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1. What are the milestones in the hiring process for candidates?

• Initial Department Interview
• Background Investigation
• Lieutenant’s Interview
• Captain’s Interview
• Conditional Offer
• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Evaluation
• Internal Hiring Panel Evaluation 
• Police Chief’s Interview

2. How long does a background investigation take?

Background investigations can be complex, so it depends on the applicant’s history. They typically take two to four months. 

3. What are possible disqualifiers for police officer applicants?

Government Code Section 1029 lists all disqualifications for employment for peace officers, including felony convictions. 

4. What will disqualify an applicant during a background investigation?

Applicants seeking employment as a peace officer are evaluated on an individual basis. The totality of the background investigation is taken into consideration for disqualification or non-select purposes. Bottom line, be honest from the start. In dealing with legal issues, we take into consideration the seriousness of the offense, the age of the candidate at the time of the offense, how recently the offense occurred, the career path of the candidate at the time of the offense, any mitigating circumstances, and the impact, if any, upon the candidate’s potential credibility as a witness in a court of law.

5. If my juvenile background is sealed, will my history affect recruitment?

Applicants seeking employment as a peace officer are evaluated on an individual basis. The totality of the background investigation is taken into consideration for disqualification or non-select purposes. It is important to underscore that a sealing or expungement usually does not relieve the applicant from providing information about the underlying conduct that led to such a sealed or expunged record. One possible exception might be an arrest/conviction expunged by a court pursuant to PC §851.8, in which case the court made a factual finding of innocence, as there is no underlying conduct to disclose. 

6. Will debt and bad credit disqualify an applicant during the background investigation?

Although this is an important area of investigation, the evaluation of a candidate’s behavior regarding the handling of finances is careful and judicious. It is critically important for the background investigator to understand the full circumstances surrounding any apparently negative financial information. Commission Regulations 1953(e)(11) and 1959(e)(10) require that a credit check be performed on peace officer candidates, “to determine the candidate’s credit standing with lenders, as an indication of the candidate’s dependability and integrity.” 

7. Do points on my driving disqualify me during the background investigation?

The City of San Mateo requires applicants to possess of a valid California driver’s license. The candidate’s driving record, in particular the nature and number of moving violations and the number of accidents, can provide useful information about the individual’s driving ability as well as other job-relevant personal characteristics.

8. Are drugs or excessive alcohol use disqualifiers?

Applicants seeking employment as a police officer are evaluated on an individual basis. The totality of the background investigation is taken into consideration for disqualification or non-select purposes.

9. I’ve been arrested before. Does this disqualify me?

It depends. We recommend you disclose the arrest and adjudication for evaluation.