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Mon - Fri: 8 a to 5 p

Lobby Hours

(909) 820-2550

Non-Emergency

128 N. Willow Ave.,
Rialto, CA 92376

Are you ready to make a difference?

JOIN THE RIALTO PD TEAM

HAVE AN AMAZING CAREER AT RIALTO POLICE DEPARTMENT

We’re looking for courageous men and women who have a passion to serve, save lives, and provide the best possible community for others to live, work, and play.

If this sounds like your calling in life, then spend some time on this page to see if you have what it takes to wear our badge.

NOBLE PROFESSION

Law enforcement is a profession where you can make a difference in people’s lives.

GREAT BENEFITS

You’ll enjoy great medical, educational, and salary benefits.

PROTECTING LIVES

Rialto Police Department is the first in answering the call when people need help.

GREAT DEPARTMENT

Work alongside professionals who are passionate about serving.

THE JOURNEY TO
WEARING OUR BADGE

It’s a process only a select few can complete. Becoming a member of the law enforcement profession takes about two years to complete.

APPLICATION/TESTING

Applicants must complete a series of tests, evaluations, and interviews during this phase of the hiring process.

THE FTO PROGRAM

Upon successful completion of the academy, recruits are trained and constantly tested under the watch of a field training officer.

THE ACADEMY

Hired recruits will be sent to a law enforcement academy to learn the basic skills of a police officer.

PROBATION

Once a trainee has successfully completed the FTO program, they will provide the duties of a police officer under the monitoring of department supervisors.

QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS

Our community deserves and expects the finest people to serve in their law enforcement agency.

INTEGRITY

GOOD JUDGMENT

JOB KNOWLEDGE

PROFESSIONALISM

COURAGE

DISCRETIONARY DECISION MAKING

TEAM PLAYER

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

SELF-MOTIVATION

ENTHUSIASM

APPLICATION PROCESS

The process is lengthy because we look for only the best.

STEP 1 - APPLICATION & WRITTEN EXAM

Go to the City of Rialto website (Human Resources) and apply online. Once the application is accepted and minimum qualifications met, the applicant will be notified of the written exam date, time and location. Please make note of any special requirements when submitting your application: some positions require certain certificates or are limited to a certain number of applicants. Be as thorough and correct as possible to increase your chances of advancing to the next step.

STEP 2 - PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING

(POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS ONLY)

The physical agility consists of five events; Obstacle Course, Body Drag, Chain Link Fence, Solid Fence, and 500 Yard Run. Upon successfully passing the written exam, you will be notified of the test date, time, and location. Be early, come prepared, and dress in comfortable, appropriate athletic gear.

STEP 3 - PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW

The applicant will be interviewed to determine his/her qualifications. If successful, the applicant will be given a Personal History Statement (PHS) and a list of required documents that will need to be gathered.

STEP 4 - BACKGROUND INTERVIEW

Also known as the personal history statement interview, the applicant will meet with a staff member of the Personnel and Training Unit to review the applicant’s written statement and collect copies of any necessary documentation. The applicant will also complete waivers, a live scan (fingerprinting) and may be required to complete an autobiography. Be honest! Be complete! Trying to hide past issues, no matter how small, or failing to provide required information are two of the biggest reasons candidates will fail out of a background investigation.

STEP 5 - POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

A thorough polygraph examination will be conducted.

STEP 6 - BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

The applicant will be assigned to a Background Investigator. A comprehensive, in-depth background investigation will be conducted into all aspects of the applicant’s past and current life.

STEP 7 - COMMAND STAFF INTERVIEW

Upon completion of the background investigation, a report is prepared and given to the administrative lieutenant, the captains and finally the Chief of Police for evaluation of the candidate’s interpersonal skills, oral communication skills, and qualifications. An interview is then scheduled with the Command Staff and if successful, the candidate will be given a conditional job offer. This offer is contingent upon successfully passing steps 8 and 9 below.

STEP 8 - MEDICAL EVALUATION

A thorough medical evaluation will be conducted. The extent of the exam will be dependent upon the position for which the applicant is processing.

STEP 9 - PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION

A thorough psychological evaluation will be conducted.

STEP 10 - APPOINTMENT

If the candidate is successful in the previous nine steps, they are scheduled for the police academy (Entry Level Police Officers) or given a date to start employment.

