The following steps listed below are designed to give the applicant a brief overview of the hiring process for the posibon of Police Officer with the Downey Police Department.
Step 1: The beginning of the hiring process is the online employment application. Once the application is received, it will be screened to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met. Submitting an incomplete application may result in disqualification. Refer to the "Employment Opportunities" link on the menu bar for further direction on how to apply.
Step 2: The next step in the process is the written examination. The written examination is a pass/fail test. Written examinations are administered several times a year. When a written examination is scheduled, a written invitation will be mailed out to all applicants who submitted an employment application and met the minimum qualifications. The written examination consists of multiple choice questions testing the applicant's written skills, memory and sense of direction.
Step 3: The third step in the process is the Physical Abilities Test. This is a pass/fail test, which includes the following tests:
- 99 yard obstacle course consisting of sharp turns, curb height obstacles, and a solid three foot wall which must be vaulted.
- 500 yard run, which is one lap around the track plus 60 yards.
- Body drag, which will require the applicant to drag a 165 pound dummy 32 feel.
- Climb over a solid six foot wall. The applicant will start five yards away from the solid six foot wall. The applicant will approach the wall and will be required to climb over the wall and then run 25 yards after scaling the wall.
- Climb over a six foot chain link fence The applicant will start five yards away from the fence. The applicant will approach the fence and will be required to climb over the fence and then run 25 yards after scaling the fence.
It should be noted that successful completion of this test does not ensure the applicant will be physically prepared for a Police Academy.
Step 4: The fourth step in the process is the oral interview. All applicants who pass the wrrtten and physical abilities test will be invited to an oral interview. The oral interview board consists of three members from the Downey Police Department. The oral board will ask quesbons to assess the applicant's knowledge, communication, and decision-making skills. Applicants who pass the oral interview will be placed on an eligibility list based on their oral interview score. Applicants on the eligibility list will be selected to begin the background process based on the number of current openings. The eligibility list is valid for up to one year.
Step 5: The next step in the process is the background investigation. The background investigation will be conducted by a member of the Special Enforcement Team with the Downey Police Department. The following P.O.S.T (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Background Investigation Dimensions will be used to determine if the applicant meets the requirements to be a Peace Officer in the state of California:
| Moral Character |
Integrity, Impulse Control, Attention to Safety |
| Handling Stress & Adversity |
Stress Tolerance, Confronting and Overcoming Problems, Obstacles, and Adversity |
| Work Habits |
Conscientiousness |
| Interactions With Others |
Interpersonal Skills |
| Intellectually-Based Abilities |
Decision-Making and Judgment, Leaming Ability, and Communication Skills |
The applicant will be required to complete a Personal History Statement and a Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. The background investigator will review these packets and determine if the applicant meets the standards of the City of Downey. The background investigation will continue for those who meet the standards. During the background investigation, the applicant will be fingerprinted to check their criminal history, and will have their credit history checked through a credit bureau.
