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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
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
= Editor Recommended School
Liberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.
Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix can help 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.
Ivy Bridge College Online: Ivy Bridge College is affiliated with Tiffin University and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
Associate's of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
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.
BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind
Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.
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.
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.
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.
- Bakersfield Learning Center
- Bay Area
- Beale AFB Learning Center
- Central Valley
- Concord Learning Center
- Culver City Learning Center
- Diamond Bar Learning Center
- Elk Grove Learning Center
- Fairfield Learning Center
- Fremont Learning Center
- Gardena Learning Center
- La Mirada Learning Center
- Laguna Hills Learning Center
- Lancaster Learning Center
- Lathrop Learning Center
- Livermore Learning Center
- Modesto Learning Center
- Murrieta Learning Center
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- San Bernardino Learning Center
- San Diego
- San Francisco Learning Center
- San Jose Learning Center
- South Coast Learning Center
- Southern California
- Visalia Learning Center
- Woodland Hills Learning Center
Everest College: Everest College offers training in the criminal justice, homeland security and paralegal fields.
Degrees: Associate's Criminal Justice, Bachelor's Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Specialist
Argosy University:
Programs Offered: Master's in Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Criminal Justice
Maric College:
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Studies | Associate's
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Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.