Eligible applicants for the Hospital Police Officer position must be at least 21- years-old, have no felony convictions, have a High School Diploma or GED, be a U.S. citizen or have applied for citizenship, and possess a California Driver’s License. A state application form must be completed and turned in to the employment office. The employment office notifies applicants of scheduled written test dates. Applicants are given a general law enforcement written exam; those with the most competitive scores are scheduled for an oral interview. Successful applicants must then pass an extensive background investigation and a psychological and physical screening.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, applicants must complete a P.C. 832 Arrest Course prior to their hire date. Allan Hancock College offers a 40-hour POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) Certified, Penal Code 832 Arrest Course. Students can elect to attend classes at either Allan Hancock College or Atascadero State Hospital. To enroll in this course, please contact Christina McMillan at Allan Hancock College at (805) 922-6966, Ext. 3284 or Ext. 3802.

New police hires will attend a 13-week program at the Forensic Law Enforcement Academy at Atascadero State Hospital while receiving their full starting salary. Upon graduation officers will receive an additional six weeks of on-the-job training with a field training officer. The Atascadero State Hospital Law Enforcement Academy is endorsed by Allan Hancock College for college credit.

For further information about the Hospital Police program, contact the Department of Police Services Training Unit at (805) 468-2315.