Clerically Amended on March 16, 2026
Application Opening: September 23, 2025 to Continuous
Recruitment ID: X00018
Join a highly respected Police Department and serve the residents and visitors of one of the most beautiful cities in the country. San Francisco is a world-class city with a world-class police team. From Fisherman's Wharf to Golden Gate Park and from Nob Hill to China Town, whether we're on foot patrol, or in squad cars, responding to emergencies or leading classes on public safety, we'd love to work with you in keeping our community safe.
The San Francisco Police Department is seeking POST Academy Graduates who have completed a certified California POST Basic Academy within the last three (3) years. San Francisco Police Officers perform a wide variety of duties to promote public safety and security, prevent crime and enforce the law. Police officers perform a number of essential functions. For example, they patrol districts to prevent and detect crime; respond to calls for assistance; conduct criminal investigations; interact with the community to build cooperation and support; pursue and arrest suspects; enforce traffic and parking laws; write reports and maintain records; work with superiors, peers, and others as a team; prepare for and participate in planned events; prepare for court and give testimony; and fulfill other administrative duties when required. This is much more than a job; it is an opportunity to build a career of which you can be proud.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (please note that the following eligibility Requirements will be verified during Background Investigation)
Certification: Possess a California POST Basic Academy completion certificate issued within the last three (3) years*
Education: Applicants must be a U.S. High School Graduate or have passed a G.E.D. or the California High School Proficiency Examination or have an AA or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the United States in accordance with (Government Code 1031(e) (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1031.&lawCode=GOV)
Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the time of appointment.
Driver's License: Applicants must possess and maintain a valid driver license to operate an automobile at the time of application and throughout the selection process. Possession of a valid California Driver License is required prior to the date of hire.
Judicial Record: Applicants must NOT have been:
Convicted of a felony;
Convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;
Convicted of any misdemeanor that carries a penalty of prohibiting ownership, possession or control or a firearm; or
Restricted from employment with the City and County of San Francisco.
*Applicants currently enrolled in a California POST Basic Academy are eligible to apply and participate in the selection process. However, applicants will remain under General Waiver until they graduate from the academy and submit proof of completion.
VERIFICATION OF MINIMUM QUALFICATIONS
A copy of your POST Basic Academy completion certificate that includes the date of graduation must be submitted with your application.
California Government Code §1031 says that law enforcement officers need a background investigation before getting hired. This investigation checks if a candidate meets the requirements for the job. The Background Unit handles this investigation. It's the applicant's job to give all the needed documents to the Background Unit. The investigation won't start until they have all the documents. If the background packet is incomplete, it will slow down the investigation.
This process includes verifying:
Identity
Education
Employment history
Criminal record
Credit history
More information regarding the Background Investigations process can be found at https://joinsfpd.com/background-investigations/
Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
SELECTION PROCEDURES:
Oral Interview (100%)
The Oral Interview will assess community involvement, interest and motivation, interpersonal skills, problem solving, and oral communication skills. The Oral Interview score will be used to place candidates on the eligible list.
Candidates will be notified via email of their pass/fail status on the Oral Interview. Those that do not pass may request another opportunity to re-take the test no sooner than thirty (30) days from their previous attempt.
Candidates that pass the Oral Interview will have their names added to the eligible list. Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 24 months.
Eligible List Rankings (https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Exam-Information/Public-Safety-Team-Eligible-List-Rankings.pdf)
What else should I know?
Eligible List / Certification Rule
The Police Department has the option to hire any candidate on the eligible list ("Rule of List"). Therefore, placement on this list neither guarantees nor implies that you will be offered employment. The Police Department will administer the remaining processes outlined below to determine who shall advance further in the hiring process and be considered for appointment.
Candidates that are not selected after the background process will be withdrawn from the eligible list and may re-apply two years from the date of their notification.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ .]
In accordance with Civil Service Commission Rule 211.16.1, candidates may appeal the administration of the examination components. All appeals must be filed in writing with the Department of Human Resources within five (5) calendar days of the administration of the examination component giving rise to the appeal. A day that the Department of Human Resources is closed shall not be counted as the fifth (5th) calendar day. Appeals shall be limited as defined in Rule 211.16.1 (https://sfgov.org/civilservice/rule-211-examinations)
SPECIAL NOTES:
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Information About the Hiring Process (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/)
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation (https://careers.sf.gov/accommodations/)
Veterans Preference
Right to Work (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=Identification/Right%20to%20Work)
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=Learn%20more-,Diversity%20Statement,-The%20City%20and)
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Click on the "Apply Now" button on the top or bottom of this page. Follow instructions on the screen to begin the application process.
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. To update your contact information, go to https://www.smartr.me/public/sign-in, Failure to maintain current contact information may result in loss of eligibility.
Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @sfgov.org and @smartrecruiters.com).
Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
For questions about the academy and selection process, you may contact the San Francisco Police Department Recruitment Unit.
Recruiter Javier Acosta
Recruitment Liaison
1-415-575-5875
javier.acosta@sfgov.org
Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please email Jen.Lo@sfgov.org
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
