We are constantly looking for individuals who wish to join our department as police officers. Due to the high standards we employ, coupled with legal regulations from the state, we only hire about one police officer for every one hundred applicants. We regularly attend job fairs, discuss the application/testing/hiring process with prospective officers, conduct orientation sessions for applicants and oversee the lengthy background investigation necessary to insure that the citizens of Santa Clara are served by the most qualified individuals.

During 2004, the Police Department hired 3 police officers, and 2 non-sworn employees. All newly hired employees were replacing vacancies caused by retirements or other forms of separation. There were no new positions added to the department during this time.

Given the nature of our business, exhaustive background investigations are conducted on every prospective employee. This is a time-consuming process, and must be factored into the hiring timelines. Given the length of the current police academy (which all new police officers must attend before they can work on the street), it takes about a year from the initial written test until the new officer is ready to go on patrol by him or herself.

State mandates also require on-going training for peace officers. Our Training Sergeant is responsible for the design and implementation of our advanced Advanced Officers Training. Each officer received forty hours of specialized training last year, in addition to any other training he or she may have needed for his or her specific assignment. Non-sworn employees are also provided with appropriate training opportunities.