Everything you need to know about joining the Brentwood Police Department, organized by category.
No, residency is not required to apply. However, you must be a U.S. citizen (or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship) and possess a valid driver's license.
You must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment, as required by California law for peace officers.
No. Completing a POST Academy is not required to apply. BPD accepts graduates of a CA Basic POST Academy, candidates currently enrolled in one, and lateral officers with current California peace officer certification. If you are not yet POST-certified, BPD can sponsor qualified candidates through the academy. Appointment requires eventual completion of the POST Basic Academy.
Each background investigation is evaluated individually. Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualifier. Minor infractions are reviewed in context during the background process. If you have specific concerns, contact our recruitment team at (925) 809-7748 for guidance before applying.
No, a college degree is not required. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement. However, an Associate's degree and college coursework in law enforcement or criminal justice are highly desirable and may strengthen your application.
All applications must be submitted online through GovernmentJobs.com at governmentjobs.com/careers/brentwoodca. Paper, faxed, or emailed applications are not accepted. Resumes may be submitted but do not replace the completed application form.
Lateral Police Officer – Apply for this position if you have successfully graduated from a POST-certified police academy or are currently employed as a sworn police officer with another law enforcement agency.
Police Officer Trainee – Apply for this position if you are seeking sponsorship to attend a POST-certified police academy. The Brentwood Police Department will hire you as a paid employee while you complete academy training.
Yes. BPD accepts applications on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Because the recruitment can close at any time without advance notice, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as you're eligible. Don't wait.
The process typically takes several months from application submission to final offer, depending on caseload and volume. Background investigations alone can take 4–8 weeks. Stay responsive to all communications and available throughout the process.
Your application is reviewed for minimum qualifications. If you qualify, you're placed on the Eligible List and invited to a physical assessment (waived for laterals and POST graduates), then a panel interview with BPD leadership. Successful panel candidates then go to a Captain's interview, followed by polygraph, background investigation, conditional offer, and finally medical and psychological evaluations.
All correspondence is sent by email through GovernmentJobs. Check your junk/spam folder regularly and ensure emails from governmentjobs.com, neogov.com, and brentwoodca.gov are in your safe senders list. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information current.
Yes, you may apply for multiple City of Brentwood positions simultaneously. Each position requires its own separate, complete application.
BPD accepts P.O.S.T. PELLETB scores with a total T-Score of at least 47. If you do not have a P.O.S.T. PELLETB score with a total T-Score of at least 47, we can host a non-PELLETB written exam.
The salary ranges from $119,592 starting to a top-step base salary of $145,365 annually.
Typical Brentwood PD officers work 4 days on and 4 days off most weeks. This provides significantly better work-life balance than a traditional 5-day schedule and is one of the primary reasons officers choose Brentwood PD.
BPD officers participate in CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) under the public safety tier. The City also contributes to a Retiree Health Savings Account to support your healthcare costs after retirement.
Yes. The City of Brentwood provides City-paid contributions toward medical, dental, and vision plans for officers and their eligible dependents. A cash-in-lieu option is available for those who waive coverage.
Yes. BPD offers Education Pay for officers with advanced degrees, Bilingual Pay for officers who use a second language on duty, Longevity Pay, Special Assignment Pay, Shift Differentials, and Training Officer Pay for those serving as Field Training Officers. A uniform allowance is also provided annually.
Officers receive pay for 13 City-recognized holidays, up to 19 vacation days per year, and sick leave at 8 hrs/month (96 hrs/year). Unused sick leave can be applied toward retirement service credit.
Yes. The City reimburses officers for education expenses of up to $2,500 annually, supporting continued learning and professional development throughout your career.
New officers complete a structured Field Training Program (FTP) alongside experienced Field Training Officers. BPD provides ongoing training throughout your career in areas including de-escalation, use of force, community policing, technology, and specialized tactics.
As your career progresses, opportunities may include Detective assignments, K9 unit, Traffic division, SWAT, School Resource Officer, Drone Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, Community Outreach, and supervisory/command roles. All assignments are subject to department needs, vacancies, and individual performance.
A lateral officer is a currently or recently certified California peace officer transferring from another agency. Laterals typically skip the POST Academy step and may receive credit for prior experience in salary placement and seniority discussions. BPD has a strong, long-standing track record of welcoming laterals and helping them transition smoothly.
Yes. Ride alongs are immediately available to laterals, graduates, and recruits after their oral and physical evaluations. Special arrangements can also be made and are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Yes. Candidates complete a Physical Assessment: 25 sit-ups in 1 minute, 25 push-ups in 2 minutes, 50 air squats in 2 minutes, and a 500-yard run in under 2 minutes. The Physical Assessment is waived for lateral and POST Academy graduates. Separately, all candidates must pass a comprehensive medical examination after receiving a conditional job offer, confirming they can safely perform the essential functions of a police officer.
A licensed physician conducts a thorough medical evaluation assessing your overall health and ability to perform police officer duties safely. This evaluation occurs after a conditional job offer is extended, prior to your final start date.
Yes. A psychological evaluation is a required pre-employment step, conducted after the conditional job offer. It assesses your mental fitness for the unique demands and stressors of law enforcement work.
The polygraph is used to verify the accuracy and truthfulness of information you've provided throughout the application process and background investigation. Honesty from the very start is essential. Inconsistencies discovered during the polygraph can be grounds for disqualification.