INFORMATION TO CANDIDATES  –  SELECTION PROCESS
POLICE OFFICER / LATERAL

This fact sheet provides an overview of our selection process to individuals who are interested in a law enforcement career as a Police Officer with the City of Manhattan Beach.  To learn more about statewide peace officer standards, visit the State's Peace Officer Standards and Training website. 

Police Officer/Lateral - Police Officer/Lateral requires possession of a California POST Basic Certificate in addition to current employment as a peace officer as specified in the State of California Penal Code, Section 830.1 or Section 830.2(a) – (d). Please refer to the employment page for job openings and additional qualifications. 

Application Evaluation - Applications and supplemental materials are submitted to the Human Resources Office.  Application information is reviewed and those persons whose background and experience best meet the needs of the Department are invited to participate in the selection process.  Please refer to the “Reasons for Rejection” Fact Sheet for additional information. 

Oral Interview – The oral interview is typically scheduled a few weeks after the application review (no written test is given to lateral or entry applicants). Interviews are typically conducted in the Police Department located at 420 15th Street, Manhattan Beach.  Applicants eligible to continue in the selection process will be contacted directly by the Police Department and scheduled for an interview appointment. Candidates may also be given a writing exercise at this time.

Eligible List - The oral interview scores serve to determine the applicant’s rank on the eligible list.  Candidates who obtain an overall passing score remain on the eligible list for a period of six months. During this time, they may be contacted by the Police Department for further consideration.  Veteran's Credit

Final Selection is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a Captains’ interview, an extensive background investigation, education and employment history (including a credit, criminal and DMV review), a polygraph examination, a Chief's Interview, pre-employment medical examination, and psychological examination. Candidates must successfully pass each step of the recruitment and selection process to be placed on the eligible list. 

The City of Manhattan Beach does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, political affiliation, sex, age, or disability status. Note: A drug test will be administered as part of the pre-employment medical exam. 

We hope that this information is helpful to you in preparing for our selection process for Police Officer/Lateral.  If you have additional questions, please contact the Human Resources and Training Office at (310) 802-5111.