Recruitment

We are looking for men and women from all backgrounds who welcome a challenge, and who will uphold our mission statement, "To proudly protect and serve the public with respect and integrity." To those who accept this challenge, we offer great pay and benefits, ample opportunities for specialty assignments and advancement, outstanding training, and the privilege to serve the community of Palo Alto.  

 

How to Apply

The Palo Alto Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Trainee, Police Officer Lateral, and Police Academy Graduate.  Visit our Job Opportunities page to apply!

If you're interested in becoming a Public Safety Dispatcher, we're hiring those too! To apply, visit our Job Opportunities page and select Public Safety Dispatcher I/II from the list of available positions.

For questions about any of these jobs, contact Agent Marco Estrada of the Personnel & Training Unit at 650-329-2181 or marco.estrada@cityofpaloalto.org.

Hiring Process

Interested candidates must complete each of the steps set forth below. Prior to applying with us, though, please check our Disqualification Policy.

Police Officer Positions:

  • POST Reading Comprehension Exam & POST Physical Agility Test (WSTB): Prior to applying, all applicants should complete both of these California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) examinations. They are administered at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium at 560 Bailey Avenue in San Jose. You may register for the examinations online by visiting The Academy's website.  We accept T-Scores and physical agility test results from all California agencies, as long as they are the same as the tests given at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium and they are no more than a year old.  Please contact the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium directly for questions about these examinations.  (Note: lateral applicants and recent academy graduates need not complete these tests)
  • Writing Skills Test
  • Oral Interview Panel
  • Oral Interview with Personnel & Training Division lieutenant
  • Background Investigation (includes a polygraph examination)
  • Interview with Police Chief
  • Psychological Examination
  • Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

Public Safety Dispatcher Positions:

  • CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test:  Prior to applying, all applicants should complete the CritiCall test at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium at 560 Bailey Avenue in San Jose.  There is a fee and you must first register online at The Academy.  (Note: an applicant with one year of dispatch service within the past five years need not complete this test)
  • Oral Interview Panel
  • Background Investigation (includes a polygraph examination)
  • Interview with the Division Coordinator and Police Chief
  • Psychological Examination
  • Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening)

Salary & Benefits

Police Officer Positions:

  • Make $49.74 to $59.12 hourly as a Police Officer
  • 5% additional pay for each of the following: night differential, Field Training Officer (while training), and bilingual
  • 5% additional pay for Intermediate POST certificate, and 7.5% additional pay for Advanced POST certificate (certificates are earned based on years of service and level of education)
  • 3% retention pay for five years of law enforcement service; 6% retention pay for ten years of law enforcement service (five years with PAPD)
  • Work schedule: Rotating 4/11 plan (11-hour shifts; four days on-duty, then four days off-duty) 
  • Optional on-duty workout hour
  • All uniforms and equipment provided, including free ongoing dry-cleaning of uniforms
  • Top-quality health coverage for you and your dependents (maximum monthly City contribution of $2,088 in 2018)
  • Fully-paid dental and vision coverage
  • Fully-paid life insurance equal to annual salary
  • Nine paid holidays every year
  • Two to five weeks of vacation annually, based on years of service
  • 3%@55 PERS retirement for Classic Safety (2.7%@57 PERS retirement for all other safety)
  • Generous retirement health coverage for you and your dependents, based on years of service

Public Safety Dispatcher Positions:

  • Make $34.30 to $44.34 hourly
  • Top-quality health coverage for you and your dependents (maximum monthly City contribution of $2,088 in 2018)
  • Fully-paid dental and vision coverage
  • Fully-paid life insurance equal to annual salary
  • Twelve paid holidays every year
  • Two to five weeks of vacation annually, based on years of service
  • 2%@60 PERS retirement for Classic employees (2%@62 PERS retirement for all others)
  • Generous retirement health coverage for you and your dependents, based on years of service