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Build your career with one of the Bay Area's most progressive departments.
"Providing Excellent Service with Integrity and Respect."
The Redwood City Police Department is an organization of professionals dedicated to providing the best police services possible. We are comprised of 94 sworn officers, 36 professional staff, and 25 volunteers who reflect the diverse communities they serve.
We work in partnership with our community to protect life and property, improve quality of life, and reduce crime and the fear of crime. We are proud to say "no call to small", and respond to everything from major homicides to quality of life issues.
RCPD is led by Chief of Police Kristina Bell, appointed in 2023, and organized into two divisions: Patrol and Support Services.
Competitive compensation matters, but so do the tools, schedule, support, and opportunities behind the badge. RCPD is built for officers who want modern policing resources, meaningful specialty paths, and a department that invests in keeping good people for the long haul.
RCPD equips officers with technology that improves response, reporting, and investigative workflow across the department.
RCPD gives officers room to specialize, teach, investigate, and lead. Explore the assignment paths below to see where your career can grow beyond patrol.
Police Officer Trainees are registered for the Basic Police Academy course to meet POST training mandates. Upon completion, they transition to Police Officer roles and enter the Field Training Program. RCPD emphasizes community policing and seeks candidates dedicated to excellent service with integrity and respect.
Open only to candidates who have graduated from a California police academy and have less than one year of patrol experience.
We seek officers with a broad spectrum of experience whose diverse backgrounds help deliver premier law enforcement services focused on community-based policing and collaborative problem-solving.
The people are what make the Redwood City Police Department stand out. There's a real sense of support and unity here and it honestly feels like a second family. That carries into the work we do, and it's really rewarding knowing we're making a meaningful difference in the community.
Working within a close-knit department that has allowed me to build meaningful professional relationships while fostering a deep sense of connection to the community I serve
My favorite part of working for RCPD is feeling genuinely appreciated and valued in my role. I have a voice here, my input is encouraged, respected, and truly listened to. It makes a difference to be seen as more than just an employee or a number, but as someone who contributes meaningfully to the team.
Working at RCPD has impacted me in many positive ways. Working at RCPD has made me feel a sense of belonging and purpose. I feel like that work I do it very meaningful. I enjoy talking to and helping the community, and even on their worst days, the members of the community seem appreciative that they know the RCPD personnel will help make their situation better.
The Redwood City Police Department has impacted my career in ways I did not expect after working at another agency for nine years. I have been able to learn, experience and enjoy the career again and in this environment enjoying your work is extremely important. Here at the Redwood City Police Department there are many people that I work with daily that I get the opportunity to learn from and have the mentorship from to further my personal skillset and career.
Working at the Redwood City Police Department has impacted me in a positive manner in both a professional and personal aspect. It has strengthened my sense of duty, responsibility, and commitment to serving the community. Through daily interactions with residents from a wide range of cultural, social, and professional backgrounds, I have focused on building strong and mutually respectful relationships with the community.
Honestly, my favorite part is working for an agency that actually checks in to make sure their staff is happy. That's not something you see everywhere, and it says a lot about how much this department values its people. The culture here is really healthy, and it shows.
My favorite part about working for RCPD is the almost instantaneous family feel you get from the moment you join the team. There is a strong sense of support and camaraderie that makes even the toughest days more manageable. I also really value that no two days are ever alike, and each shift brings something new that keeps the job interesting and engaging. I have never once been bored, and that constant variety keeps me motivated. Most importantly, I genuinely feel like the work I am doing makes a meaningful difference.
My favorite part about working at Redwood City PD is the team environment. Everyone gets along and works well together, which makes the job a lot easier. I'm comfortable with everyone here, and it's easy to talk to people whether it's work-related or just regular conversation. People are also really welcoming to new hires, which says a lot about the culture. It just feels like a solid group to be a part of.
I was drawn to the Redwood City Police Department because of the positive reputation and high level of professionalism they are known for. Working at the Redwood City Police Department has motivated me to better myself to better serve the community I work for.
The Redwood City police department has positively impacted me in pushing myself to become a better officer. It shows that specialty positions are earned by hard working officers and not given to officers because there is simply a vacancy open. The department has pushed me to become more responsible and accountable for my work ethic.
I was inspired to work for Redwood City because I grew up here, still have family here, and continue to call it home. I wanted to serve my community, and having the opportunity to work as a police officer in my hometown has been truly meaningful. It allows me to make a real difference in a community that means so much to me.
