The Police IndexStop data: 2024 · Pay and hiring checked Nov 2026

How to get hired at Chula Vista Police

257 swornStarts at $105,583Hiring new officers nowApplicant Score 61
Hiring new officers, checked Nov 13, 2026
Open now

Laterals: open now. Posting: Police Recruit. Closes: 12/31/26.

Time to hire
3 to 5 months
Whole hiring process, per an undated department posting on Handshake. The city HR FAQ says recruitments can take up to six months.
Written test cutoff
T-score of 46 or higher for scores brought from another agency. The pass mark for the city's own sitting is not stated.
Outside PELLETB results must be dated within 6 months before the city's test date
Physical test
1.5-mile run in under 14 minutes. Both portions must be passed. Times for the agility events are not published.
Lie detection
Voice stress test
Academy
6 months
Not published
Pay in the academy
$79,194 to $96,260
Police Recruit

The 9 steps, in order

  1. 1
    Application reviewThe city checks age, license, citizenship and education requirements.
  2. 2
    Written examPOST PELLETB reading and writing test, about 2.5 hours, waived with an associate's degree or higher.Prep for this step
  3. 3
    Background questionnaireA confidential pre-background questionnaire given on the day of the physical test.
  4. 4
    Physical Agility Test1.5-mile run under 14 minutes, then obstacle course, body drag, fence climb and 500-yard run.Prep for this step
  5. 5
    Background investigationA full POST background investigation that includes a voice stress analysis.
  6. 6
    Chief's interview
  7. 7
    Psychological and medical examsDone after a conditional offer of employment.
  8. 8
    Police academyAbout 6 months, paid as a Police Recruit, then automatic promotion to Peace Officer.
  9. 9
    Field trainingLength is not published.

How long hiring takes

La Mesa Police2 to 8 months
San Diego Police3 to 4 months
Chula Vista Police3 to 5 months
Coronado Police3 to 6 months
Harbor Police6 to 12 months
SheriffNot published
Escondido PoliceNot published
Carlsbad PoliceNot published
Oceanside PoliceNot published
El Cajon PoliceNot published
National City PoliceNot published
0 mo3 mo6 mo9 mo12 mo

Each agency's own stated figure. They do not all measure the same span, so check the note on each bar.

Academy length

Oceanside Police25 wk
Harbor Police25 wk
National City Police25 wk
San Diego Police26 wk
Sheriff26 wk
Carlsbad Police26 wk

Minimum requirements

  • At least 20 years old at application and 21 at appointment
  • Valid California driver's license at appointment
  • Meets citizenship rules in Government Code 1031(a) and 1031.5
  • U.S. high school diploma, GED, or a two-year or four-year degree
  • Able to pass a background investigation
  • Prior law enforcement experience not required

Not published by this agency

  • Academy name and location
  • Field training length
  • Retirement formula (benefit summary could not be read)
  • Shift schedule
  • Annual calls for service
  • Sworn officer count separate from civilian staff
  • Square miles served
  • Tattoo policy
  • Agility course pass times and fence height
  • First assignment after training

Field training

Not published

The Oct 2026 city posting lists recruit pay up to $96,260 a year. The joincvpd.com recruiting site still shows up to $91,676.
The current city lateral posting caps incentive pay at $10,000. Older postings and a department Handshake listing cite up to $25,000 and a polygraph instead of voice stress analysis.

Sources, checked Nov 13, 2026: Police Recruit posting, City of Chula Vista · Peace Officer lateral posting, City of Chula Vista · Peace Officer class specification and salary · CVPD home page (read via Internet Archive copy of Oct 17, 2026) · About the Police Department (Internet Archive copy of Aug 22, 2026) · About the Chief (Internet Archive copy of May 17, 2026) · JoinCVPD recruiting site · City HR FAQ (Internet Archive copy of Apr 8, 2026) · CVPD Police Officer listing on Handshake (not an official city page) · Calls for Service portal page (Internet Archive copy of Jun 8, 2026) · California DOJ stop data, 2024

Color taken from the department's own logo.

Photo: Chula Vista skyline. Chula Vista Skyline.jpg by WeaponizingArchitecture, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and tinted.

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