Frequently Asked Questions

Online application, written test (waived for lateral and pre-service applicants) physical agility exam (waived for lateral applicants) oral interview and background interview.  Successful candidates will proceed to a background investigation.  Applicants who successfully complete the background step will be invited to an interview with the Chief of Police. Candidates who are successful in passing their Chief’s interview will receive a job offer contingent on passing the medical and psychological exams.

You will receive an invitation to the next available written and physical agility tests.  Tests are conducted monthly.  If you have a scheduling conflict with the listed test dates, email us at: policerecruitment@cityofinglewood.org

The test dates and times are set for the year and are located on our page www.joinipd.org

A high school diploma or equivalent; be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment to the position of Police Officer; vision corrected to 20/20; normal color vision, weight proportionate to height; U.S. citizen or able to obtain U.S. Citizenship within three years of application with the City, and possess a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.

Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to stand, sit in a patrol car for long periods, walk, lift, carry, push and pull a grown adult; climb walls, fences, stairs, and ladders, stoop, twist, squat/kneel, crawl, run, grasp, repeatedly bend and move wrists, use both hands, legs, and feet; speak, hear and understand radio communications, touch, feel, see at a distance and up close. Candidates must also meet POST color perception and hearing standards.

The Written Examination consists of the following: 100 total questions, 2 hour time limit.

Questions 1-20 Reading Comprehension: Read passages, process / understand the information and answer questions based on the information contained in the passage.

Questions 21-60 Language Skills: Spelling, grammar, sentence structure, identifying correctly and spelled words, synonyms and antonyms.

Question 61-80 Inductive and Deductive Reasoning: Deducing versus inferring and conclusion versus premise. Questions ask the candidate to draw inferences from general and specific statements.

Question 81-100 Name, number matching and number memorization.

You must get 70% on each section to pass. The test is broken into two sections (1-60 and 61-100) and applicants must pass EACH section with a minimum of 70%.

Yes. Your test score will be provided at the end of the test.

No. The test we administer is not a Pellet B test, we administer a proprietary test.

We accept Pellet B score of 46 or above taken at other departments. We do not accept other proprietary (non Pellet-B) test scores from other departments.

If you fail the written test, you can reapply in three months and retake the test. If you fail it a second time, you can reapply in four additional months.

There is no limit, you can retake the test until you pass following the above time restrictions.

The Physical Agility Test consists of four exercises designed to measure strength and endurance. The examination consists of

Pull-ups

Sit-ups

Push-ups

1 ½ mile run

Each event is scored and a minimum passing score is 282 points of a total maximum score of 565 points. For further, see Physical Agility Test.

Applicants who do not pass the test can retake the test after three months. Applicants who do not pass the second time can retake the test after four additional months.

The structured oral interview is conducted by a panel of Police personnel and will consist of a series of situational and other questions designed to assess the candidates, oral communication, interpersonal and decision-making skills, as well as job knowledge and skills.

The background investigation includes, but is not limited to; a polygraph examination, a thorough investigation of personal, work, educational and military history; contact with employers, family members, references, neighbors, etc., to assess the applicant’s character. A review of conviction/criminal history records will also be conducted.

The Inglewood Police Department uses the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department academies. The academy chosen for you will depend on your hire date.

All specialized units within the department are lateral positions or promotions, which require training, experience, education and selection through a promotional process. Once officers pass the probationary period and positions become available, they can apply for specialized units for which they qualify.

The entire process from submitting an application to receiving a hire date is based on an individual’s specific background history. The process can take approximately three to six months from start to finish.

Yes. If you live more than 100 miles away, please advise us after you apply that you are an out of town applicant. If you pass the written and physical tests, we will also conduct the oral and banding interviews at that time and provide you with all needed paperwork to continue the process.

No. The written test is waived.

Police Laterals are not required to take the written exam or physical agility test.

There is no age limit, but you must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment to the position of Police Officer.

Applicants can request a ride-along after passing the polygraph examination or anytime thereafter.

Lateral police officer applicants are not required to be vaccinated. All other city employees must submit proof of being COVID vaccinated as a condition of employment.

You can’t have a DUI conviction within five years of applying and no more than 1 conviction.

Any use of Marijuana in the last two years from the application date will result in disqualification.

It may disqualify you depending on the incident, which can be discussed during the hiring process.

Yes. While attending the police academy you will receive the regular salary for a police recruit.

No. The general hours of the academy are 0700-1600 with weekends and holidays off.

No. You do not need to be a resident of the City of Inglewood.