Minimum Qualifications 

All police officer candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Must be at least 20.5 years of age
• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship
• Possess a high school diploma or G.E. D. equivalent
• Possess a valid California Driver's License
• May not have misdemeanor convictions involving domestic violence or convicted of any felony. Other high grade misdemeanors may also be a disqualifying factor

Application Review

All applicants are required to complete a City application. When submitting your application, you must provide clear, concise, and complete information regarding your qualifications for the position. Those candidates whose qualifications best meet the City's needs will be invited to participate in further testing for the position.

Written Examination

The written P.O.S.T. examination will test applicants' skills in vocabulary, spelling and reading comprehension. The exam also tests the applicant's general knowledge and may have some reference to law enforcement principles. Test examples may be found on the P.O.S.T. Website. A written test is not administered to Police Officer Lateral or Pre-Service applicants.

Oral Interview

The oral interview is the first assessment of the applicant's qualifications and verbal skills. Failure to attain a passing score on this interview will result in the applicant's disqualification from further processing. Applicants who obtain a passing score will be placed on an eligibility list, which is valid for six months (6), and may be selected to proceed in the process.

Background Investigation

Applicants who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process are required to undergo a thorough background investigation. The investigation is used to determine an applicant's moral character and suitability for employment in law enforcement. The investigation shall include, but is not limited to, the following reviews: criminal record, polygraph examination, driving record, credit history, military record, current and previous employment history and references.

Psychological & Medical Exam

Applicants will be evaluated for their suitability for employment. All applicants must also successfully complete a City medical examination, including a drug screening, to determine if they meet the City's medical standards for the position of Police Officer.

For more information on these requirements, you may contact Human Resources at hr@cathedralcity.gov, or visit the P.O.S.T. website.

Cathedral City Citizens on Patrol (COPs) is a non-profit volunteer organization that consists of a group of dedicated volunteers organized to serve as ambassadors of the City and the eyes and ears of the Cathedral City Police Department.

 

Cathedral City COP members are not police officers; they are a valued resource to the Cathedral City Police Department and an integral strategic partnership for ensuring safe homes and communities through community policing.

Opportunities within the Police Department

Citizens on Patrol have the opportunity to work in different areas of the Police Department, such as:

• Patrol
• Records
• Traffic Bureau
• Special Events
• Major Incidents

New opportunities are opening up for COP to assist the department every year. All COP personnel receive special training from sworn police officers and attend monthly meetings.

Cathedral City Citizens on Patrol are a tremendous help to the department in so many other ways. Come join NOW!

If you would like more information on the Citizens On Patrol program, please contact Sgt. Heather Olsen by email or phone at (760) 770-0398.

The Cathedral City Police Explorer Program is designed to assist young adults through training, education and preparing them for a career in law enforcement. The Police Department has strict policies in place to develop responsibility and professionalism while also instilling strong morals and ethics in our young adults that carry over to many careers other than law enforcement. Candidates who wish to become Explorers must successfully complete and pass the testing and background process to become Explorers.

Explorers assist Police Officers and Police Personnel in a variety of assignments such as Patrol, DUI Check Points, Dispatch, and Records as well as attending the Explorers Conference Competition in Las Vegas, Training Academy in San Diego, and the Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorers Competition in Paso Robles. During the one-week training academy in San Diego they are educated on laws, arrest and control, physical fitness, and training scenarios. The Explorer Post also has weekly meetings which are held every Thursday at 6:30pm at The Cathedral City Police Department.

 Qualifications to become an Explorer:

• Age Range 14 to 21
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (If in School)
• No Criminal Record
• Time Commitment: 2 hours every Thursday Evening (Starts at 6:30pm)
• Candidates must be able to attend the special details and functions as mandated by the Explorer Post Advisors

If you are interested in participating or want to learn more about the Cathedral City Police Explorer Program, please contact Sergeant Jeff Barnett at (760)770-0381.