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.

Check Application/Testing: Applicants must complete a series of tests, evaluations, and interviews during this phase of the hiring process.

 ThChecke 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.

ThChecke 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.

CheckProbation: 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.

Check 2Integrity

Check 2Excellence

Check 2Sound Judgement

Check 2Professionalism

Check 2Strong Work Ethic

Check 2Job Knowledge

Check 2Physically Active

Check 2Honest

Check 2Respect

Check 2Courage

Check 2Communication Skills

Check 2Personal Responsibility

Check 2Enthusiasm

Check 2Team Player

Check 2Proactive

Check 2Problem Solver

 

Police Officer Trainee Application Process

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.

View All FAQs

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

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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.

Check Application/Testing: Applicants undergo a rigorous testing and background process before being hired.

Check Training: Once hired, trainees attend a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Dispatcher Course.

CheckThe 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.

CheckProbation: 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.

Dispatcher Trainee Application Process

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