San Diego Police Department

San Diego Police Department

The intent of the San Diego Police Department SkillBridge Program is to offer military personnel and their spouses, who are interested in a career with this law enforcement agency, insight, and exposure to policing methods and procedures. The SkillBridge intern will be given the opportunity to learn and observe general law enforcement functions within multiple teams, units, and divisions. The intern will work with experienced police officers, detectives and other non-sworn employees to further their opportunities for a career as a San Diego Police Officer.

Eligibility

1. Must be 20 ½  years of age or older.

2. Must be enrolled through the SkillBridge Program.

3. Must successfully pass the following prior to selection into the program:

   1. Written test or obtain waiver

   2. Physical abilities test

   3. Pre-investigative questionnaire

   4. Polygraph

   5. SkillBridge interview

4. To remain in the SkillBridge program, the inter must successfully pass the following:

   1. Background process

   2. Appointing authority interview

   3. Psychiatric evaluation

   4. Medical evaluation

   5. Must be willing to complete any and all waiver requests

   6. Must agree to abide with all program requirements and rules

Application

1. Prospective SkillBridge interns will complete the San Diego Police Department Internship Application and take part in the initial background process to be considered for the program.

2. An oral interview will be conducted by the Recruiter and/or the Recruiting Unit supervisor to evaluate the applicant for the position; including professional appearance, self-expression, mental alertness, and suitability for internship duties, as well as the applicant’s educational record and interest level in a career as a San Diego Police Officer.

3. The recruiter will conduct a detailed review and evaluation of each applicant and will make the determination if the applicant will receive the internship opportunity.

4. If the applicant is selected, the applicant will go through the San Diego Police Department background process. The applicant will provide a photocopy of their valid driver’s license, as well as complete and sign an internship packet which includes: Authority of Release of Information Waiver, CJIS-NCIC Terminal Operator Certification Form, Ride-Along Waiver of Liability and Information Agreement, Personal Drug History Form. The applicant will also be required to come to San Diego Police Department to have his/her fingerprints captured and photograph taken.

5. After a background investigation of the applicant, a final decision will be made by the Recruiting Unit supervisor concerning the acceptance of the applicant for the program.

Background Investigation

A background investigation up to polygraph and interview will be completed on each applicant prior to final acceptance of into SkillBridge internship program. The background check will consist, at minimum, of the following:

1.      A criminal history check with appropriate criminal justice agencies.

2.      NCIC Query

3.      Review of Personal Drug History Form

4.      Polygraph

Additionally, Academic criteria and a resume may be required.

Orientation

Interns accepted into the program are obligated to attend a mandatory orientation at the San Diego Police Department before starting the internship. If the intern is unable to attend the specified date/time of orientation, they must communicate with the Recruiter or Recruiting Unit supervisor prior to the date of orientation to schedule an alternative date/time. If the intern does not communicate with the Recruiter or Recruiting Unit supervisor prior to orientation and does not attend the orientation, they will be removed from the program.

During orientation, interns will be notified of expectations, issued a SDPD internship identification card, and provided a suggested 14-week schedule. The intern will also complete the necessary security awareness training prior to orientation or during orientation. At the conclusion of the internship, interns will return their SDPD intern Identification card to the Recruiting Unit, concluding their department access and ride-along privileges.

SkillBridge Program

Schedule

1. Job Title:

   • Police Officer Recruit

2. Job Description: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sandiego/jobs/4245092/police-officer-recruit-level

v  Police Officer (Recruit Level) employees attend the Police Academy classroom lectures on subjects including criminal law, laws of arrest, traffic laws, juvenile law, principles of law enforcement, rules of evidence, rules of search and seizure, patrol theory and methods, and report writing; observe demonstrations on arrest and control methods and the care and use of firearms; participate in physical conditioning and self-defense exercises; practice the use of firearms; and take examinations.

v  Minimum Qualifications
AGE: 20 years of age on the date you apply; 21 years by date of Academy graduation.
CITIZENSHIP: Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

LICENSE:  A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.
EDUCATION:  You must meet ONE of the following options:                             

·         Graduation from a public high school located within the United States.

·         Graduation from an accredited nonpublic high school located within the United States.

·         Graduation from a United States Department of Defense high school.

·         Passage of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) test or passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination.

·         Possession of a two-year, four-year or advanced degree from an accredited college or university (accreditation must be from an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education of the United States of America).

3.      SkillBridge Requirements

Individuals who are placed on the eligible list, are being evaluated by the San Diego Police Department for the SkillBridge program, must successfully pass the following prior to being selected to the SkillBridge program:

v  PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST: The physical agility test is pass/fail examination which consists of 5 different events based on the California P.O.S.T. Work Sample Test Battery and measures a variety of physical abilities necessary in police work and the Police Academy. The test requires candidates to: 

·         Complete a 99-yard Obstacle Course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb height obstacles, and a 34-inch-high obstacle that must be vaulted.

