Join The Team

Bakersfield Police Department

Be the sound of something better.

At the Bakersfield Police Department, we’re passionate about the work we do and the community we serve. As one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the state, we believe in hiring people who possess the qualities and characteristics that make us unique. If you’re looking to have a rewarding career in law enforcement, the Bakersfield Police Department is the agency for you.

Application

Once applied, applicants will go through a series of evaluations, tests, and interviews to determine their potential as a law enforcement officer.

The academy

Hired recruits will begin a law enforcement academy where they learn the basic skills and knowledge needed to be a law enforcement officer.

FTO program

Recruits who successfully graduate from the academy will go on to continue their training under a field training officer.

Probation

Once a recruit completes the FTO program, they will perform the duties of a police officer under the monitoring of department supervisors.

hiring incentives

  • P$4,500 HIRING BONUS
  • P UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT FOR TRAINEES
  • P PAID ACADEMY

hiring incentives

  • P$4,500 HIRING BONUS
  • P UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT FOR TRAINEES
  • P PAID ACADEMY

    Qualities we look for in Candidates

    At bakersfield pd we look for those who have Integrity Passion Accountability Professionalism Compassion Communication Skills Drive

    Qualities we look for in candidates

    At bakersfield pd we look for those who have
    Integrity Passion Accountability Professionalism Compassion Communication Skills Drive

    Special Assignment Opportunites

    • PK-9
    • PSWAT
    • PBomb Squad
    • PTraffic
    • P Bicycle Patrol
    • PVice/Narcotics
    • PImpact Unit
    • PSpecial Enforcement Unit
    • P Police Activites League (PAL)
    • PState and Federal Task Forces
    • PCommunity Relations
    • PCriminal Investigations
    • PCrisis Negotiations Team

    Applicant Requirements

    We are looking for applicants with the ability to unite and interact with a diverse population and are committed to serving all members of our community with sensitivity, empathy, and impartiality.

    Must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment

    Have U.S. high school diploma or G.E.D.

    Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible and applied for citizenship

    Possess a valid “Class C” California’s drivers license

    Are you a lateral or academy graduate?

    For those who are already police officers, or who have graduated from another P.O.S.T. academy, we have a separate recruitment process that bypasses certain steps of the entry-level trainee hiring process. Click the link below to contact our recruiting team for further details.

    Hiring Process

    Hiring Process

    Initial Application

    Go to the City of Bakersfield website (Human Resources) and apply online. Once the application is accepted and minimum qualifications met, the applicant will be notified of the written exam date, time and location. Please make note of any special requirements when submitting your application: some positions require certain certificates or are limited to a certain number of applicants. Be as thorough and correct as possible to increase your chances of advancing to the next step.

    Written Exam

    The California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET – B) written exam is the first phase of the examination process for the Police Trainee position. The exam measures reading and writing ability. A minimum T – Score of 42 is required. (NOTE: If you have already taken the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET – B) exam administered within twelve months of application submission by the City of Bakersfield or with another agency/academy and achieved a T-Score of 42 or higher you are not required to retake the PELLET – B exam. To see a Practice Pellet-B Test, click here. To self-schedule for the next Pellet -B Exam, click here.

    Physical Agility Test

    The physical agility exam is designed to measure the job-related physical characteristics of strength, agility and stamina required of a Police Officer. Candidates are required to successfully pass each testing event. Testing events are timed individually. With the exception of the 500-yard timed run, each test is administered twice, and the time for the fastest trial is used as the candidate’s score. The physical agility test includes a 99-yard obstacle course, 165-pound body drag, 6-foot chain link fence jump, and 500-yard timed run.

    Oral Interview

    Applicants who successfully pass the written exam and physical agility test will be invited to participate in the Oral Board / Interview Panel. The interview panel minimally looks for and evaluates an applicant’s existing job knowledge, job preparation, ability to verbally communicate, and interpersonal skills. Applicants who pass this portion of the process are placed on an eligibility list and may or may not be invited to participate in the background investigation process, depending on the number of current vacancies and needs of the organization.