EXPERIENCE, CHARACTER, AND EDUCATION DESIRED

YOUR EDUCATION
Most of the progressive agencies in California place a high value on a college education. An AA is a good start, but you should always consider higher education. The choice of a major is not nearly as important as the college experience itself.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A track record as a dependable & reliable employee is just as important as education. The best predictor of future behavior is past performance. Positive job references from a reputable employer are extremely important. Any consistent employment is helpful, however, jobs which emphasize public contact, interpersonal communications, dependability, and responsibility are the most important.
LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPOSURE
Make an ongoing effort to learn about law enforcement. Most agencies have part-time positions. They may be cadets, community service officers, police aides, public safety aides, etc. All provide exposure to the law enforcement environment. Agencies also have volunteer programs that can provide similar exposure and may also lead to employment opportunities.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
Start now on an ongoing physical fitness program, since you will need to be in good physical condition to successfully compete for employment and complete a police academy.
MORAL CHARACTER
Realize that any poor choices you make, especially as an adult, could jeopardize a future law enforcement career. While perfection is not expected or required, drug use, theft, dishonesty and poor judgment end many careers before they get started.
BALANCE
Above all, successful law enforcement applicants tend to be those who have balance in their lives. All of the above factors are important and the development of one to the exclusion of the others will probably frustrate your career efforts.

PREPARING FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER

The best advice we can give to prospective law enforcement employees is right here…

DRUGS

DRUGS

Don’t do drugs and don’t associate with others who use illegal drugs! – When asked about past drug use BE HONEST!

DRIVING

DRIVING

Applicants are disqualified for too many tickets, accidents, and license suspensions. In addition, make sure you are properly insured.

FITNESS

FITNESS

Make sure you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Your life or somebody else’s life may depend on it!

BILLS

BILLS

The way you manage your personal finances assists the department in determining your level of responsibility and maturity.

HONESTY

HONESTY

A lot of applicants are disqualified for lying or for integrity issues. Tell the truth no matter how embarrassed you are about your past mistakes. Remember all applicants are administered a polygraph examination during the hiring process!

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

Your employment history is very important. Make sure you develop and maintain a strong work ethic. Don’t call in sick if you are not sick, give two week’s notice if you resign from a position and report to work on time with a great attitude!

INTEGRITY

INTEGRITY

Don’t let your friends or co-workers pressure you into compromising your values or integrity. Remember integrity is “What you do when nobody is looking!"

DISQUALIFICATIONS

These issues or acts will disqualify a candidate from our employment process.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Incomplete, false, or illegible Personal History Statement
  • Falsification and/or omission of any requested information
  • Rude, belligerent, or otherwise unacceptable behavior towards staff
  • Untruthfulness to staff
  • Knowingly remaining in place where illegal drugs were used/sold
  • Prior arrests and convictions
  • Felony probation/parole
  • DUI conviction(s)
  • License suspension(s)
  • Traffic accident(s)/citations(s)
  • Poor employment or education history/performance (i.e. continual firing, poor grades/performance reviews)
  • Financial concerns (i.e. bankruptcies/collection accounts/failure to pay child support, etc.)
POLYGRAPH DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Continued responses indicating deception on questions asked
  • Failure to appear for the exam without notification or refusal to complete the exam
  • Attempts to defeat the machine (i.e., holding breath, hyperventilating, or taking drugs/alcohol before testing)
  • Withholding information from polygraph examiner
  • Admissions to conduct deemed unacceptable by Department or POST standards
  • Information uncovered by examiner which deviates from information provided to background investigator
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Failure to meet the standards as determined by the department psychologist (written and oral interview)
MEDICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Failure to meet the standards for the position as determined by the department physician

DISQUALIFICATIONS

These issues or acts will disqualify a candidate from our employment process.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Incomplete, false, or illegible Personal History Statement
  • Falsification and/or omission of any requested information
  • Rude, belligerent, or otherwise unacceptable behavior towards staff
  • Untruthfulness to staff
  • Knowingly remaining in place where illegal drugs were used/sold
  • Prior arrests and convictions
  • Felony probation/parole
  • DUI conviction(s)
  • License suspension(s)
  • Traffic accident(s)/citations(s)
  • Poor employment or education history/performance (i.e. continual firing, poor grades/performance reviews)
  • Financial concerns (i.e. bankruptcies/collection accounts/failure to pay child support, etc.)
POLYGRAPH DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Continued responses indicating deception on questions asked
  • Failure to appear for the exam without notification or refusal to complete the exam
  • Attempts to defeat the machine (i.e., holding breath, hyperventilating, or taking drugs/alcohol before testing)
  • Withholding information from polygraph examiner
  • Admissions to conduct deemed unacceptable by Department or POST standards
  • Information uncovered by examiner which deviates from information provided to background investigator
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Failure to meet the standards as determined by the department psychologist (written and oral interview)
MEDICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS
  • Failure to meet the standards for the position as determined by the department physician

APPLY TODAY TO JOIN THE RIALTO PD

So what do you think? Can you meet our requirements and expectations?