Salary : $92,601.60 - $112,569.60 Annually
Location : Carlsbad, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 062026
Department: Police
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:00 PM Pacific

The Position
**YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE IF

YOU DO NOT ATTACH THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
**PLEASE REVIEW THIS JOB POSTING IN ITS ENTIRETY

TO ENSURE YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETE BEFORE SUBMITTING.
Selected candidates from this recruitment will attend

the San Diego Regional Police Academy on November 2, 2026, or subsequent academies.

For more information on the Carlsbad Police Department, click here: www.carlsbadpolice.com

The Carlsbad Police Department's "Ideal Candidate" exemplifies department values, is a leader, role model, team player, and problem solver. The Police Recruit attends the Regional Law Enforcement Academy and participates in departmental training and orientation programs to prepare for a professional law enforcement career. This is a non-sworn, civilian police officer trainee class designed only to employ Police Officer candidates during the initial, formalized, basic police officer training. Police Recruit is distinguished from the next higher class, Police Officer, in that recruits are not assigned any active law enforcement duties and do not have Police Officer powers. Upon successful completion of training, recruits are appointed and sworn in as Police Officers.
Selection Process
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY:
The City of Carlsbad accepts California Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (Pellet-B), also known as the POST Reading and Writing Test. The test is designed to measure four skills associated with reading and writing; clarity, vocabulary, spelling, and reading comprehension. There are no math or essay questions.

You are exempted from taking the Pellet-B test if you meet the following criteria:

• Possess an associate degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America) AND/OR
• Have taken the California POST Pellet-B or similar qualifying exam within six (6) months of date of application and acquired a T-score of 46 or higher in all areas (reading, writing and overall).
• Please attach a copy of your degree or transcripts confirming your degree, or foreign equivalency certificate issued by an accredited association, AND/OR passing Pellet-B score to your application. This should be in the form of a letter from the organization that administered the California POST entry-level law enforcement test battery (Pellet-B). The letter must indicate candidate's name, date of exam and T-scores for the reading, writing, and overall sections.

Applicants should wear professional attire throughout the selection process beginning with the written exam.

Physical Ability Test: California POST compliant physical agility test will be conducted on Saturday, August 1, 2026. A prescreen background interview will also take place on this day.

Oral Board Panel Interview: Appraisal of general experience, education, judgment, problem-solving ability, and communication skills. The most highly qualified candidates will continue in the selection process. The oral board is scheduled tentatively for August 5-6, 2026.

Background Appraisal Interview: Completion and review of a detailed personal history statement. Candidates meeting the basic criteria will continue with a background investigation.

Comprehensive Background Investigation: Candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation of their personal history and suitability for employment as a law enforcement officer based on the job dimensions identified by POST. There are certain types of conduct that are automatic grounds for disqualification. Please refer to the "Pre-Employment Disqualifying Criteria" below to help you identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process. This investigation includes a polygraph examination.
Captains' Interview: Personal interviews with the Captains of Field Operations and Support Operations.

Final Steps: Psychological and medical evaluations before hire are required. The Chief of Police may select/appoint any individual who has successfully completed the process. Appointments are probationary for one year.
Key Responsibilities
Attends the Regional Law Enforcement Academy, certified by the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training POST, to obtain a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system and specialized training in various laws, law enforcement techniques, practices, and procedures, and first aid.

Attends classroom lectures.

Observes demonstrations on arrest and control methods and the care and use of firearms.

Participates in physical conditioning and self-defense exercises.

Practices the use of firearms.

Takes examinations.

Participates in orientation programs under supervision to develop an awareness of the duties, activities, and responsibilities of a Police Officer.

Qualifications
Ability to:

Observe, learn understand and interpret various laws, police practices and procedures.

Analyze problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take appropriate action in stressful situations.

Undergo strenuous physical conditioning.

Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports in English.

Compute basic arithmetic problems.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Experience & Education

• In possession of and able to maintain a State of California Class C driver's license or have the ability to acquire one prior to appointment.
• No less than 21 years old at the time of appointment.
• High school graduate or have passed GED test. Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these abilities would be graduation from high school or equivalent.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula
  • Pension contribution limitations set by PEPRA are currently $151,549 for new members or $280,000 for classic members
• Bilingual Pay
• Holidays - 11 scheduled holidays
• Paid vacation
• Computer purchase loan
• Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here:
01

As an applicant for a position with the Carlsbad Police Department, you are required to complete this Backgrounds Pre-Screening Form. You are admonished with the following: "I am aware that any false statement or omission on this questionnaire will cause my name to be removed from the eligibility list, or be considered for immediate dismissal if an appointment is made." All of your answers will be scrutinized during a thorough background investigation. PLEASE NOTE: one word answers are NOT acceptable for questions 5-22. You must include dates if answered in the affirmative. If you do not fully explain your affirmative answers, your application will be rejected. Please initial below indicating your understanding.
02

As stated in the job posting, you are exempted from taking the Pellet-B test if you meet the following criteria:• Possess an associate degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America) AND/OR• Have taken the California POST Pellet-B exam within six (6) months of date of application and acquired a T-score of 46 or higher in all areas (reading, writing and overall).If you meet the above criteria, have you attached a copy of your degree or transcripts confirming your degree, or foreign equivalency certificate issued by an accredited association, AND/OR passing Pellet-B score to your application? This should be in the form of a letter from the organization that administered the California POST entry-level law enforcement test battery (Pellet-B). The letter must indicate candidate's name, date of exam and T-scores for the reading, writing, and overall sections. Please indicate "Yes" or "N/A" if this does not apply. Your application will be considered incomplete without these documents attached if they apply, so please do not submit your application without attaching the appropriate documents if applicable.
03

What is your highest level of education?

• Attending High School
• High School / GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher
• None of the above

04

Have you graduated from high school or passed a GED test?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a California Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

06

You must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment. Do you meet the minimum age requirement for this job?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you completed a Pellet-B or similar exam within the last six months?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what exam did you take and what was your score? score? (For Pellet-B, provide your T-score in all areas: reading, writing and overall)
09

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any crime, as an adult or juvenile, or have you ever been detained as part of a criminal investigation (excluding traffic citations)?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
11

Excluding the use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, have you ever used or experimented with any substance, drug or narcotic, even one time?

• Yes
• No

12

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
13

Have or do you participate in any behavior legal or not that may be considered risky behavior? (alcohol-related crime, prostitution, illegal sexual contact, drug use, etc)

• Yes
• No

14

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
15

Have you ever been involved in a fight?

• Yes
• No

16

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail any/all fights. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
17

Do you have, or have you ever had, a poor credit rating and/or any accounts in collections?

• Yes
• No

18

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail why you have/had a poor credit rating and/or why you have/had any accounts in collections. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
19

Have you ever had any traffic citations? Any that do not currently show on your motor vehicle print-out.

• Yes
• No

20

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
21

Have you ever been formally disciplined by a past or present employer including verbal warning, written reprimand, or an Internal Affairs investigation, and/or terminated?

• Yes
• No

22

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide a description and the value of the item(s). If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
23

Have you ever stolen anything from an employer?

• Yes
• No

24

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".
Required Question