• Bachelor's Degrees Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement Degrees
• Hiring Police Departments
• San Diego Police Careers

How to Become a San Diego Police Officer

1) Start by getting information about an associate's or bachelor's degree (The most commonly held degree by San Diego police officers is a criminal justice degree ) The SDPD is very selective and they have more applicants than positions so make sure you set yourself apart with a degree.
2) Review the additional requirements below to make sure you qualify
3) Request application information from the San Diego Police Department, call 619-531-2547

Find Online Criminal Justice Programs Now
Find Criminal Justice Programs in San Diego Now

About the San Diego Police Department

With a diverse workforce of men and women, the San Diego Police Department is serving the City in units covering every aspect of law enforcement and community service. The San Diego PD has an on-going need for police officers who are committed to public service, professionalism, and peaceful neighborhoods. Show that you care by wearing the badge of the San Diego Police Officer.

San Diego Police Officer Job Description

From beach patrol to detective to legal advisor, once you become a San Diego police officer the opportunities are endless. SDPD officers investigate crimes, respond to emergencies, and related law enforcement duties.

San Diego Police Academy Training, Prerequisites and Educational Requirements

The San Diego PD requires applicants to be 20 1/2 years old (21 at the time of academy graduation) and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship before the date of application.  Education requirements include graduation from a high school located within the United States or a U.S. territory OR passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination OR G.E.D. with scores that meet the California standard established by the American Council on Education OR possession of a two or four year degree from an accredited college or university. Applicant’s must also be in possession of a valid California driver's license and need to pass an intense background investigation and physical testing.

San Diego Police Officer Academy and Training

Successful applicants who are hired as San Diego Police Officers begin their careers at the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Center, located on the Miramar College campus. Here you will participate in a 32 week college level training program for which you will earn 20 college semester units. As a San Diego Police Recruit, you will attend classroom lectures and demonstrations, read textbooks, laws, court cases, and articles dealing with law enforcement. You will be required to complete homework, write reports and take and pass examinations on course materials. Academy subjects include principles of law enforcement, criminal law, rules and evidence, search and seizure, laws of arrest and control methods, traffic laws, juvenile laws, first aid, care and use of firearms, patrol theory and methods, the criminal justice system, and physical conditioning and self-defense. You will also complete six weeks of field training while attending the SDPD Academy.  If you satisfactorily complete the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Center you will attain the rank of Police Officer I at graduation. Your first assignment will be in the Patrol Division where you will work under the guidance of an experienced Field Training Officer during the 12 week Field Training Program. 

San Diego Police Officer Salary and Job Outlook

Starting salary for the San Diego PD is $3752 per month during the training period.  Upon completion of training your salary as a Police Officer I is increased to $3646 to $4200 per month. Upon becoming a Police Officer II your salary will increase to $4651 to $5620 per month depending upon experience and education. In addition to these base salaries, there is overtime earning, holiday pay, night differential and uniform allowance. The San Diego Police Department is currently recruiting for police officers.

Request free information from the fully accredited online schools below and see how a criminal justice degree can help you succeed in a San Diego police officer career.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees

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Short on Time? Click Here to request free information from all Criminal Justice Degree Programs.

University of Phoenix Online: University of Phoenix will prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Organizational Security & Management
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University:

Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Request free information from AIU to learn more about these programs.

Kaplan University:

AAS in Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS in Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Kaplan University.

Rasmussen College Online: Locations throughout the Country - Offering Online Programs

Certificate - Police Officer Education
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's Criminal Justice
Associate's Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice

South University: Online

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice

Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ

Request information about a Walden University degree program.

Lincoln College Online:

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

Capella University:

BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership

Request free information from Capella University to learn more.

Everest University Online :

Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree

Keiser University:

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
Master's in Criminal Justice

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Keiser University.

Virginia College:

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Virginia College.

Colleges in San Diego Offering Criminal Justice Campus Programs

Request Information from the School(s) by Selecting a Campus Location

University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix offers accredited degree programs—Criminal Justice, Business, Technology, Education, Health Care or other fields—for working adults at campuses in California.

Choose the location nearest you for more information =>

Bay Area Campuses: Concord, Livermore, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Novato, San Francisco, Pleasanton
Central Valley Campuses: Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno
Sacramento Valley Campuses: Beale AFB, Elk Grove, Sacramento (Crowne Corporate Center), Sacramento (Gateway Oaks), Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Suisun City (Fairfield), Lathrop, Chico, Roseville
San Diego Area Campuses: Palm Desert, San Diego (Kearny Mesa), San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), San Diego (Stonecrest), Chula Vista, Imperial (El Centro), Oceanside, San Marcos
Southern California Campuses: Culver City, Gardena, Lancaster, Ontario, Foothill Ranch, Costa Mesa, Woodland Hills, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Murrieta, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Oxnard

Everest College: Everest College offers training in the criminal justice, homeland security and paralegal fields.

Campuses in: Ontario, City of Industry, San Jose and West Los Angeles
Degrees: Associate's Criminal Justice, Bachelor's Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Specialist

Request Information Today =>

Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Master's in Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Inland Empire

DeVry University:

Programs Offered: Technical Management - Criminal Justice, Certified Fraud Examiner | Bachelor's and Master's Programs

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Fremont (Undergrad), Pomona (Undergrad), Sherman Oaks (Undergrad), Fremont (grad), Irvine, Long Beach (Grad), Pomona (Grad), Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sherman Oaks (Grad)

Maric College:

Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Studies | Associate's

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
San Diego, North County (San Diego), Panorama City, Sacramento, Modesto, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton.