Your Career,
your future
The Richmond Police Department is currently accepting applications for Police Officer Trainee, Lateral Police Officer and Police Dispatcher.
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 Trainee
earn $7,547 / month
If you are currently attending or not yet attended the police academy.
Lateral Police Officer
earn $10,299 - $15,032 / 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.
communications Dispatcher
earn $5,959 - $7,243 / month*
If you are interested in becoming a Police dispatcher. The first line of contact for civilians.
Communications Dispatcher II
earn $7,824 - $9,510/ month*
Potential to earn additional incentives, including a 5% shift differential for shifts from 4:00 p.m. Midnight, a 7.5% shift differential for Midnight 8:00 a.m., and 2% bilingual pay. Dispatcher II position also offers the opportunity to advance to Dispatcher III.
If you are currently employed as a Communications Dispatcher in the State of California.
We are actively hiring for Police Officer (entry level 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.
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. If you do have prior Military service (DD214), the college requirement is waived:
Police Officer Trainee (Entry-Level): 10 semester or 15 quarter units, or completion of basic and advanced military training with honorable discharge (must provide DD214). No felony convictions.
Lateral Police Officer: 30 semester of 45 quarter units, plus completion of a POST-certified Basic Academy (or equivalent, verified and approved by California POST).
The minimum qualifications for each position are as follows.
Police Officer Trainee
High school diploma or equivalent
At least 21 years of age
One of the following:
10 semester or 15 quarter college units, OR
Completion of basic and advanced military training with honorable discharge (must provide DD214)
No felony convictions
One of the following (proof required):
POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET-B) T-Score of 48+ (within 12 months), OR
Current enrollment in a California POST-affiliated Police Academy
Valid California driver’s license with satisfactory driving record
Vision: Uncorrected 20/100; corrected to 20/30 in each eye
Normal color vision and hearing
Police Officer Lateral
Currently employed as a police/peace officer in California
(e.g., sheriff’s department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department)
Completed probation as a peace officer in another jurisdiction, comparable to Richmond’s classification
Communications Dispatcher I
Entry-level position requiring:
Knowledge of local geography (Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Kensington)
Ability to dispatch public safety units, follow procedures, communicate clearly, remain calm under pressure
Typing: 30 WPM (certificate required; no online tests accepted)
Completion of a POST-certified 120-hour Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within one year of hire (condition of employment)
Must meet COVID-19 vaccination policy and pass full background screening
Must possess (Dispatcher) POST Pellet B score of 48 or higher.
Not a requirement but a desired qualification: Knowledge of local geography (Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Kensington)
Communications Dispatcher II
Includes all Dispatcher I requirements, plus:
18 months of full-time experience in public safety dispatch
Deeper knowledge of customer service principles and communication systems
Ability to interpret, prioritize, and relay complex information during emergencies
Skill to assist/mentor Dispatcher I's and Call Takers
Must have already completed the POST 120-hour Basic Dispatcher course or passed the POST Equivalency Exam (proof required)
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, The next step is submit an application through https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/richmondca?page=2
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 and Physical Agility Test
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!
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.