Police Officer

Written Application & Supplemental Questionnaire

Typically, an application process is open for at least 3 weeks, but this can be extended depending on the number of applications received. The applications are checked for minimum qualifications and completeness.   The application, supplemental questionnaire and cover letter are evaluated and scored. Evaluation of the written applications can take approximately 1 week.

The initial part of the testing process takes 2 days. The remaining portion of the testing process depends on the schedules of the candidate and the availability of the test administrators (i.e., psychologist, medical examination).

Day 1

Written Examination

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications are invited to the written examination. The written examination takes approximately 2 hours. The test is scored immediately after all candidates have finished the test, and the results are posted.  No prior law enforcement experience or training is required to pass the general knowledge examination.

Some candidates may participate in the oral interview on Day 1. Candidates that may have a valid reason for needing to participate in the oral interview on the same day as the written test may contact the Human Resources Department and request this accommodation. Preference will be given to those that demonstrate a difficulty based upon airfare and travel accommodations.

Day 2

Oral Panel Interview

The candidate must respond to a series of questions and scenarios that are given to the candidate by panel of interviewers. The interview typically takes 45-60 minutes.

Chief Interview

The candidate must respond to a series of questions that are given to the candidate by the Chief and his command staff. The interview typically takes 45-60 minutes.

Final Steps

A list of qualified candidates is developed. The Chief has the ultimate say as to who is selected to go to the next phase of the hiring process. The remaining components of the hiring process include the following:

Tentative Job Offer

A tentative job offer is given to candidates pending the results of the pre-employment background, psychological, physical and drug screening.

Background Investigation

This is an extensive examination of the candidate's background to include personal and employment references, credit history, criminal history, work history, and personal history.

Psychological Fitness Examination

Administered by a forensic psychologist located in the Portland area, this examination is scheduled as soon as possible after the tentative job offer. However, due to the busy schedule of the psychologist, this examination could take several weeks to obtain an appointment.

Medical Examination Including Drug Screen

As soon after the successful completion of the psychological fitness examination as possible, the candidate is scheduled with a doctor selected by the City of Grants Pass for a medical examination to determine the candidate's ability to meet DPSST certification standards.

Physical Agility Test (PAT)

Candidates will be required to pass the initial physical agility test as part of the medical examination.  The candidate must bring comfortable clothing with belt loops to the medical examination.  The PAT requires a job-appropriate level of physical fitness.  Applicants will have seven minutes to pass the physical test.

Job Offer

A candidate that passes all the components of the testing process is then given an offer of employment.

Ongoing Training

The new police officer must then go through intensive and extensive training over the next 12-18 months.

A new officer that comes to the agency without any prior police certification will be put on an 18-month trial service period. During that time, the officer will go through orientation and skills training, attend the 16-week police academy, go through a minimum of 13-weeks of field training, and then complete the remainder of their trial service.

If a candidate is hired that has current police certifications, the trial service is only 12-months, and the academy time is a 2-week career officer development course.  The candidate will be required to successfully complete field training.