The following steps listed below are designed to give the applicant a brief overview of the hiring process for the position of Police Officer with the Downey Police Department.
APPLICATION
The beginning of the hiring process is the online employment application. The City uses governmentjobs.com for outreach and online application submission. 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. Applications may be submitted through the following LINK.
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If this is the first time you are applying online you will need to create an account. Click on the “Create Your Account Here” link, then select a Username and Password. You will need an email account to register. If you do not have an email account you can get one through various paid or free account service providers such as Hotmail, Yahoo!, Google Mail, etc. After your account has been established, you can build an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. This application can be saved and used to apply for additional or future job openings.
If you do not have access to a personal computer, you can visit the City of Downey’s Library Computer Center or any public library where public computers are available and access the City’s online job application information.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION
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.
PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)
The third step in the process is the Physical Abilities Test. This is a pass/fail test, which may include the following test(s):
- 99 yard obstacle course.
- Timed run.
- 165 pound dummy drag.
- Sit ups.
- Push ups.
It should be noted that successful completion of this test does not ensure the applicant will be physically prepared for a Police Academy. The tests involved in the Physical Abilities Test are subject to change at any time. Please contact Human Resources for up to the date information on what tests are currently being administered.
INTERVIEW
The fourth step in the process is the oral interview. All applicants who pass the written 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 questions 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.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
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, Learning 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.