Working at the Redwood City Police Department is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. My role here provides a sense of purpose, which is rooted in the work I do each day. What happens within these walls, has a direct impact on the citizens of this city and a broader ripple effect across the county as a whole. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to the mission and values that define the Redwood City Police Department.
The people are what make the Redwood City Police Department stand out. There's a real sense of support and unity here and it honestly feels like a second family. That carries into the work we do, and it's really rewarding knowing we're making a meaningful difference in the community.
Working within a close-knit department that has allowed me to build meaningful professional relationships while fostering a deep sense of connection to the community I serve
My favorite part of working for RCPD is feeling genuinely appreciated and valued in my role. I have a voice here, my input is encouraged, respected, and truly listened to. It makes a difference to be seen as more than just an employee or a number, but as someone who contributes meaningfully to the team.
Working at RCPD has impacted me in many positive ways. Working at RCPD has made me feel a sense of belonging and purpose. I feel like that work I do it very meaningful. I enjoy talking to and helping the community, and even on their worst days, the members of the community seem appreciative that they know the RCPD personnel will help make their situation better.
The Redwood City Police Department has impacted my career in ways I did not expect after working at another agency for nine years. I have been able to learn, experience and enjoy the career again and in this environment enjoying your work is extremely important. Here at the Redwood City Police Department there are many people that I work with daily that I get the opportunity to learn from and have the mentorship from to further my personal skillset and career.
Working at the Redwood City Police Department has impacted me in a positive manner in both a professional and personal aspect. It has strengthened my sense of duty, responsibility, and commitment to serving the community. Through daily interactions with residents from a wide range of cultural, social, and professional backgrounds, I have focused on building strong and mutually respectful relationships with the community.
Honestly, my favorite part is working for an agency that actually checks in to make sure their staff is happy. That's not something you see everywhere, and it says a lot about how much this department values its people. The culture here is really healthy, and it shows.
My favorite part about working for RCPD is the almost instantaneous family feel you get from the moment you join the team. There is a strong sense of support and camaraderie that makes even the toughest days more manageable. I also really value that no two days are ever alike, and each shift brings something new that keeps the job interesting and engaging. I have never once been bored, and that constant variety keeps me motivated. Most importantly, I genuinely feel like the work I am doing makes a meaningful difference.
My favorite part about working at Redwood City PD is the team environment. Everyone gets along and works well together, which makes the job a lot easier. I'm comfortable with everyone here, and it's easy to talk to people whether it's work-related or just regular conversation. People are also really welcoming to new hires, which says a lot about the culture. It just feels like a solid group to be a part of.
I was drawn to the Redwood City Police Department because of the positive reputation and high level of professionalism they are known for. Working at the Redwood City Police Department has motivated me to better myself to better serve the community I work for.
The Redwood City police department has positively impacted me in pushing myself to become a better officer. It shows that specialty positions are earned by hard working officers and not given to officers because there is simply a vacancy open. The department has pushed me to become more responsible and accountable for my work ethic.
I was inspired to work for Redwood City because I grew up here, still have family here, and continue to call it home. I wanted to serve my community, and having the opportunity to work as a police officer in my hometown has been truly meaningful. It allows me to make a real difference in a community that means so much to me.
Working at the Redwood City Police Department is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. My role here provides a sense of purpose, which is rooted in the work I do each day. What happens within these walls, has a direct impact on the citizens of this city and a broader ripple effect across the county as a whole. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to the mission and values that define the Redwood City Police Department.
College credits earned during the Academy do not count toward the minimum. No waivers are available for these standards.
Applicants should complete the PelletB and other required department testing steps instead of submitting NTN results.
We're happy to provide more insight into the local environment — use the contact form below or email rcpdrecruiting@redwoodcity.org.
If you are between categories, use the contact form below or email rcpdrecruiting@redwoodcity.org and we can help you apply to the best fit.
Use the form below to connect with recruiting directly. If you're curious about testing, laterals, academy sponsorship, or next steps, we'll help you get the answers you need.
Pick your lane, make it official, and let Redwood City show you what the next chapter can look like.
Need academy sponsorship? Train with purpose, earn while you learn, and step straight into a department built for growth.
Apply on CalOppsBring your California academy foundation to a department that wants ready-to-run officers with strong instincts and stronger community values.
Apply on CalOppsFor experienced California officers ready for top-step pay, modern tools, and a place where good work opens real specialty doors.
Apply on CalOpps