YOUR CAREER
YOUR FUTURE

If you are considering a career of service with the Richmond Police Department, you're in the right place!

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.

CONTACT A RECRUITER

Richmond Police Department

FOR EMERGENCIES, PLEASE DIAL 911

RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
1701 Regatta Boulevard
Richmond, CA 94804

RPD Records: 510-620-6675
RPD Dispatch: 510-233-1214

Contact a Recruiter

Do you have questions regarding your future career? Complete the form and contact us.
Thank you! Your submission has been received! We will contact you within 24 hours M-F to answer your questions and walk you through the process.
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Police Officer Careers

The City of Richmond has three options to join our team. Whether you are currently an officer, an academy graduate or looking to start your career in law enforcement.

POLICE OFFICER
TRAINEE

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

$6,390 / month +
full police academy sponsorship!
Contact a recruiter

ACADEMY
GRADUATE

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

$100,572 / year +
base salary + additional shift and educational incentives!
Contact a recruiter

LATERAL
POLICE OFFICER

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

$135,936 / year +
(longevity, shift differential)
additional pay incentives available!
Contact a recruiter

Professional
Careers

Want to serve the Richmond community but not as an officer?

COMMUNICATIONS 
DISPATCHER I

RPD Communications Dispatchers proudly serve our Richmond and El Cerrito communities - dispatching police and medical services for emergency and non-emergency response.(Richmond Police, El Cerrito Police, and Richmond Fire)

$5,046-$6,133 /  month
On the job training program - no experience required
Contact a Recruiter

COMMUNICATIONS 
DISPATCHER II

RPD is seeking experienced dispatchers who currently work for a Police or Sheriff’s Department and have attended a POST Public Safety Dispatchers’ Basic Course.

$6,956-$8,455 / month
On the job training program - no experience required
Apply Online

POLICE CADET

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.

$15.54-$18.86 / hour
On the job training program - no experience required
Apply Online

Police Property Technician

RPD is seeking a dynamic individual to join our team in the Police Property Vault as a Property Technician. Property Technicians are responsible for the receipt, security, control and maintenance of all incoming property and other items of evidence into the police department and protecting the integrity of items throughout the judicial process.

$4,818-$5,692 / month
On the job training program - no experience required
Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions after viewing our FAQ's please contact a recruiter. Our recruitment team is there to help with any question that you have about working in public safety for the City of Richmond.

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).

Click here to view the minimum qualifications for each position.

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 City of Richmond - Government Jobs website.

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 review
Satisfactorily 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.