Police Officer Requirements – California
Minimum Requirements to be a Police Officer in California
Must successfully complete a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of CLEST certified training annually, to include firearms qualification and Racial Profiling. All individuals vested with the powers of a peace officer must meet state minimum selection standards, whether they are applying to be a highway patrol officer, insurance fraud investigator, part-time reserve officer, or any one of hundreds of classifications of peace officer. To be a peace officer in California, at a minimum you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for citizenship (Note: CHP officers must be U.S. citizens at the time of appointment
- Have a U.S. high school diploma, GED certificate, or high school equivalency certificate, or a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved college/university
- Be free of any felony conviction or certain misdemeanor convictions that are disqualifying
- Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
- Be free of any physical, emotional, or mental conditions that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.