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Join Our Team
HAVE AN AMAZING CAREER AT THE VENTURA POLICE DEPARTMENT
We're looking for courageous men and women who have a passion to protect, serve, and problem solve with our community. We have great people, providing exceptional service and we value: Excellence, Integrity, Professionalism, Respect, and Transparency.
If this sounds like the career and location for you, spend some time on this page to see if our team is the right fit for you!
If you are interested in learning more about the exciting opportunity to join our team, please email [email protected] or call 805-339-4489.
The journey to wearing our badge
It's a lengthy process only a select few can complete. Becoming a member of the law enforcement profession takes about one year.
Application/Testing: Applicants must complete a series of tests, evaluations, and interviews during this phase of the hiring process.
The Academy: Hired recruits will be sent to the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center to complete the Police Academy and learn the basic skills of a police officer.
The Field Training Program: Upon successful completion of the academy and once part of our team, recruits are trained and consistently tested under the watch of a Field Training Officer.
Probation: Once a trainee has successfully completed the Field Training Program, they will serve our community as a solo patrol officer under the supervision of the Department's Professional Standards Unit.
Qualities and values we look for
Our community deserves and expects the finest people to serve in their law enforcement agency.
Integrity
Excellence
Sound Judgement
Professionalism
Strong Work Ethic
Job Knowledge
Physically Active
Honest
Respect
Courage
Communication Skills
Personal Responsibility
Enthusiasm
Team Player
Proactive
Problem Solver
The Application Process
The process is lengthy because we only hire the most qualified.
The Benefit Package
You'll enjoy great medical, educational, and salary benefits.
- Step 1: Written Examination through National Testing Network
- Step 2: Online Application
- Step 3: Personal History Statement
- Step 4: Department Selection Interview
- Step 5: Polygraph Examination
- Step 6: Background Investigation
- Step 7: Chief's Interview
- Step 8: Psychological and Medical Testing
- Step 9: Police Academy
Police Officer Compensation: Upon completion of the academy and hiring as a Ventura Police Officer, candidates will be eligible for the following compensation package:
- Salary: $72,011.89 annually
- Medical/Dental Insurance: Up to $1,040 monthly towards a selection of plans.
- Vision Insurance: City paid coverage for employees and their dependents.
- Life insurance: City paid term life insurance of $10,000.
- Retirement: CalPERS retirement system
- Medicare: Employees participate only in the Medicare portion of Social Security.
- Holiday/Vacation: 22 days/year of combined holiday and vacation.
- Personal Leave: 35 hours per calendar year.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: The City qualifies as an eligible employer.
- Wellness Program: Includes an on-site gym, exercise classes, a comfort, therapy dog, critical incident debriefing, mandatory, mental health check-ins, and more.
Find more details here: City of Ventura Employment Opportunities
AT THE VENTURA POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE NEED PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS TOO!
If you'd like a career in public service but being a police officer isn't the right fit, perhaps this is! We're looking for talented men and women to serve our community and our officers as Public Safety Dispatchers!
The journey to sitting in our
Communications Center
"Our community depends on the skills, expertise, and commitment of the men and women who work in public safety communications," said Police Chief Darin Schindler. "They remain calm during every emergency, have a unique ability to multi-task under very stressful conditions, and play a key role in response and safety."
It's a lengthy process only a select few can complete. Becoming a member of the law enforcement profession takes about one year.
Application/Testing: Applicants undergo a rigorous testing and background process before being hired.
Training: Once hired, trainees attend a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Dispatcher Course.
The Communications Training Program: Their training then includes 6-12 months of on-the-job training where they are evaluated by a Communications Training Supervisor throughout each shift.
Probation: Once a trainee has successfully completed the Communications Training Program, they will serve our community as a solo dispatcher under the supervision of the Department's Professional Standards Unit.
The Benefit Package
Public Safety Dispatcher Compensation: Candidates will be eligible for the following compensation package:
- Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee Salary: $25.12 - $30.54 Hourly
- Public Safety Dispatcher Salary: $27.62 - $33.57 Hourly
- Medical/Dental Insurance: Up to $691 monthly towards a selection of plans.
- Vision Insurance: City paid coverage for employees and their dependents.
- Life insurance: City paid term life insurance each to the employee's annual salary, and $2,000 per dependent.
- Retirement: CalPERS retirement system
- Medicare: Employees participate only in the Medicare portion of Social Security.
- Annual Leave: 14.5 days/year, increasing to 24.5 days after 15 years of service, for vacation or sick leave. Employees may use vacation after successful completion of probation.
- Personal Leave: 27 hours per calendar year.
- Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
- Winter Holiday Break: 18 hours of Winter Optional Holiday time.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: The City qualifies as an eligible employer.
- Wellness Program: Includes an on-site gym, exercise classes, etc.
Find more details here: City of Ventura Employment Opportunities