Police Recruitment

Message from the Chief

Welcome to the Garden Grove Police Department’s recruitment webpage. The greatest strength of the Garden Grove Police Department is the quality of our staff and the training, talent, and commitment they bring to providing superior public service. Garden Grove is a great place to live and work, and I invite you to see what opportunities are available here and apply for one of the open recruitment positions below. Thank you for considering us and I wish you all the best of luck.

Chief Amir El-Farra

*These dates are tentative and subject to change

Positions in the Garden Grove Police Department

Police Recruit

Salary: $28.30 Hourly
Candidates who are successful in the selection process will be hired in a non-sworn capacity as a police recruit and placed in a California POST-approved Basic Academy.

Police Recruit – Academy Enrolled

Salary: $28.30 Hourly
Applicants must be enrolled in a California POST-approved Basic Academy.

Police Officer – Academy Trained

Salary: $6,839 - $10,008 Monthly
Applicants must have completed a California POST-approved Basic Academy or possess a valid POST certificate.

Lateral Police Officer

Salary: $6,839 - $10,008 Monthly
Must possess a California POST Basic certificate. Candidates from outside the State of California may be considered if they complete the California POST Basic Course waiver process.

Reserve Police Officer – Level I, II, III (Part-Time)

Salary: $20.10 - $25.50 Hourly
Level I: Duties include performing a variety of peace officer duties in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, crime prevention, and suppression.
Level II: Provide general law enforcement and support duties.
Level III: Are "career reserves." Must have the skills, expertise, trade, or profession that would benefit the police department.

Public Safety Dispatcher

Salary: $64,320 - $95,028 Annually
Send out personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service based on information secured from incoming calls and according to established procedures.

Community Service Officer

Salary: $53,268 - $78,696 Annually
Perform various assignments within the police department in a non-sworn capacity such as report writing, crime scene investigations, crime prevention, and more.

Police Records Specialist

Salary: $50,172 - $74,136 Annually
Enter information and data, and process and maintain police department records and files.

Police Cadet (Part-Time)

Salary: $16.00 Hourly
The goal of the Police Cadet Program is to expose young men and women to different aspects of police work to prepare them for a career in law enforcement. CLICK HERE for more details.

Selection Process

WRITTEN EXAM (PELLETB or NTN)

Garden Grove accepts test scores from both the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) and the National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam. These tests measure skills that are associated with successful performance as a California peace officer.

*PELLETB or NTN is not required for community service officer, police records specialist, or cadet positions.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)

Mile Run: To pass, you must complete the following, in order, in ten (10) minutes and 30 seconds or less.

1. Run one (1) lap around the designated track;
2. Perform ten (10) full standard push-ups;
3. Run one (1) lap around the designated track;
4. Perform fifteen (15) basic squats;
5. Run two (2) laps around the designated track; and
6. Perform ten (10) traditional burpees.

Dummy Drag: To pass, you must lift and drag a 165 lb. dummy 35 feet in 10.3 seconds or less.

Grip Test: To pass, you must complete the following and hang for a minimum of thirty-five (35) seconds:

1. Grip the overhead bar in a pronated (palms facing away) shoulder-width position;
2. Fully extend your arms; and
3. Suspend your feet from the ground.

*PAT is not required for public safety dispatcher, community service officer, police records specialist, or cadet positions.

ORAL PANEL INTERVIEW

What to Expect:

• The interview panel consist of two to five experts in the related field.
• The panel members will take turns asking questions. Be sure to address your responses to all panel members, not just the one asking the question.
• While you are speaking, the panel members may be taking notes.
• The panel members will use your interview responses along with other information, such as your application packet, resume, and supplemental responses to assess your qualifications.
• You will be notified of your results by e-mail.

Background Investigation and Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA)
Medical Exam
Psychological Exam

*** California Peace Officer Candidate Selection Process - Click here for more information

Benefits for Sworn Police Officers

• Contributions toward medical, dental, and vision premiums for employee and family
• GGPOA paid percentage of lifetime medical
• Military Service buyback through CalPERS
• Military leave with pay
• Tuition reimbursement
• Education Incentive
• Longevity pay
• Bilingual pay