    Background Investigation

    The applicant will be assigned to a Background Investigator. A comprehensive, in-depth background investigation will be conducted into all aspects of the applicant’s recent past and current life. This process includes an investigation of their personal history and background which includes a polygraph to determine suitability for the position of Police Officer with the Bakersfield Police Department.

    Conditional Offer

    Upon completion of the background investigation, applicants may be invited for a Captain’s Interview for consideration of a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who accept the conditional offer of employment are still required to successfully pass two final steps prior to hire and entry into the Police Academy. These conditions consist of a medical examination and a psychological evaluation by licensed professionals.

    INITIAL APPLICATION

    INITIAL APPLICATION

    Go to the City of Bakersfield website (Human Resources) and apply online. Once the application is accepted and minimum qualifications met, the applicant will be notified of the written exam date, time and location. Please make note of any special requirements when submitting your application: some positions require certain certificates or are limited to a certain number of applicants. Be as thorough and correct as possible to increase your chances of advancing to the next step.

    PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

    PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

    The physical agility exam is designed to measure the job-related physical characteristics of strength, agility and stamina required of a Police Officer. Candidates are required to successfully pass each testing event. Testing events are timed individually. With the exception of the 500-yard timed run, each test is administered twice, and the time for the fastest trial is used as the candidate’s score. The physical agility test includes a 99-yard obstacle course, 165-pound body drag, 6-foot chain link fence jump, and 500-yard timed run.

    BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

    BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

    The applicant will be assigned to a Background Investigator. A comprehensive, in-depth background investigation will be conducted into all aspects of the applicant’s recent past and current life. This process includes an investigation of their personal history and background which includes a polygraph to determine suitability for the position of Police Officer with the Bakersfield Police Department.

    WRITTEN EXAM

    WRITTEN EXAM

    The California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET – B) written exam is the first phase of the examination process for the Police Trainee position. The exam measures reading and writing ability. A minimum T – Score of 42 is required. (NOTE: If you have already taken the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET – B) exam administered within twelve months of application submission by the City of Bakersfield or with another agency/academy and achieved a T-Score of 42 or higher you are not required to retake the PELLET – B exam. To see a Practice Pellet-B Test, click here. To self-schedule for the next Pellet -B Exam, click here.

    ORAL INTERVIEW

    ORAL INTERVIEW

    Applicants who successfully pass the written exam and physical agility test will be invited to participate in the Oral Board / Interview Panel. The interview panel minimally looks for and evaluates an applicant’s existing job knowledge, job preparation, ability to verbally communicate, and interpersonal skills. Applicants who pass this portion of the process are placed on an eligibility list and may or may not be invited to participate in the background investigation process, depending on the number of current vacancies and needs of the organization.

    CONDITIONAL OFFER

    CONDITIONAL OFFER

    Upon completion of the background investigation, applicants may be invited for a Captain’s Interview for consideration of a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who accept the conditional offer of employment are still required to successfully pass two final steps prior to hire and entry into the Police Academy. These conditions consist of a medical examination and a psychological evaluation by licensed professionals.

    Professional Staff Opportunities

    In addition to our sworn personnel, the Bakersfield Police Department also offers a variety of civilian Professional Staff positions. Some of these positions include Police Service Technician, Clerk Typist, Parking Enforcement Technician, Police Report Specialist, Communications Specialist, Police Dispatcher, Animal Control Officer, Digital Forensics Examiner, Community Relations Specialist. Although many of our Professional Staff work behind the scenes, these positions are critical to our organization’s success. Openings for these positions, along with job descriptions, are regularly posted on the City of Bakersfield Human Resources website.

    Contact a recruiter

    Do you think you would be a good fit? Ready to start the process of becoming a part of our team?