City And Job Overview
The City of Garden Grove is currently accepting online applications for the position of:
POLICE RECRUIT
Deadline to apply for this recruitment is
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST
Click here to apply online: Join Our Team
GARDEN GROVE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department consists of 182 sworn staff including a chief, three (3) captains, seven (7) lieutenants, 23 sergeants and 148 police officers, in addition to civilian personnel. After sufficient experience in the department, specialization is available in Patrol, Investigations, Juvenile Services, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Vice-Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Suppression Unit, Community Impact Unit, or Canine Handler. An outstanding in-service training program provides officers with extensive, continuous instruction in basic and specialized police techniques. Patrol officers work a modified 3/12.5 work schedule.
BEING A POLICE RECRUIT
Candidates who are successful in our selection process will be hired in a non-sworn capacity as a Police Recruit and placed in a California POST-approved Basic Academy. Recruits then receive 984 hours of rigorous and intense training in all aspects of law enforcement. Recruits are eligible for medical and dental benefits while in the academy.
Following academy graduation, a Police Recruit may be hired as a sworn police officer based on overall academy performance, evaluations, referrals and availability of positions. The Recruit's performance will be subject to review by City staff to determine appointment as a regular police officer. All new police officers serve an 18-month probationary period. Compensation for police officers starts at $7,655 per month, with full benefits, additional compensation for certified bilingual skills, and great educational incentives.
Essential Duties
DUTIES WHILE IN THE POLICE ACADEMY
Police Recruits attend a California POST-approved Basic Academy to participate in a strict and intensive training program, including: memorization and hands-on practice of law enforcement techniques, specific laws and procedures; rigorous physical training; daily homework; first aid training; uniform, equipment and weapons handling techniques; and other duties as assigned. This is all designed to provide an in-depth overview of the criminal justice system and what is necessary to be a successful and well-prepared police officer.
Requirements
AGE: Applicants must be 21 years of age upon completion of the academy training in order to be appointed to a position of sworn police officer. Applicants must be at least 20 years of age at time of application.
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be in excellent physical condition, and able to perform all tasks required of a Garden Grove police officer. Vision: Bilateral vision must be at least 20/100 correctable to 20/30 with no evidence of color blindness. Hearing: Hearing aids are not acceptable. Applicants with an average hearing loss of 26 dB in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, or more, in their better ear; and 46 dB in the 3000 c.p.s. range in the other ear are disqualified. (ANSI standard).
WORK AUTHORIZATION: Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States under federal law.
CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE & DRIVING RECORD: Applicants must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license and an acceptable driving record prior to and throughout employment. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions.
ADDITIONAL ABILITIES & SKILLS: Applicants must demonstrate that they possess: the ability to pay close attention to detail; the ability to understand and accurately apply oral and written instructions, laws, orders, policies and procedures; effective oral communication, record keeping and report writing skills; strong customer service skills; and the ability to work closely, cooperatively and effectively with City staff members, Garden Grove's diverse citizens and various representatives of other agencies.
BILINGUAL SKILLS: Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.
Other Important Information
How To Apply
Applications may be completed online by visiting www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to ggjobs@ggcity.org. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The deadline to apply is Monday, January 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST
Online Application Packets Must Include
- a completed online employment application, and
- a completed supplemental questionnaire.
The job application must be completely filled out. Please do not refer to a resume. Only applicants who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation.
APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL ONLY. Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.
SELECTION PROCESS
- APPLICATION SCREENING
- WRITTEN EXAMINATION Test scores must be received by the deadline of February 2, 2026 from one of the two test options below. Failure to complete one of the options below may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. Candidates may submit existing test scores that were taken within the prior year but still valid on February 2, 2026. Test scores must meet the minimum passing score(s) to be accepted.
National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam
- Passing score: 61.5 on Human Relations, 65 on Reading, and 65 on Writing
- This exam is administered directly by the NTN and candidates pay a test fee for the service. Please visit the NTN website for more information on testing locations and pricing.
- To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here. Select the Garden Grove Police Department and the specific position you are applying to.
- NTN will submit your scores to Garden Grove Human Resources for review. Candidates should plan accordingly to allow adequate time for exam scoring and delivery by the deadline.
- OR -
P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)
- Passing score: Total T-Score - 42 or higher
- Garden Grove Human Resources does not have any PELLETB test dates scheduled. However, if you have taken the PELLETB test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.
- PELLETB score may be attached to your online application or emailed to ggjobs@ggcity.org.
- PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST - tentatively scheduled for February 7, 2026
- PANEL INTERVIEW - tentatively scheduled for February 11, 2026
- THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
- COMPUTER VOICE STRESS ANALYSIS (CVSA) EXAMINATION
- PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
- PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION (which includes a back x-ray, treadmill stress test, and drug and alcohol screening)
The selection process takes approximately 180 days from initial application to final selection depending on the duration of each step during the selection process. Some of the steps may take longer than anticipated due to availability and scheduling.
