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Phase I

Screening and Testing

Entry-level, academy graduate and lateral police officer jobs are open continuously.

 

The applications of candidates who are serving as police officers at other California law enforcement agencies are screened for minimum qualifications by Human Resources and sent to the Police Department for further processing.

 

Entry-level police officer candidates are invited to the POST written exam, administered by Human Resources Staff. Those who have received a T-score of 42 or higher on this test within California in preceding 12 months may proceed to the next phase of the process on the strength of the prior test score.

 

BART uses the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam. This test battery consists of two components: one evaluates writing ability and the other reading ability. The writing component of the test measures clarity, vocabulary, and spelling. The reading component measures reading comprehension. The following is a brief summary of each section.

 

Writing Ability — Each of three writing sub-tests contains 15 items. A clarity sub-test is intended to measure the test-taker’s ability to identify examples of clear writing. The spelling and vocabulary sub-tests use a standard multiple-choice format.

 

Reading Ability — The two sub-tests are reading comprehension, in which the test-taker reads passages and answers multiple-choice questions about the information contained in the passage; and the CLOZE sub-test, in which the test-taker must use contextual clues to make logical choices for missing words.

 

Candidates who complete the POST written exam with a weighted score of no less than 42 are then screened based on the minimum qualifications and forwarded to the Police Department for the next phase of the selection process.

Frequently asked Questions

California State Minimum Selection Standards (Per P.O.S.T)

  • The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:
  • Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029) 
  • Be legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law.
  • At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)
  • Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record
  • Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation
  • A high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution
  • Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer
Candidates need to be 20 to apply and attend the academy 21 at the time of swearing in
  • Three (3) or more moving violations within three (3) years prior to the date application
  • Involvement as a driver in two or more chargeable (at fault) collisions within three (3) years to date of application 
  • Integrity: Any material misstatement of fact during any stage of the hiring process
  • Any prior felony conviction
  • Any misdemeanor conviction within three (3) years prior to the date of application 
  • Two (2) or more misdemeanor convictions as an adult 
  • Use of a hallucinogenic drug within 7 years of application
  • Use of any other illegal drug use as an adult not mentioned above within 3 years of application 
  • Having any outstanding warrant of arrest at time of application 
  • Admission(s) of any act of domestic violence
  • Admission(s) of any criminal act against children

Note: The hiring and background requirements are quite stringent. This is not an all-inclusive list of disqualifying factors, (see BPD Policy 1000 v.2/2/17).

  • Application
  • Written test
  • Physical Agility test
  • Oral board interview
  • Background Investigation (including polygraph) 
  • Chief’s Interview
  • Conditional Job Offer (From Human Resources)
  • Medical exam
  • Psychological exam (Police Officers and Police Dispatchers only)
  • Final Job Offer (From Human Resources)
  • Do an online search for “POST Pellet B practice test”
  • Research the department online
  • Do a ride-a-long (call 510-464-7681 to set up after application has been submitted)
  • Research oral board sample questions online
  • The process takes approximately 3-6 months
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