Protect Communities. Uphold trust.

Join the Oakland Housing Authority Police Department and serve with purpose in a mission-driven, community-based law enforcement agency.

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Oakland Housing Authority Police Department

The Oakland Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in Oakland, which includes Authority owned properties.  OHAPD operates as a supplemental policing entity to the City of Oakland Police Department (OPD), focusing on serving the residents of OHA properties. OHAPD is a certified law enforcement agency under California Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA POST) under PC 830.31(d).

Police Officer Recruit

Earn $40.62 per hour

The Police Officer Recruit is a non-sworn trainee who attends a California POST-certified police academy to prepare for appointment as a Police Officer with the Oakland Housing Authority Police Department. Recruits participate in pre-academy conditioning, defensive tactics, firearms training, and academic instruction covering law enforcement principles, community relations, and emergency response. Successful completion of the academy may lead to promotion to a sworn Police Officer position.

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED

  • At least 20.5 years of age at time of application

  • Valid California Driver’s License and insurable driving record

  • Eligible to attend a POST-certified Basic Police Academy

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has applied for citizenship

  • No felony convictions or disqualifying offenses

  • Must not have completed a POST Basic Academy within the last 36 months

  • Willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts

  • Valid POST PELLETB “T-score” of 42+ or acceptable National Testing Network scores

  • Bilingual ability in ASL, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and/or Spanish is a plus

Apply now

Police Officer Lateral

Earn $55.50 - $69.35 per hour

Lateral Police Officers with the Oakland Housing Authority Police Department perform full law enforcement duties under California Penal Code §830.31(d). Officers patrol Authority-owned properties, enforce laws and regulations, investigate crimes, respond to emergencies, and engage with residents through community policing initiatives. The department is POST-certified and CALEA-accredited.

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED

  • At least 20.5 years of age at time of application

  • Valid California Driver’s License and insurable driving record

  • Currently a sworn peace officer OR possess a valid POST Basic Certificate

  • Out-of-state applicants must obtain a California POST Basic Course Waiver

  • No felony convictions or disqualifying offenses

  • Willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts

  • Bilingual ability in ASL, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and/or Spanish is a plus

Apply now

Selection Process

Applicants will undergo a multi-step hiring process that includes a physical ability test, oral interview, and personal history review. Qualified candidates may then complete a polygraph or CVSA exam, an intensive background investigation, and an interview with the Department Director. Those who pass will receive a conditional job offer, followed by medical and psychological evaluations. The full process is typically completed within 90 days.

The physical ability test—required for all police officer applicants—measures strength, endurance, and agility to ensure candidates can perform essential law enforcement duties.

1
Elements of the physical ability performance test are:

  • Obstacle Course/Agility Run: Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch-high obstacle that must be vaulted.

  • Body Drag: Life and drag a 165-pound lifelike dummy 32 feet.

  • Solid Fence Climb: Run 5 yards to a 6-foot solid fence, climb over fence, and continue running another 25 yards.

  • 500 Yard Run: Run 500 yards

2
Scoring of each element (see attached tables) will be cumulative. A minimum score of 384 must be obtained to demonstrate sufficient physical ability to perform as a patrol officer.
‍See attachment: POST Physical Ability Test Tables.pdf
3
OHAPD will accept similar physical ability tests proctored by other law enforcement agencies that have been taken within the last six months from application.

  • One year’s experience in a police department, serving in one or more of the following categories: police dispatcher, parking enforcement officer, police records clerk, or in a clerical capacity where police related systems were used.

Start Your Application

Fill out the form below and start your application for a position with Oakland Housing Authority.

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