How to get hired at La Mesa Police

The 10 steps, in order

1. 1
   Application and screeningApply online with a cover letter and questionnaire. Human Resources screens for automatic disqualifiers.
2. 2
   POST written testPELLETB reading and writing test, waived with an associate degree or a qualifying outside score.Prep for this step
3. 3
   Physical Abilities TestFive-event POST Work Sample Test Battery.Prep for this step
4. 4
   Panel interview and pre-background interviewInterview with department staff, then a sit-down with a background detective.
5. 5
   Background investigationCovers employment, credit, driving and criminal history, with fingerprinting. Expect two to eight months.
6. 6
   PolygraphScheduled by the background detective as part of the background process.
7. 7
   Command staff interviewInterview with one or more command staff members after passing background and polygraph.
8. 8
   Chief's interview and conditional offerOne on one interview with the Chief, followed by a conditional job offer.
9. 9
   Psychological and medical examsBoth must be passed before the final job offer and swearing-in.
10. 10
    Academy and field trainingPaid academy at the San Diego regional institute, then field training of at least 10 weeks.

How long hiring takes

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

Academy length