Police

COME BE A PART OF OUR FAMILY AND SEE WHAT MAKES FOUNTAIN VALLEY A NICE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK!

Job recruitment is open continuously. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at any time.

To be considered for this opportunity, all candidates must take the Front Line National exam through National Testing Network at  or provide a P.O.S.T. PELLET BT-Score of 45 or above.

P.O.S.T. T-Scores must have been issued within the last twelve (12) months from the date when the application was submitted to the City.

The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With just under 60,000 residents, we are a mid‑sized full‑service city that maintains a personal touch with the community we serve. From city events like our Summerfest to staff events like our Summer Barbecue, we take pride in engaging with staff and the community. The city is only 7 miles from the beach, so opportunities abound for work‑life balance.

The Fountain Valley Police Department mission is to demonstrate
1) Courage to protect life and property;
2) Duty to provide the highest quality of service in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner;
3) Commitment to take a leadership role in providing public safety and quality of life in a manner that will preserve the public trust.

The Police Department is comprised of dedicated professionals including the Chief of Police, 2 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 1 Support Services Manager, 10 Sergeants, 9 Corporals, 39 Police Officers, 8 full‑time Dispatchers, 3 part‑time Dispatchers, a Crime Analyst, Record Clerks, Community Services Officers, Police Services Officer, Police Cadet, and administrative staff.

Candidates selected as a Police Recruit will be placed in a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Basic Police Recruit Academy. Subject to successful completion of the Academy and selection process, the candidate may be hired as a Police Officer and provided the applicable salary and benefits for the position.

Education:

• High School graduation or equivalent or possession of a General Education Development Test (GED) certificate is required.
• An Associate of Arts or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

Experience: Previous law enforcement experience is highly desirable.

Required License/Certification: Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license.

Special Requirements:

• At least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law.
• Candidates selected for processing will be fingerprinted for purposes of searching local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal records.
• Candidates must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation. Candidates must be free of any felony convictions.
• Candidates must have normal hearing acuity.
• Candidates must have a vision of 20/70 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, and normal color vision. Candidates must have height and weight in accordance with age, sex, and frame.
• Police Officers must be able to work rotating shifts, evenings, holidays, and weekends as assigned.
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

• Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine the proper course of action; enable coping with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Persuade, convince, and/or train others; advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
• Learn, understand, and interpret laws and regulations. Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports. Operate a computer and a variety of software.
• Communicate effectively both orally…