How to Become a UCSF Police Officer

1. Review standards
2. Submit résumé
3. Submit application
4. Take POST exam (entry-level only)
5. Schedule ride-along
6. Oral board interview
7. Complete forms
8. Interview with chief
9. Background investigation
10. Medical evaluation
11. Psychological assessment
12. Final decision by chief
13. Candidate hired

Police Recruitment Process

All Applicants: Lateral, academy graduate and entry-level

1. Review the Peace Officer Selection Standards.
2. Submit your résumé and cover letter to UCSF Human Resources. Reference the job requisition number.
3. Qualified applicants will be asked to submit a UCSF Police Department Employment Application via email, mail or fax. If the application is emailed, applicant must agree in the email to the application agreement on the last page.
4. Entry-Level Applicants Only: Entry-level applicants must pass a written Peace Officers Standard Assessment (POST) examination. Applicants will be notified if UCSF Police Department has an exam scheduled. If not, applicants may take the exam at another agency and forward the test scores to UCSF Police Department. A passing score is 48. NOTE: At this time, we are only accepting applications from academy graduates and lateral officers with current POST certification.
5. Qualified applicants will be scheduled for an oral board interview. Their applicant status changes to candidate.
6. Candidates are encouraged to schedule a ride-along before the oral board interview by contacting the watch commander at 415/476-1414.
7. The oral board interview, conducted by at least two members of the UCSF Police Department sworn staff, is one hour. Passing score is 80 or above. Candidate is notified at the conclusion of the interview if he or she passed.
8. Passing candidates are asked to submit the Personal History Statement, Background Questionnaire and Agencies Applied-to forms.
9. Submit completed forms to the Background Investigations Unit for review and consideration based on hiring requirements. Passing candidates are scheduled for a one-hour interview with the chief of police, and the interview is pass/fail. Candidates are notified at the conclusion of the interview with the chief if they passed.
10. Passing candidates enter the background investigation phase, which includes an interview and fingerprinting. Candidate will need to sign a waiver form, authorizing the UCSF Police Department to conduct a full background investigation.
11. The background investigation can take 30 to 45 days. A written report is submitted to the chief of police for review. The chief of police will pass or fail the candidate, based on the report results.
12. Passing candidates are scheduled for a medical evaluation and psychological assessment. Candidates are given a conditional offer of employment. Results from the agencies are normally returned in seven business days upon conclusion of the examinations.
13. The chief of police will pass or fail the candidate, based on examination results. Candidates are notified by mail or email, or both.
14. Passing candidates are hired. Entry-level candidates are sponsored at a basic training academy. NOTE: At this time, we are only accepting applications from academy graduates and lateral officers with current POST certification.
15. Candidates who do not pass at any point during the recruitment process can reapply in six months.

Police Recruitment Process

Out-of-State Applicants

Police officers from outside California or police officers in California who have had a three-year break in service may apply for a basic course waiver or complete a POST requalification course.

1. Go to www.post.ca.gov for detailed information on the waiver process and the requalification course.
2. Once requirements are met, applicants receive a certificate and should forward a copy with their résumé and application.
3. Recruitment steps outlined in the Police Recruitment Process will then apply.

Dispatcher Recruitment Steps

How to Become a UCSF PD Dispatcher

1. Review standards
2. Submit résumé
3. Submit application
4. Take POST exam (entry-level only)
5. Oral board interview
6. Complete forms
7. Interview with captain
8. Background investigation
9. Medical evaluation
10. Psychological assessment
11. Final decision by captain
12. Candidate hired

Dispatcher Recruitment Steps

All Applicants: Lateral and entry-level

1. Review the Dispatcher Selection Standards.
2. Submit your résumé and cover letter to UCSF Human Resources. Reference the job requisition number.
3. Qualified applicants will be asked to submit a UCSF Police Department Employment Application via email or fax. If application is emailed, applicant must agree in the email to the application agreement on the last page.
4. Entry-Level Applicants Only: Entry-level applicants must pass the written POST Dispatcher Test. Applicants will be notified if the UCSF Police Department has a test scheduled. If not, applicants may take the test at another agency and forward the test scores to UCSF Police Department. A passing score is 50.
5. Qualified applicants will be scheduled for oral board interview. Their applicant status changes to candidate.
6. The oral board interview, conducted by at least two members of the UCSF Police Department dispatch staff, is one hour. The interview is pass/fail. Candidate is notified at the conclusion of the interview if he or she passed.
7. Passing candidates are asked to submit the Personal History Statement, Background Questionnaire and Agencies Applied-to forms.
8. Submit completed forms to the Background Investigations Unit for review and consideration based on hiring requirements. Passing candidates are scheduled for a one-hour interview with the Investigations & Support Services captain, and the interview is pass/fail. Candidates are notified at the conclusion of the interview if they passed.
9. Passing candidates enter the background investigation phase, which includes an interview and fingerprinting. Candidate will need to sign a waiver form, authorizing the UCSF Police Department to conduct a full background investigation.
10. The background investigation can take 30 to 45 days. A written report is submitted to the Investigations & Support Services captain for review. The captain will pass or fail the candidate, based on the report results.
11. Passing candidates are scheduled for a medical evaluation and psychological assessment. Candidates are given a conditional offer of employment. Results from the agencies are normally returned in seven business days upon conclusion of the examinations.
12. The captain will pass or fail the candidate, based on examination results. Candidates who do not pass will be notified by mail or email, or both.
13. Passing candidates are hired, and any entry-level candidates are sent to a Public Safety Dispatchers’ Basic Course.
14. Candidates who do not pass at any point during the recruitment process can reapply in six months.