In order to be considered for a law enforcement position with the Ontario Police Department, applicants must submit an online application in response to a current job opportunity listed on the City’s website at www.ontarioca.gov/employment. If a position is not listed on the current job opportunity page, the City is not accepting employment applications for the position at this time. Please refer to the Hiring Process page for additional information regarding the City’s application process.

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.

The written exam is designed for an entry-level peace officer position, requiring no prior law enforcement experience. The Post Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) is designed by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Applicants are encouraged to review the Applicant Preparation Guide for the Post Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery available online at post.ca.gov prior to taking the exam.

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.

This interview is conducted by a panel from the Police Department, which evaluates your experience and training, problem solving ability, inter-personal skills, communication skills, and interest in the position. Additionally, your employment, educational, criminal, and driving history will be evaluated.

This test, which is scored on a pass/fail basis, evaluates candidates on various physical maneuvers. You should be in good physical condition to attempt the physical agility test. It is recommended that you begin a physical training program in order to prepare for the P.A.T. and the demands of police work; however, it is a good idea to check with your physician before starting such a program. The following events comprise the test:

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.

You begin the background investigation by completing the Personal History Questionnaire. On this form, you must provide the Department with a detailed summary of your educational, employment, financial, legal, and related histories. The following list describes some areas that are covered in the investigation:

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.

Following the successful completion of all prior steps candidates may be made a conditional job offer. Job offers are conditional upon the successful completion of a medical evaluation and psychological examination.

Prior to your actual appointment with the Department, you must pass a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation.

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