Police Recruit

This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. To learn more, view the following link: Privacy Policy Manage Preferences Skip to main content Menu JOB OPPORTUNITIES Sign In City of Costa Mesa- "City of the Arts" powered by NEOGOV ® Welcome to the City of Costa Mesa's application process! You can now apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the "Apply" link! If this is the first time you are applying using our online job application, you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password. 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 more than one job opening. Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. The City of Costa Mesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The city does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations and rehires. IF THERE ARE NO POSITIONS LISTED BELOW, THE CITY IS NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR ANY JOB OPENINGS AT THIS TIME. To create or update your GovernmentJobs.com account, please visit their website at www.governmentjobs.com and click on "Career Seekers". MORE Search View toggle Sort Filter 0 jobs found No jobs at this time. Check back later! JOB OPPORTUNITIES ACCOUNT PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT PRIVACY SETTINGS Copyright © 2026 police-recruit is loading police-recruit flyout has been opened Police Recruit Salary $84,648.00 Annually Location Costa Mesa, CA, CA Job Type FULL-TIME Job Number 0709:25-R Department Police Opening Date 12/17/2024 DESCRIPTION BENEFITS QUESTIONS Description ***$10,000 SIGNING BONUS*** The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $10,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Police Recruit applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $3,000 upon graduation from the academy, $3,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training program, and $4,000 upon completion of probation. This recruitment is for entry-level candidates interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Work involves full-time attendance at a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic police academy to prepare for the responsibilities of a police officer. After meeting all department, state-mandated and academy requirements, including graduation from the Police Academy, the Recruit will be sworn in as a Police Officer (salary range of $7,890 - $10,572 monthly). For more information about the Costa Mesa Police Department, click here. APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: Applications and written exam scores must be received by December 15th to be considered for the Physical Agility Test scheduled tentatively for January 10, 2026. Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis in order to meet the needs of the City. STEP #1: SUBMIT APPLICATION Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted). Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process. Candidates who pass an initial application screening and submit a qualifying written exam score will be invited to continue in the selection process. Do NOT attach any additional documents (i.e. resume) to the application, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process (except for the PELLETB written exam score, if applicable). STEP #2: WRITTEN EXAMINATION Submit test results from one of the two test options below. Scores that are dated within one (1) year of the application date and meet the minimum passing score will be accepted. National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam Passing scores: Video - 65% or higher; Reading - 70% or higher; and Writing - 70% or higher This exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the Country. To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here. Select the Costa Mesa Police Department and the specific position you are applying to. NTN will submit the scores to Costa Mesa Human Resources for review. Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications. - OR - P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) Passing score: Total T-Score - 45 or higher Costa Mesa Police Department does not have any future test dates; however, if you have taken the PELLETB test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to be meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead. PELLETB score must be attached to online application. STEP #3: PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT) Qualified applicants who complete steps 1 & 2 will be invited to the PAT when a test date is established. The PAT is typically scheduled several times per year. To view a video detailing the PAT components click here. STEP #4: ORAL INTERVIEW EVALUATIONS Candidates who success