·         Jump, step, and/or climb over 6-foot chain link fence.

·         Jump, step, and/or climb over 6-foot solid fence.

·         Partially lift and drag a 150 pound "simulated victim". 

·         Complete a 500-yard run.

v  SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

·         PRE-INVESTIGATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE: On the day of the physical agility test, candidates will also complete a Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. 

·         PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT: Candidates will be required to complete and submit a Personal History Statement to the Police Department.  Information regarding this step of the process will be provided to candidates at a later date.

·         MEDICAL EXAMINATION:  A City medical examination including drug screening and documentation of medical history that meets City of San Diego and/or P.O.S.T. guidelines will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment. Medical conditions must enable the applicant to perform the essential duties of the position. The City of San Diego is committed to a drug and alcohol-free work place.

·         PHSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION: A City psychological  examination will be conducted regarding your pre-investigative questionnaire.

·         VISION/HEARING REQUIREMENTS: Vision requirements vary depending upon the corrective measures employed.

·         Polygraph

4.      Length of Training:

4. Total Weeks: 14 weeks

5.      Timeline:

v  Week 1: Introduction to the City of San Diego and San Diego Police Department, on boarding Training

·         Complete onboard training assignments by success factors.

v  Week 2-5:

·         Complete daily and weekly assignments (Specialized Unit 1)

o   Meet with assigned mentors at different specialized units within our department to assist them with specialized assignments within the unit.

o   Assist recruiting officers with events.

o   Participate with physical fitness for CAMP (Candidate Assistance Mentoring Program).

o   Participate on a ride along program.

o   SkillBridge candidates will rotate between three specialized units for exposure to our department and different assignments.

v  Week 6-9:

·         Complete daily and weekly assignments (Specialized Unit 2)

o   Meet with assigned mentors at different specialized units within our department to assist them with specialized assignments within the unit.

o   Assist recruiting officers with events.

o   Participate with physical fitness for CAMP (Candidate Assistance Mentoring Program).

o   Participate on a ride along program.

o   SkillBridge candidates will rotate between three specialized units for exposure to our department and different assignments.

v  Week 10-13:

·         Complete daily and weekly assignments (Specialized Unit 3)

o   Meet with assigned mentors at different specialized units within our department to assist them with specialized assignments within the unit.

o   Assist recruiting officers with events.

o   Participate with physical fitness for CAMP (Candidate Assistance Mentoring Program).

o   Participate on a ride along program.

o   SkillBridge candidates will rotate between three specialized units for exposure to our department and different assignments.

v  Week 14: Dismissal of SkillBridge program

o   Meet with recruiting unit for the week to assist with any special assignment within the unit.

o   Debrief of SkillBridge program survey and interview.

6.      Titles of Training Modules and Learning Outcomes:

6. The training is considered "on the job training" and has no specific module or name.

7. Learning outcomes will be apparent by the applicant’s ability to perform the day-to-day requirements of the positions.

7. Specific Learning Objectives of SkillBridge:

   • Contributes to the team effort of maintaining a presence within the department and learns how to help the community and deter crime and provide support to citizens.

   • Collaborates in building strong relationships within the department and learns how to build strong community relationships with citizens, upholding  best practices of Community Oriented Policing.

   • Learns how to act as a police presence at major public events to ensure public safety.

   • Learns to Identifies potential criminal activity or other hazardous situations and learns to take proper actions to protect citizens and property.

   • Learns to help secure crime scenes and process evidence.

   • Learns to responds to calls for service; Observes violations; sees arrests being made and watches citations being issued when necessary.

   • Learns to conducts criminal investigations by gathering evidence and interviewing victims and witnesses.

   • Learns how to document observations and actions by radioing information; completing reports.

   • Learns to fulfill court orders by learning to testify in court regarding criminal investigations and citations.

   • Learns to maintain safe traffic conditions by monitoring and directing traffic; learns to enforce laws and ordinances; investigates collisions; reports unsafe streets and facilities.

      

8. Type of Instructional Model:

   • On the job training

9. Instructor Qualification:

   • The City of San Diego and San Diego Police Department will assign a "mentor" and a manager to the SkillBridge intern.

   • Each person assigned to SUPPORT the fellow is qualified for the role they are filling and will ensure the fellow is being taught how to the job to the standards of the City of San Diego and the San Diego Police Department.

10. Assessments:

    • Standardized performance ratings will be used to assess Service members' performance.

      • These will be similar to performance rating documents already in place to review City employees.

    • Continuous feedback and evaluations will be provided throughout the program.

      • SkillBridge Fellows are highly encouraged to actively participate in this feedback process by asking questions and seeking clarity when needed.

11. Training Outcomes:

    • Training outcome is to support military and veterans with a future into the San Diego Police Department.

    • SkillBridge applicants who complete SkillBridge and the background process may be approved and accepted into the San Diego Police Regional Academy.

    • A possible career into San Diego Police Department as a Police Officer.