Police Captain

About the Department

THE OPPORTUNITY
The San Gabriel Police Department is recruiting for Police Captain.  This position provides the ideal candidate the opportunity to work and advance their law enforcement career in one of the most historic and beloved settings in Southern California at a time when tremendous growth and change, making our historic “City with a Mission” one of Southern California’s prime destinations.  A career with the City of San Gabriel Police Department offers a variety of programs to develop and lead, outstanding professional development opportunities, excellent pay and benefits, and a great community to work and become a part of.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of San Gabriel is seeking a Police Captain who is experienced, an effective public safety professional, and a leader.  The ideal candidate possesses highly complex interpersonal and technical skills needed to be an effective public safety leader.  The ideal candidate also has a proven record for implementing and leading successful community-based policing programs along with a great appreciation for their potential impact on the community.  And lastly, the ideal candidate is highly innovative and has outstanding analytical skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, writing skills, judgement, empathy, compassion, and a passion for public service.

THE POSITION
Under direct supervision of the Police Chief, the Police Captain performs the most complex law enforcement and crime prevention supervision; manages, plans, and coordinates programs and activities of assigned division(s); and performs other related duties as assigned.

Position Duties

For more detailed information regarding the job duties and minimum requirements for this position, please click the link below for the Police Captain class specification.

Police Captain

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, police science, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible full-time experience as a sworn officer with extensive administrative and supervisory responsibility, with one (1) year at the rank of Lieutenant.  Applicant must also be in good standing at time of application with their department.  
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California P.O.S.T. Management Certificate within 24 months of appointment.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License and ability to maintain a satisfactory driving record are required.

Other Qualifications

Application Filing Period	April 20 - May 24, 2026
Qualifying Panel Interview Exam	Week of June 1 or June 8, 2026
Practical Exam	Week of June 1 or June 8, 2026
Selection Interviews	Week of June 15 or June 22, 2026
Pre-Employment Process	TBD
Target Start Date	TBD

1. Application Screening:  All submitted applications will be screened for minimum qualifications.
2. Written Exam:  For some positions, a written exam may be administered to help assess applicants for position competency and requirements.  Those meeting the minimum qualifications for the position in Step 1 will be invited to a written examination.  Typically, the minimum qualifying score on the written exam is 70%.  This score may be adjusted depending on the number of examinees, with percentile rankings, average scores and the number of slots available for the oral appraisal interview being used as the basis for adjusting the passing score.
3. Oral Appraisal Interview: Those passing Steps 1 and 2 will be invited to the oral appraisal interview.  The oral appraisal interview is an assessment of the candidate’s experience and preparation for the position by an impartial panel of subject matter experts.  Scores from the oral appraisal interview are typically weighted 100% towards the Eligibility List for the position.  Candidates must attain a minimum score of 70% on the oral panel interview to qualify for the Eligibility List.
4. Practical Exam:  For some recruitments, a practical exam may be administered. The practical exam is a supplemental examination/evaluation tool that is typically not scored or used for qualifying purposes.
5. Eligibility List:  Those attaining a qualifying score on the examination will be placed on the Eligibility List for this position. Candidates on the Eligibility List are deemed qualified for the position and may be called at any time to participate in a selection interview with the hiring department to fill a vacancy in this position.  For more information on Eligibility List requirements, please see Rule VIII of the City’s Civil Services Rules.
6. Selection Interview: Candidates on the Eligibility List may be called at any time to participate in a selection interview with the Department to fill an immediate and/or anticipated vacancy in the position classification.  A selection interview does not guarantee an offer of employment and the Department is not obligated to hire any candidate invited to a selection interview.
7. Pre-Employment Process:  Upon a conditional offer of employment, which requires the successful completion of a selection interview and recommendation to hire from the Department, candidates shall be required to satisfactorily complete the pre-employment process.  The pre-employment process consists of (1) supplemental application, (2) medical examination, (3) fingerprint background check, (4) work experience and education verification, (5) professional reference check, and (6) comprehensive background check (e.g., POST Background).  Some position classifications may also require drug screening as part of the pre-employment process. Failure to successfully complete any part of the pre-employment process shall void any conditional offer of employment.

Provides municipal services and local governance for San Gabriel residents.