So you want to be a Glendale Police Officer? Once you’ve applied, you will be invited to take the physical agility test.
Step 1: Physical & Written Tests
The Physical Agility Test (P.A.T.) examines your physical fitness for the force. The Written Test covers the necessary language requirements.
Physical Agility Test
Usually administered on Saturdays at the Glendale Police Department., the P.A.T. is a series of obstacles that you must successfully negotiate and complete in two minutes and thirty seconds. Applicants should wear comfortable workout attire.
Written Exam
The Written Exam is a pass/fail exam that helps determine the applicant's general ability and aptitude for police work. The exam measures your ability to succeed in a training academy.
The written exam is administered online through the National Testing Network (N.T.N). The Glendale Police Department does not accept the PELLETB or any other written exam scores. Only scores sent from N.T.N. will be accepted. Applicants should receive information from the City of Glendale Human Resources Department about navigating the Written Exam and submitting your scores. Your Written Exam scores must be submitted to the City of Glendale Human Resources Department prior to your oral examination date.
If you received a failing score, you must wait three (3) months to prior to reapplying and retaking the Written Exam. You will not be able to move to the next phase of the hiring process if you fail the written exam.
Step 2: Panel Interview (a.k.a. Oral Exam)
Before the Interview
Here are seven tips to prepare for your panel interview:
Be sure to know about the position. What kinds of challenges are involved? What skills or qualities are required to do the job?
Some interview questions may require you to give examples that demonstrate your knowledge, skills and abilities. Think of examples of current or prior work experiences that best demonstrate these skills. Know your own strengths, and the areas where you need to develop or improve.
Look at the City of Glendale website and learn about the City, its residents and any noteworthy issues relating to police work.
Prepare a closing statement that highlights your abilities as they relate to the position you are interviewing for.
Practice interviewing with another person. If possible, record yourself so you can review your responses.
Wear appropriate business attire.
Be on time.
During the Interview
Here are eight tips to succeed during your interview:
A panel will ask every applicant the same set of questions. They may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.
Interviews are typically 15 to 20 minutes long. You will need to be clear and concise with your responses, which should generally be no longer than 1 to 2 minutes per question.
Don’t get distracted by panelists taking notes while you're talking. The panel will use these notes when evaluating you.
Be friendly and enthusiastic.
Listen carefully and allow the panel to complete the question before responding. If you're in doubt, ask for clarification.
Don't rely solely on your application. No matter how well qualified you may appear to be on your application, you will still need to sell yourself in the interview.
Be honest at all times.
At the end of the interview, summarize your background and experience or share important information about your skills that you think were not discussed during the interview.
Step 3: Background Investigation
As part of the police officer hiring process, you are required to undergo and successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation. Once you pass the written and physical exams and panel interview, your assigned background investigator will call you to schedule a background interview. Part of this interview includes the review of relevant documents.
Follow the instructions in the 'Glendale PD Recruit Orientation - Guardian' packet that you received from the Glendale Police Department Professional Standards Bureau to gather the relevant documents prior to your background interview.
These documents are required to be scanned and uploaded to Guardian (high school and/or college transcripts can be received at a later date). All original documents you upload will need to be shown to your background investigator on the day of your background interview.
The video below also provides instructions on how to navigate the Guardian website, complete the Personal History Questionnaire, and upload required documents:
After your interview, you will be scheduled to take a polygraph examination as part of your background investigation.
Step 4: Police Chief's Interview
The Glendale Police Department's success stems from its ability to work as a team. In this interview, Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid will determine if you are a good fit for the Glendale Police Department.
Step 5: Psychological Exam
The Psychological Exam focuses on how you make decisions and includes meeting with a psychologist, who will determine your overall suitability for the position of Police Officer Recruit. For more information, visit the P.O.S.T. psychological screening process at post.ca.gov/peace-officer-psychological-screening-manual
Step 6: Medical Exam
A quick medical examination ensures that candidates can perform the essential functions of the job. As a final step before your employment, you will undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation with a physician assigned by the Glendale Police Department.
For more information regarding the P.O.S.T. medical screening process, visit post.ca.gov/medical-screening-manual
Step 7: Become a Police Officer Recruit
Once you pass the psychological and medical examinations, you will be hired as a Police Officer Recruit and you will be required to attend the Glendale Police Department's in-hour Pre-Academy. Afterward, you will attend a law enforcement Academy.
Step 8: Become a Police Officer
Once you graduate the Academy, you will be sworn in as a Glendale Police Officer and assigned to Patrol for six months of field training.
Ready to apply?
Review the general requirements and the Department's tattoo policy below, then visit GovernmentJobs.com to apply online.
General requirements:
Be at least 20 years of age at the time of application
Possess a high school diploma, GED or CHSPE
Have good moral character with no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving domestic violence
Possess a valid California Class C driver's license
Glendale Police Department Tattoo Policy
The Glendale Police Department currently hires individuals with non-offensive tattoos, provided they are concealed from public view in a long sleeve uniform shirt. Certain exceptions may be made based on job assignment, as well as consideration given to applicants who are currently in the process of removing tattoos. If you have questions on our tattoo policy, please reach out to us by visiting the contact us page.
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