Frequently Asked Questions
Some popular questions have been asked, in particular with our Police Recruitment. We wanted to provide some of those questions here. If you do not have your question answered on this page, please send us a line or a text message at (480) 637-5298 and our Hiring Unit will get back to you.
Does the Department accommodate out-of-area applicants?
The start of the process is conducted virtually, and applicants will not be asked to travel to Gilbert for initial tests or interviews. Out-of-area applicants should plan to travel to Gilbert twice during the complete testing and hiring process.
Where do I turn in the application?
Please submit your application online. You will also need to complete the AZPOST Statement of Personal History online. Please follow these directions regarding the AZPOST Statement of Personal History submission.
What if I've taken the test before and failed?
You will not be allowed to take the exam multiple times in one testing process. Should you fail the exam, you will be able to retest in 90 days.
Are there any age limits in order to become an officer?
You must be at 21 years old by the time you graduate from the Academy. There are no maximum age limits.
When do I take the physical fitness test?
Recruit applicants will receive a notice after meeting the minimum application standard to sign up for a scheduled physical fitness test (PT) day. Lateral applicants will take the PT test at the same time as the recruit applicants.
Do out-of-area lateral officers take a written test?
No they do not.
What is an out-of-area lateral police officer?
To be considered an out-of-area lateral police applicant, you must currently be employed as a police officer, or have been actively working two of the past three years: or have (1) served solely as Tribal officers and have not been certified by another state, or (2) Federal officers who have served solely in agencies with limited or specialty enforcement missions. If you have any questions as to whether you qualify as an out-of-area lateral officer, email GPDRecruiting@gilbertaz.gov.
What is a lateral police officer?
To be considered a lateral police officer, you must currently be Arizona POST certified and have worked at least 2080 hours (1-year full-time) post Academy for an Arizona law enforcement agency. If you have any questions as to whether you qualify as a lateral officer, email GPDRecruiting@gilbertaz.gov
How will I know if I pass the written test?
The National Testing Network will notify you immediately if you pass the test. Valid scores are good for 1 year.
How long does the written test take?
Please allow for approximately two hours to complete the written test. The test is a multiple choice examination not directly related to knowledge of law enforcement. There are no study guides for the written test.
How long is the police academy?
The Gilbert Police Regional Academy is approximately 22 weeks long.
