Your Career,

your future

The Richmond Police Department is currently accepting application for Lateral Police Officer, Police Officer Trainee, Academy Graduate, and Police Cadet.

Richmond POlice Department

The City of Richmond Police Department, located in the East Bay Area in Contra Costa County (California), proudly protects and serves our Richmond community 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

police officer career
police officer career

Police Officer Trainee

earn $7,257 / month

If you are currently attending or not yet attended the police academy.

ACADEMY GRADUATE

earn $9,902-$11,422+ / month*

*Highest salary applies to an academy grad assigned to a swing shift with a a bachelor’s degree.

If you have graduated from a California Post Accredited Police Academy and are not currently working as a sworn peace officer.

LATERAL POLICE OFFICER

earn $10,398-$13,289 / month*

*Highest salary applies to a lateral officer at the Top Step with 5 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree. Includes the following incentives: Graveyard Differential (+7.5% base), Longevity (+2% base), Bilingual (+2% base).

If you are currently employed as a sworn peace officer in the State of California and have completed your probationary period.

Professional Career
professional career

POLICE CADET

earn $17.65-$21.42 / hour

*On the job training program - no experience required

The goals of the Police Cadet program are to expose men and women to the various aspects of police work in order to prepare them for a career in law enforcement. Police Cadets will promote the community's opportunity to enjoy a safe and positive environment.

frequently asked questions
What careers and positions are available at Richmond PD?

We are actively hiring for Police Officer (entry level, direct, and lateral) positions, as well as Communications Dispatcher (entry-level and per-diem) positions!  Recruitments for police support staff positions (Records Specialists, Property Technicians, and Crime Scene Technicians - just to name a few!) are posted as the positions become available.

Do I need a college degree to apply?

No - a college degree is NOT required to apply for many of the positions here at RPD!

Several positions, however, do require completion of some college credits (or proof of honorable discharge from the Armed Forces) to meet minimum qualifications:

  • Police Officer Trainee (Entry-Level):  10 semester or 15 quarter units

  • Police Officer Direct and/or Lateral: 30 semester of 45 quarter units, plus completion of a POST-certified Basic Academy (or equivalent, verified and approved by California POST).

What is the Police Officer hiring process?

We're glad you asked!

First, make sure you meet the minimum qualifications of the position you are applying for!

(Trainees - you need a T-score before you apply!  Click on the Pellet-B Exam question in the FAQs)

Next, submit your application on the Academy Grad (Direct) applicants,  who are selected to proceed may anticipate the following process:

Once your application is received and a testing date is scheduled, you'll be invited to attend our testing process.   Questions about your application status?  Visit our Contact a Recruiter page to submit an inquiry.

Police Officer Trainee and Academy Grad (Direct) applicants,  who are selected to proceed may anticipate the following process:

  • Successfully complete an Oral Board Interview, Physical Agility Test, and Writing Sample

  • Provide a Personal History Statement (PHS) for reviewSatisfactorily complete a Polygraph Examination

  • Undergo a thorough Background Investigation

  • Participate in an interview with the Chief of Police, or designated hiring authority

  • Satisfactorily complete a Psychological and Medical Examination

Police Officer Lateral candidates may anticipate a similar hiring process, with the exception of a modified Physical Agility Test.

Upon successful completion...Congratulations!  Welcome home, to Richmond PD!

What is a Pellet-B Exam and T-Score?

The California POST Pellet-B Exam is a multiple-choice written examination designed to measure reading and writing ability.   A "T-Score" is a standardized score result, that is calculated based upon your test answers (midpoint average of 50, standard deviation of 10).

If you are applying for a Police Officer Trainee (entry-level) or Communications Dispatcher I (entry-level) position, you must submit a "T-Score" result of 48 or higher, dated within one year from the date of your application.

To learn more about the CA POST Pellet-B Exam for Police Officers, please click here.

To learn more about the CA POST Pellet-B Exam for Dispatchers, please click here.

Start your application
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.