Join Our Team

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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 time on this page to see if our team is the right fit for you!

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 sworn in, new officers 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.

If you are interested in learning more about the exciting opportunity to join our team, please call 805-339-4464 or email.

The Benefit Package

Police Officer Compensation: Upon completion of the academy and hiring as a Ventura Police Officer, candidates will be eligible for an exceptional compensation package. View all details at the City of Ventura Employment Opportunities website.

In addition to your compensation package, at the Ventura Police Department, we offer a robust Wellness Program that included an on-site gym, exercise classes, a comfort, therapy dog, critical incident debriefings, mandatory mental health check-ins, and more.

The Application Process

The process is lengthy because we only hire the most qualified.

  1. Step 1: Written Examination through National Testing Network
  2. Step 2: Online Application
  3. Step 3: Personal History Statement
  4. Step 4: Department Selection Interview
  5. Step 5: Polygraph Examination
  6. Step 6: Background Investigation
  7. Step 7: Chief's Interview
  8. Step 8: Psychological and Medical Testing
  9. Step 9: Police Academy
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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 the 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 our dispatch team 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: Training 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 our Professional Standards Unit.