Applicants who fail any part of the selection process will not be considered for the position.
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.
RE-APPLICATION
Candidates Who Applied For The Police Recruit Position With The City Of Garden Grove In The Past And Did Not Pass The Following Tests In The Selection Process May Re-apply As Indicated
- Physical Agility Test: May apply as often as given.
- POST Written Test (PELLETB): May apply as often as given, but applicants must wait 30 calendar days before retaking a POST exam per POST policy.
- National Testing Network (NTN): May apply as often as given, but applicants are subject to NTN's retesting policies.
- Panel Interview: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
- Background Investigation (including CVSA exam): Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
- Psychological Evaluation: Applicant must wait twelve months to reapply.
Who To Contact
For further questions, please contact Corporal Benjamin Elizondo at bene@ggcity.org or Human Resources Analyst Ashleigh Anderson Camba at ashleighc@ggcity.org.
NEPOTISM POLICY
The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
Follow GGPD On Social Media
Facebook (keyword: Garden Grove Police Department)
Twitter @GardenGrovePD
Instagram gardengrovepd
City of Garden Grove's Excellent Police Recruit Benefits!
MEDICAL AND DENTAL BENEFITS: Available while being sponsored during the police academy.
RETIREMENT: Part-time employees participate in a deferred compensation package, which means that payroll retirement payments will be deducted from their pay and placed in a deferred compensation account, to be available after the employee leaves or retires. If the employee works in excess of 1,000 hours within a single fiscal year, the employee must then enroll in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), instead of continuing in the deferred compensation program, as above. If this occurs, employees contribute half of the normal cost into PERS.
SICK LEAVE: Employees receive sick leave time in accordance with the California Health Workplace Healthy Family Act (AB1522).
RIDESHARE PROGRAM: A variety of Rideshare incentives are provided, such as gift certificates and transportation subsidies.
01
Please carefully read these instructions: Your responses to the supplemental questions below will be used to determine your qualifications for the position. You are required to answer ALL of the supplemental questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Your responses to these questions are subject to verification and may be assessed in subsequent examination parts. Any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration may result in disqualification from this examination process.
- Yes - I have read and understood this information
- No - I have read and understood this information and wish to voluntarily withdraw my application from this process
02
Do you possess an education equivalent to graduation from high school or higher? (You may be asked to provide documentation to verify this educational requirement).
03
Our Sworn positions have a minimum age requirement of 21 years old. By the application deadline of January 26, 2026, will you be age 20 or older?
04
Have you graduated from a California POST Basic Academy?
05
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what academy did you attend and what date did you graduate? If "yes," consider applying for Police Officer - Academy Trained. If you answered "No" to the previous question, please write "N/A" in the space provided below.
06
Are you currently enrolled in a California POST Basic Academy? If yes, please consider submitting an application for Police Recruit - Academy Enrolled.
07
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what academy are you attending and what is your anticipated graduation date?
If you answered "No" to the previous question, please write "N/A" in the space provided below.
08
Have you applied for the position of Police Recruit with the City of Garden Grove within the past 12 months?
09
Candidates who failed the panel interview for Police Recruit with the City of Garden Grove must wait 12 months to re-apply for the same position. Have you failed the panel interview for Police Recruit within the last 12 months?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable - I did not participate in the panel interview process for this position within the last 12 months
10
Candidates who failed the background investigation process (including CVSA exam) with the City of Garden Grove must wait 12 months to re-apply for the same position. Have you failed the background investigation process for Police Recruit with the City of Garden Grove within the last 12 months?
- Yes
- No
- Not appicable - I did not participate in the background investigation (including CVSA exam) process for this position within the last 12 months
11
Candidates who failed the psychological examination with the City of Garden Grove must wait 12 months to re-apply for the same position. Have you failed the psychological examination for Police Recruit with the City of Garden Grove within the last 12 months?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable - I did not participate in the psychological examination process for this position within the last 12 months
12
The ability to read, write, or speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable but not necessary to be successful in this position.
Of the following languages, please check all of the languages in which you are fluent. (Being fluent is defined as having the ability to read, speak, or write a foreign language effectively and with relative ease)
Check all that apply.
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
- Korean
- Other
- Not Applicable
13
As an adult, have you ever been convicted (or are currently out on bail or out on your own recognizance pending trial) of a felony?
14
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please give the date(s) and provide relevant details, such as the offense, where the violation occurred, sentence, status, etc.
If you answered "No" to the question above, please write "N/A" in the space provided.
15
As an adult, have you ever been convicted (or are currently out on bail or out on your own recognizance pending trial) of a misdemeanor (including DUI, street racing, driving with a suspended license, etc.) other than a minor traffic violation(s)?
16
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please give the date(s) and provide relevant details, such as the offense, where the violation occurred, sentence, status, etc.
If you answered "No" to the question above, please write "N/A" in the space provided.
