Image of a Police car and the words "Hiring Processs"

There are 10 steps involved in the hiring process:

1) Application

To start the process, go to the city’s website (or click here) and find the job listing that you are applying for (Police Officer Recruit/Lateral, Police Service Officer, etc.).  Fill out the online application, the tab is located on the right hand side, near the top of the flyer (next to “Print Job Information”).

If do not have internet access, you may apply in person at City Hall, at the Personnel Division, 1033 5th Street, Clovis, CA 93612.

Some positions may require a written or oral examination administered by the Personnel Division after the application process, prior to moving forward to the oral interview process with the Police Department.

2) Oral interview

Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed.  If accepted, you will be contacted at one of the numbers you provided on the application and scheduled for an oral interview.  Interviews are typically held on a Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, and last approximately 30 mins.

The panel normally consists of 3 department members, usually in the field that you are applying for.  You will be asked a series of questions and be given a chance to let the board know something about you and your experience.

3) Personal History Statement (PHS)

If selected to continue, you will be required to complete a personal history statement (PHS) or background packet.  For those not aware, this packet is involved and can take some time to fill out.  This is the first step of the Background Investigation.  The packet includes checks of employment, police, financial, education, and military records, and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends.

If you want to get a head start, you can download a fillable PDF form here: https://post.ca.gov/Forms#background

Once turned in, you PHS will be reviewed.

4) Captain’s Interview

If selected to continue, you will meet one on one with the Administrative Captain in charge of hiring.  The Captain will review your PHS and get to know you.

5) Polygraph examination

The Polygraph Examination is conducted to confirm information obtained during the selection process.

6) Background Investigation

If selected to continue, you will meet with a Background Investigator.  It is imperative that all information an applicant provides is truthful and accurate. Omission of facts is considered to be untruthful. Any measurement short of this falls below our standard and can be grounds for disqualification.

A background inquiry can include but is not limited to the following: 

  • Driving History
  • Education transcripts
  • Friends and family references
  • Current and past employers
  • Credit
  • Past relationships
  • Landlords
  • Roommates
  • Other acquaintances
  • Immigration / Nationalization
  • Military
  • Polygraph Interview

7) Personnel Commission Interview  (Police Officer only)

If selected to continue, candidates will interview with citizens from our community who volunteer to sit on the Personnel Commission.  The panel usually consists of 3 members.

If selected to continue, at this point candidates are given a conditional offer of employment with the Clovis Police Department.  The condition is that the candidate passes the last two required tests.

8) Psychological evaluation

The Psychological Evaluation consists of an oral interview and evaluation by a psychologist on factors related to successful performance in the difficult and stressful job of Police Officer. The information evaluated includes the written psychological tests along with information obtained in the background investigation process.

9) Medical evaluation

The Medical Evaluation is thorough and it is essential that you be in excellent health with no conditions which would restrict your ability to safely perform the essential functions of the Police Officer job. 

The time it takes to complete the hiring process is approximately 90 days from the date of your oral interview.  It all depends on how extensive each candidate’s background is to complete.