Minimum Selection Standards
To be selected as a peace officer in California is an accomplishment to be proud of. California peace officers undergo an extensive selection process before they are hired by law enforcement agencies. POST's role in this selection process includes responsibility for instituting the minimum selection standards governing the employment of peace officers in California, and responsibility for conducting the research that results in the development of the tests and procedures used by local law enforcement agencies to adhere to these minimum selection standards. Each peace officer in California must minimally pass the following POST selection standards:

Reading and Writing Test
Peace officers must be able to read and write at the levels necessary to perform the job of a peace officer as determined by the use of the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery or other job-related tests of reading and writing ability. The POST test battery is provided to law enforcement agencies in the POST program at no charge. The Applicant Preparation Guide for the POST Entry-Level Test Battery (pdf) provides a thorough overview of the test, practice test items, and test taking strategies.

Interview
POST requires that peace officers be personally interviewed prior to employment by the department head or a representative(s) to determine the person's suitability for law enforcement service. The interview must address, but is not limited to, the person's ability to communicate.

POST Regulation 1002(a)(8) stipulates that every peace officer be interviewed prior to employment to determine the person's suitability for law enforcement service. The hiring interview guidelines are intended to assist in all phases of the interview process.

Background Investigation
The histories of peace officer applicants must be thoroughly investigated to make sure that nothing in their backgrounds is inconsistent with performing peace officer duties. During this phase of the selection process, verification is also made that the applicant conforms with requirements of POST Regulation 1002 (doc) and the California Government Code which, in part, specifies that as a minimum every peace officer shall: (1) be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship; (2) be at least 18 years of age; (3) be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record; (4) be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation; (5) be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution; and (6) be free of any felony convictions. To assist agencies with this process, POST has developed a Personal History Statement (POST 2-251) to be completed by applicants and the onset of the background investigation.

Psychological Screening
Pursuant to California Government Code 1031(f), all California peace officers must be found to be free from any ". . emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer" as determined by a qualified, experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.  Specific requirements and procedures for the conduct of the psychological evaluation are contained in POST Procedure C-2.  POST is currently completing the revision to its guideline document, the Psychological Screening Manual; the new manual is expected to be released in 2007.  A new list of POST psychological screening dimensions (pdf), approved by the Commission on July 20, 2006, is available. 

Medical Suitability
Peace officers must also be free from any physical condition which might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers. The California Government Code requires that physical condition shall be evaluated by a licensed physician and surgeon. To assist physicians in their examinations of peace officer applicants, POST has developed a Medical Screening Manual which includes recommended examination and evaluation protocols for the individualized assessment of each candidate, and provides detailed information on commonly detected medical conditions.

Other Selection Requirements
In addition to POST-required minimum selection standards, peace officer applicants may be required to undergo additional testing required by the individual law enforcement agencies. Additional testing may include physical abilities (or agility) testing, drug screening, a polygraph examination or voice stress analysis.