If you are interested in helping people, problem-solving, and developing partnerships between a diverse citizenry and a thriving business community the Santa Maria Police Department is interested in you.

Individuals interested in becoming a Santa Maria Police Officer, need to meet the following guidelines:

REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A SANTA MARIA POLICE OFFICER

Entry Level Police Officer

Minimum age:	21 or will attain 21 years of age within one year from the test date
Certification:	California P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified Basic Law Enforcement academy certificate
Education:	High school graduate or G.E.D. Certificate indicating an overall score of 45 or better
License:	Possession of a valid California Operator's License

HANCOCK COLLEGE POLICE ACADEMY INFORMATION

Academy is 19 weeks long. Day classes (5 days a week) start in January and August. Evening classes (3 nights a week) and Saturdays are from August through May. Approximate cost $1,500. Financial Aid is available. Contact Allan Hancock College at 925-6874 or 922-6411.

Lateral Level Police Officer

Minimum age:	21 or will attain 21 years of age within one year from the test date
Certification:	California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.
Education:	High school graduate or G.E.D. Certificate indicating an overall score of 45 or better.
License:	Possession of a valid California Operator's License
Experience:	One year of recent California full-time law enforcement experience.

LATERAL TRANSFERS FROM ANOTHER STATE
TO CALIFORNIA (CHALLENGE P.O.S.T. CERTIFICATE)

For General Information, continue reading. Additional information may be obtained by calling the P.O.S.T. Basic Training Bureau at (916) 227-4257

WAIVER OF ATTENDANCE OF A POST-CERTIFIED BASIC COURSE (For persons who have satisfactorily completed a general law enforcement basic academy)

A waiver of attendance of a California post-certified Basic Course is an option for meeting the Regular Basic Course training standard required by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The Regular Basic Course training standard is required for campus police officers, park police, designated Level I reserve peace officer positions (non-designated as of 1-1-97) and a few miscellaneous police officer positions identified in the California Penal Code.

To obtain a waiver, an individual must successfully complete the entire Basic Course Waiver (BCW) process. Agency sponsorship is not required to participate in the BCW process. Acceptance of a waiver for meeting the Regular Basic Course standard is at the discretion of the employing agency.

BASIC COURSE WAIVER (BCW) PROCESS
The BCW process is a four-step procedure for evaluating prior law enforcement training and testing knowledge and skill levels. Fees are charged for each step.
	Step 1. SELF- EVALUATION Pages 2-4		Step 2. POST-TRAINING EVALUATION Page 5		Step 3. WRITTEN EXAMINATION Page 6		Step 4. SKILLS TEST & WAIVER ISSUANCE Page 7
	The applicant must show prior completion of a 200-hour or longer general subject basic academy and sufficient additional law enforcement training to meet the California Basic Course 664-minimum hour requirements.		The applicant's self-evaluation and supporting documents are evaluated to decide if the Basic Course 664-hour minimum has been met.		The multiple-choice written examination measures knowledge of POST Basic Course basic academy curriculum.		The proficiency standards, tests, and schools are the same for each skills test option:
	No fee		$75.00 fee		$91.00 fee		Course fees vary; $300 skills test fee

WAIVER VALID FOR THREE YEARS

Appointment in California as a full-time peace officer or a Level I reserve officer (who serves an annual average monthly minimum of 16 hours) must be obtained within three years from the date of the waiver.

FOR INFORMATION

After the instructions have been carefully read, additional information may be obtained by calling the P.O.S.T. Basic Training Bureau at (916) 227-4257.

For information on current job opportunities with the Santa Maria Police Department, you can contact the City of Santa Maria's Human Resources Division.