Learn about the many professional positions where you can support the Oakland Police Department's goals and mission. OPD employs auditors, communications operators, crime analysts, dispatchers, evidence and services technicians, and records specialists as well as other positions. These positions are not necessarily open and vacant at this time; links provided for informational purposes.
Learn about criminalist positions in the Oakland Police Department's Crime Lab
Learn about the two ways to complete the police officer written examination requirement.
Salary and benefits for Oakland Police officers and staff.
Learn about becoming an Oakland Police Communications Dispatcher. Job links provided for informational purposes, as positions not always available.
OPD requires that all police officer applicants pass a an oral exam. OPD offers workshops to help prepare applicants to succeed with this step in the process.
Learn more about the PAT.
Before you can join the OPD, you are required to pass a background investigation.
The Oakland Police Department is committed to mentoring and assisting interested individuals for successful law enforcement careers.
Learn about the two ways to complete the police officer physical agility testing requirement.
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) defines Use of Force (UOF) as any physical or mechanical intervention used by a member or employee to defend, control, overpower, restrain or overcome the resistance of an individual. OPD takes UOF seriously and has employed several strategies to reduce its occurrence (see see data and definitions, strategies, and links to UOF levels below).
Level 1 UOF represents the most severe level of force (4 being least severe). Read below to learn more about Level 1 UOF as well as OPD UOF definitions and policies.
Level 2 UOF represents the 2nd most severe level of force (1 being most severe, 4 being least severe). Read below to learn more about types of Level 2 UOF as well as about OPD UOF definitions and policies.