Police Officer; Experienced & Academy Graduates

Position: Police Officer (Experienced & Academy Graduates)
* $25,000/$10,000 SIGNING BONUS
* The City of Costa Mesa now offers a $25,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Lateral Police Officers to join our team. This bonus will be paid out at $7,500 upon hire, $7,500 upon successful completion of the Field Training program, and $10,000 upon completion of probation.

To qualify for this signing bonus, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:

* Currently be employed with another California law enforcement agency

* Successfully passed that agency's probationary period

* Possess a current POST Basic Certificate (or higher)

The City of Costa Mesa also offers a $10,000, one-time signing bonus for qualified Non-Lateral Police Officer applicants. This bonus will be paid out at $3,000 upon hire, $3,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training program, and $4,000 upon completion of probation.

The City of Costa Mesa is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer.  Interested individuals may apply as an experienced peace officer (current or previously employed) or as a recent Academy Graduate.  

SALARY

* Current: $8,204 - $10,995 monthly

Lateral Incentive Program - Applicants who are currently employed with another California law enforcement agency and have successfully passed that agency's probationary period will qualify for the City's Lateral Police Officer incentives which include:

* Reduced ten (10) month probationary period.

* Up to 80 hours of sick leave upon hire depending on current sick leave balance with current employer.

Entry-level candidates who do not meet the requirements of this position should apply for the Police Recruit position located on the City's Employment Opportunities page: .

For more information about the Costa Mesa Police Department, .

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications must be received by February 2nd to be considered for the Physical Agility Test scheduled tentatively for February 28, 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 will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Required Attachment(s):

Candidates must attach a copy of their applicable California POST Certificate(s) to their application as indicated below.

Academy Graduate candidates must attach the following:

* California POST Basic Police Academy certificate of graduation (dated within the past 18 months of application date).

Experienced Police Officer candidates must attach the following:

* Current California POST Basic certificate (or higher) or CA POST requalification Course certificate.

* Out-of-State applicants:
California POST Basic Course Waiver.

Do NOT attach any additional documents (i.e. resume) to the application other than what is listed above, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process.  

STEP #2: PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)

Qualified applicants who submit the required certificates, as stated above, 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 .

STEP #3: ORAL INTERVIEW EVALUATIONS

Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will be invited to the interview evaluation.  

ELIGIBILITY LIST

Candidates must pass all three (3) of the steps listed above to be placed on the City's Eligibility List.  The application screening and physical agility test are all qualifying steps (pass/fail).  The oral interview evaluation is weighted 100% and determines a candidates' placement on the eligibility list.  Eligibility lists are valid for one (1) year from the date they are established unless it is exhausted sooner or extended…