Hiring the Best
Recruits
Becoming a police officer starts with joining our team as a recruit. Here's an overview of the process:
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
To be considered, you must:
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Be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment
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Have a high school diploma or GED
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Have vision no worse than 20/100 (uncorrected) in both eyes, corrected to 20/20
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Hold a valid California Class C Driver's License
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Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident who has applied for citizenship
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Be free of felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions
We also recommend reviewing the California POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) website. It offers detailed information on statewide hiring standards, assessments, and resources to help you prepare.
Step 3: Attend the Police Academy
If selected, you will attend the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute at Miramar College.
Recruits are paid employees of the City of Carlsbad and receive full salary and benefits during the academy.
Police recruits attend the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute at Miramar College, where they undergo a 26-week academy program, held Monday through Friday for eight hours a day. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on technical skills training.
Throughout the academy, recruits are also required to participate in rigorous physical conditioning designed to prepare them for the demands of police work.
To successfully complete the program, recruits must pass all California POST-mandated examinations. Upon graduation, they receive an official academy completion certificate issued by the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute.