In order to become a Police Officer, candidates must meet certain qualifications. 

Qualification guidelines:

• Education: High school graduate or equivalent
• Age: 21 years of age by date of appointment as Officer
• License: Valid California Class C Driver's License
• Authorization to Work: Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law
• Vision: 20/20 each eye corrected or uncorrected. Normal color vision.
• Hearing: Normal hearing acuity.
• Height/Weight: In proportion to age and frame.

Automatic Background Disqualifiers:

In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, candidates must be of good moral character and be able to pass a comprehensive background.  At minimum, there are specific background items that will prohibit a candidate from moving on in the selection process.  Please click the following link to view of list of background disqualifiers. 

• Background Disqualifiers

Click on the following link to view the detailed job postings and submit an on-line application: 

• City of Costa Mesa Employment Opportunities

Select the appropriate position:

• Police Recruit (Entry Level)
• Police Officer (Experienced & Academy Graduates)
• Reserve Police Officer (Level 1)

Police Officer (Experienced Officer / Academy Graduate) applicants do NOT need to take the written exam, and can move on to Step 4.

Police Recruit and Reserve applicants must submit results from either the National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam OR POST PELLETB.  Test scores must be dated within one year of application date.  CMPD does NOT administer the written exam.

Passing written scores for CMPD are as follows:

NTN Frontline Law Enforcement exam:

• Video:65% or higher
• Reading:70% or higher
• Writing:70% or higher

-OR-

POST PELLETB exam:

• Total T-score - 45 or higher

Qualified applicants will be invited to the PAT.  The PAT is typically scheduled several times per year.  

PAT Requirements:

• 30 pushups in 2 minutes
• 30 sit-ups in 2 minutes
• Drag a 165 lbs. dummy 33 feet in less than 11 seconds
• 6 trigger pulls with each hand
• Run 500 yards in less than 1 minute and 55 seconds

To view a video detailing the PAT components click here.

Applicants who pass the PAT will move on to an Oral Board Interview conducted by a panel of Field Training Officers and/or supervisors.  The interview is designed to assess an applicant’s level of experience, problem solving ability, communication skills, interest/motivation, interpersonal skills, and community involvement/awareness.

Applicants who pass the Oral Board Interview will then be interviewed by the Training and Recruitment Team to further assess their qualifications to move on in the selection process.

Applicants undergo a polygraph examination.  During the polygraph, the examiner will determine the truthfulness of responses to background questions.

Applicants who are selected to continue in the hiring process undergo a comprehensive background investigation.  A background investigator will verify work history, contact personal references, co-workers, neighbors, and conduct their own interview with the applicant.  Among other items, applicants’ credit status, driving record and criminal history will also be reviewed.

The Chief of Police will interview the applicants to personally assess their qualifications and compatibility within the organization.

Once the conditional offer has been accepted, the candidate will undergo psychological and medical evaluation to determine if they meet the requirements to become a Police Officer. 

Upon successful completion of all the outlined steps, the candidate may receive a final job confirmation letter.