San Diego Police Department Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 6 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
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Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at San Diego Police Department.
San Diego Police Department
911 Dispatcher
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
So I had 8 questions asked by 3 different people, all in the same room. They asked about my past experiences, what I know about the job, and how I solve problems. It wasn't too difficult.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you list situations from first to last priority?
San Diego Police Department
Police Officer
Entry Difficult Positive experience Decline offer 8 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Take home Technical screen Background check Group Presentation Background check Background check Offer
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral Presentation
You begin by submitting an online application. If you meet the basic criteria, you can schedule your written exam. You might be able to complete both the written test and the physical agility test (obstacle course) in the same weekend if you're ready. After passing those, you'll need to complete a Personal History Questionnaire (PIQ). Following that, your background investigator will contact you (it took about four days for me) to schedule a psychological exam and interview, which will be based on your PIQ answers and held in the Miramar/Scripps Ranch area. Next, there's a medical exam and a polygraph test, both conducted at SDPD headquarters on Broadway. The oral board interview also takes place at headquarters. I found my background investigator to be really helpful and supportive throughout the process, as were the staff at the practice physical test sessions. It's good to know that you're not completely out if you're not quite ready for a specific academy start date; you might just be moved to a later group instead of being rejected outright. I was really pleased to get an offer, even though I had already accepted a position elsewhere.
Confirmed questions8 questions
- For the oral board, be ready to discuss various hypothetical scenarios and also give an overview of your background related to this job, covering aspects like leadership, discipline, community involvement, schooling, and your physical conditioning.
- Can you tell me about your leadership experiences?
- Tell me about a time you demonstrated discipline.
San Diego Police Department
Criminalist
Mid Average Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Onsite Panel
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
So, you usually face a panel of three people who will just read out their questions. The first thing they'll ask is about your background and experience. It's best to have a smooth, practiced answer ready. They'll also ask about dealing with difficult people and practical chemistry questions like whether you add water to acid or acid to water.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What would you do if you saw a colleague "dry-labbing"?
San Diego Police Department
Police Officer
Entry Average Positive experience Decline offer 5 rounds
Interview process
Technical screen Background check Recruiter call Presentation
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral Other
First, there's a written test, then the PAT and PAQ. After that, a polygraph, and then a formal interview. Once you pass the formal interview, you start the basic training. That's a few months of intense training where you learn to use a firearm. After completing that, you can officially become a police officer.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Do you have any history of drug use?
San Diego Police Department Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from San Diego Police Department interview reports.
“If you arrived at work and detected the scent of alcohol on a coworker, how would you proceed?”
Read reports →“What would you do if you saw another officer behaving improperly?”
Read reports →“Do you have any history of drug use?”
Read reports →“How do you cope with stress?”
Read reports →“What would you do if you saw a colleague "dry-labbing"?”
Read report →“Why do you want to be a police officer?”
Read report →“Can you list situations from first to last priority?”
Read report →“What volunteer work have you done?”
Read report →“Tell me about a time you demonstrated discipline.”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 6 San Diego Police Department interview reports.