Note: SPD plans to begin hosting WSTB testing soon. Watch for updates to this page.

The Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) consists of:

• 99-yard obstacle course
• 32-foot body drag (165 lbs.)
• 6-foot chain link fence climb
• 6-foot solid wall climb
• 500-yard sprint
• 1.5 Mile Run

Step 3: Submit an application with passing written examination results (those missing the test results will not be invited to an interview). 

The application can be found by following the link at NEOgov. Please select either “Police Recruit (Entry Level)” or “Police Recruit (Current Academy Attendee)” if you are attending a California Basic Academy.

Application link is found at Neogov.

• Documentation of academy attendance or acceptance (letter on official letter head)
• PELLET B examination T-Score 48 or above within the last 12 months or National Testing Network (NTN) results with the following minimum scores: 65% video, 70% writing, and 70% reading

For an overview of Salary and Benefits information, please go to https://joinsalinaspd.com/salary-and-benefits.

For a comprehensive view of all current Job Openings, complete Job Descriptions, Benefits Information, and the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire, go to Neo.gov. But first, if you have any questions at all and would like to have one of our recruiting officers contact you, please email us at  Spdrecruitment@ci.salinas.ca.us and we will get in touch with you promptly! We look forward to speaking with you!

The State of California maintains hiring and retention standards for peace officers. The criteria for disqualification are found here.

The Salinas Police Department maintains a hiring standard regarding drug usage and criminal record above and beyond what is required by the state of California. The following section describes the conduct that is automatically disqualifying for the Salinas Police Department:

Hallucinogens – any adult use or possession in the past 7 years.

Other drugs – any other illegal drug use or possession of a drug not mentioned above in the last 3 years.

Driving (within the past three years)

Receipt of three or more moving violations or any life-threatening violation such as reckless driving, speed contest, pursuit, etc. Moving violations for which there is a factual finding of innocence shall not be included
Involvement as the driver in two or more “at fault” collisions.
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs

PERMENANTLY DISQUALIFYING

Two or more convictions of a misdemeanor offense under California law as an adult
Conviction of any misdemeanor offense while employed as a peace officer or military police officer

SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT APPEARANCE STANDARDS

Tattoos and body art must not be visible when on duty. Non-medically required tongue splitting or piercing, complete or transdermal implantation of any material other than hair replacement, abnormal shaping of the ears, eyes, nose, or teeth, and branding or scarification, are prohibited.

If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. Godwin at the Salinas Police Department or email one of our recruiters at Spdrecruitment@ci.salinas.ca.us