Step One: Online Application
You may receive automated notifications via email regarding future law enforcement opportunities with the Ontario Police Department by submitting a Job Interest Card. To complete the card, select “law enforcement” from the list of available categories and provide your personal information at the bottom of the page. If a law enforcement position opens with the City of Ontario during the next 12 months, you will receive an email announcing that a related position has opened for recruitment. The email will be your notification that the City is accepting applications for a law enforcement related position. To be considered for the position, you must submit an online application by the closing date and time listed on the job opportunity announcement. Please note the City reserves the right to limit the number of applications received.
Applications received in response to a current job opportunity are screened to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position. If the minimum requirements are met, the applicant is invited to participate in the written examination.
Step Two: Written Examination
The PELLETB is a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank written examination designed to measure reading and writing ability. Applicants are given 2 ½ hours to complete the PELLETB, which contains five sections:
- Spelling (applicants select the correct spelling of a word from a list of options)
- Vocabulary (applicants select the correct meaning of a word from a list of options)
- Clarity (applicants select the sentence that is most clearly written from a pair of options)
- Reading Comprehension (applicants read a passage and answer questions about the passage’s content)
- CLOZE (applicants use contextual clues to complete a passage that contains blanks/missing words)
The passing PELLETB T-Score for the City of Ontario is 45.
Step Three: Oral Interview
Step Four: Physical Agility Test (P.A.T.)
• | Body Drag
Lift a 165 pound dummy and drag it as quickly as possible for 32 feet (two trials). |
• | Obstacle Course
Run 99 yards going around or over obstacles, such as six-inch by six-inch pylons and a 34-inch saw-horse, which may be cleared by climbing, jumping or vaulting (two trials). |
• | Chain Link Fence Climb
Run five yards, then scale a six-foot chain link fence as quickly as possible, then run an additional 25 yards (two trials). |
• | Solid Fence Climb
Run five yards, scale a solid six-foot wood fence as quickly as possible then run an additional 25 yards. This fence may be scaled in any fashion except by use of the fence supports (two trials). |
• | 500 Yard Run
Run 500 yards as quickly as possible on a paved road (one trial). |
You should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and athletic shoes for this test. Candidates who pass the P.A.T. are eligible to continue the selection process.
Step Five: Background Investigation and Administrative Interviews
• | Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for a career in law enforcement. |
• | The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified. |
• | You must list a history of your residences. |
• | Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance. |
• | Military service records are subject to verification. |
• | The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you). |
• | Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated. Felony convictions will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process. |
• | If you have a history of recent or prolonged use of illegal controlled substances (i.e., Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Marijuana, etc.), you may be dismissed from the process. |
IMPORTANT! The background investigation is very thorough and time-consuming for both the applicant and the Department. If you have any concerns or questions about events in your past, the Ontario Police Department suggests that you consult with a Department Background Investigator at (909) 395-2820.
The information provided in your Personal History Questionnaire is verified in a polygraph (lie detector) test. Your fingerprints are also taken by the Department at this time.
During the background investigation process you will participate in Administrative Interviews with Department personnel including the Chief of Police.
Step Six: Conditional Job Offer
Step Seven: Medical Evaluation and Psychological Examination
The medical exam verifies that you do not have conditions that would physically prevent you from performing all of your duties as an officer or that would be susceptible to the stress of the job. Such problems may be a cardiac problem or any ailment that restricts your physical movement.
Because police work requires mental stability and strong moral character, you must pass a series of written psychological tests and an interview before you can be hired. A psychological exam is conducted by a City-contracted psychologist and involves a series of tests, which profiles your personality type and evaluates your suitability for a career in law enforcement
Air Support
Bike Patrol
Canine Handler
Gang Investigator
Traffic Division
Career Criminal Division
Range Staff
SWAT
Crisis Response Team
COPS
Explorer Advisor
Terrorism Task Force
Multi Enforcement Team
Honor Guard
Weaponless Defense Instructor
School Resource Officer
Mobile Field Force