The free, voluntary program is open to anyone at least 20 years old who is interested in becoming a Pasadena police officer, and the department especially encourages people already in its background investigation process to attend. During the workshop, attendees met members of the department, learned about the hiring process and tried a sample of the physical fitness challenges expected in academy training, according to the city. Sessions cover academy memorization techniques, health and wellness, marching and inspection preparation, conditioning work, physical fitness testing aligned with state standards, and an overview of academy expectations.
Pasadena recruits train at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy, one of roughly 40 academies in California certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The commission sets a 664-hour minimum for the regular basic course; the Orange County academy’s intensive format runs 984 hours, according to Santa Ana College, which grants academic credit for the program.
The fitness standard is published. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s physical agility test has three pass-fail stations: 30 push-ups in two minutes, 30 sit-ups in two minutes, and a mile-and-a-half run in 14 minutes.
Minimum standards for California peace officers sit in Government Code sections 1029 and 1031. They bar felony convictions, require legal authorization to work in the United States, and require a background investigation along with medical and psychological evaluation. Section 1031 adds that it “shall not be construed to preclude the adoption of additional or higher standards,” including on age, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department requires deputies to be at least 21 by the date of appointment.
The department has reason to court applicants. Its Employment Services Unit hired five lateral sworn officers, seven police trainees, three park safety officers and 18 professional staff in the period covered by the city’s most recent police budget narrative, which describes recruitment as challenging for law enforcement across the country and lists development of a pre-academy program among the responses.
Officer Darlene Alvarenga oversees the agility portion of the workshop and Corporal Michael Arellanes covers academy expectations and professional standards, according to the city.
To reserve a spot in an upcoming session, contact the Employment Services Unit at (626) 744-4505. Career information is posted at https://www.cityofpasadena.
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