If you’re between the ages of 14 and 20 and you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer, the Glendale Police Explorer Program may be for you. The volunteer program teaches the “ins and outs” of real police work as Explorers discover career opportunities in law enforcement.

As an Explorer you’re eligible to earn community service hours while also potentially taking part in “Ride Alongs” with police officers, Explorer competitions, and more.

Start on your journey toward becoming a leader. Complete this application to be considered for the Glendale Police Explorer Program. Prospective Explorers should meet the following requirements to be considered for the Explorer Program:

• Have good moral character

• A desire to learn about law enforcement operations

• Be enrolled in school and maintain a GPA of at least 2.0

Selected Explorers must complete a mandatory 18-week introduction.

If you have any questions about applying or the Explorer Program, contact the Glendale Police Department Community, Outreach, Engagement, and Resources (CORE) Bureau at 818-548-4015.

If you're a full-time college student looking to successfully pursue a career in law enforcement upon graduation, then the Glendale Police Department's Cadet Program is for you.

As a Glendale Police Cadet, you will be challenged by a variety of responsibilities that will provide you with essential skills and knowledge for a full-time position in law enforcement.

Responsibilities may include assisting professional staff throughout the police station, including at the public counter, radio communications center, jail and more. Cadets may also assist with providing customer service to the public, evidence and inventory control, conducting interviews, serving subpoenas, taking police reports, traffic control and parking enforcement, and general office duties.

To join the Glendale Police Cadet program, the following must be true about you at the time of your appointment:

• 18 years of age

• You have a high school diploma or high school-equivalent diploma for passing your GED or CHSPE exam 

• You must be of good moral character, without a history of involvement in criminal activity or other unacceptable conduct, and without felony convictions

• You must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and carry nine semester units or eight quarter units with a GPA of at least 2.0

• You must be in good physical condition

The Police Cadet selection process includes the following:

• Written examination

• Oral interview

• Extensive background investigation, including polygraph examination

• Interview with the Chief of Police

• Medical Examination

The Glendale Police Department maintains is one of the top law enforcement agencies in California actively seeks qualified individuals that have the skills, desire, and commitment to serve the community. 

Apply here to be considered for the Glendale Police Cadet Program. If you have any questions about applying or the Cadet Program, contact the Glendale Police Department Professional Standards Bureau at JoinGPD@GlendaleCA.gov or 818-548-3117.

The Glendale Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for its Reserve Officer Program. A Reserve Police Officer is a citizen volunteer who devotes his or her valuable time and effort towards creating a safer community. 

Becoming a Reserve Police Officer is a fulfilling way of serving your community while becoming a part of the exciting world of law enforcement. Reserve Police Officers wear the same uniform and badge that full-time police officers wear. On a part-time basis, they perform many of the same duties and functions that a full-time officer does.

Founded in 1967, the Reserve Police Officer Program provides the community with an auxiliary unit of trained, competent police officers. These officers supplement our regular personnel and can be used in the event of an emergency when additional support is critical.

Community involvement and, most of all, support are two vital elements in the operation of any law enforcement agency. A successful Reserve Police Officer Program, being made up of citizen volunteers from within the community, stands as a symbol of the Glendale Police Department's commitment to partnership and teamwork in combating crime.

To be considered for appointment as a Glendale Reserve Police Officer, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

As shown by our minimum requirements, the Glendale Police Department maintains a high standard when selecting personnel for its Reserve Officer Program. The Reserve candidate must complete a selection process which is composed of six phases - each of which is pass/fail.

1. Initial application.

2. Written examination of general skills. (Reading comprehension and spelling).

3. Physical Agility Test: (PASS/FAIL) - This Physical Agility Test includes: a 99 yard obstacle course, a 165 pound body drag, a six foot chain link fence climb, a six foot solid fence climb, and a 500 yard run.

4. Oral interview. (Questioning from a panel of 2 or 3 police officers)

5. Background Investigation: All finalists will be subjected to a comprehensive background investigation. A polygraph will be required.

6. Medical/Psychological Examinations: Candidates who successfully pass the background investigation and are conditionally offered a position will be required to successfully complete an extensive medical and psychological examination prior to appointment.

Note: Candidates must pass all phases of the testing process to be further considered.

Residence: Candidates hired into this position are required to live within a 40 mile radius of the Glendale Civic Center.

To apply for the Reserve Police Officer Program, visit JoinGPD.com or GovernmentJobs.com to complete an application. For answers to questions regarding the Reserve Forces Unit, please contact the Reserve Coordinator at 818-548-3154. The Glendale Police Department accepts applications for the position of Reserve Police Officers on a continuous basis. The testing process is ongoing.

Upon completion of the selection process, you will attend the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy. The Reserve Academy is a 20 week course of instruction designed to prepare you for the role of Reserve Police Officer. The Academy demands that the candidate devote his or her Tuesday evening, Thursday evening, and all day Sunday during this rigorous 20-week period. Although the Academy is attended on a "part-time" basis, there is nothing "part-time" about the level and intensity of the academic and physical training. The level of instruction is similar to that of the full-time police academy and demands a great deal of time and devotion from the Reserve Recruit.

Upon completion of the Academy, the new Reserve Officer will enter a 50 week training program while assigned to full-time police training officers. After successful completion of the training program the Reserve Officer is required to donate 20 hours per month to the department. Reserve Officers can work a variety of assignments within the organization, such as uniform patrol, investigations, gangs, traffic, bicycle and foot patrols. Reserve Officers are also required to attend one training meeting monthly. Reserve Officers are compensated for court appearances and may be eligible for a uniform allowance.

Our Reserve Forces Unit has achieved a high degree of professionalism and is respected statewide for its accomplishments. The program is routinely reviewed by other police agencies who have used it as a model to better their own reserve force units. Our Reserve Officers pride themselves in being more productive, more active, and better trained than many other reserve officer programs. It is definitely one of the most effective and organized programs existing within the State of California. For the community-minded man or woman who wants to accept the challenge, becoming a Reserve Police Officer is a highly rewarding means of serving the community while being a part of the Glendale Police Department family and the exciting world of law enforcement.

If you have questions about the Reserve Officer Program, contact Ofc. Ash Thomas at AThomas@GlendaleCA.gov.

Volunteers play an integral part of the success of the Glendale Police Department, providing investigative, technical, and office/clerical assistance in many different areas of support services.

Tasks performed by our volunteers are varied and extensive including:

• answering phones

• filing records

• data entry and typing documents

• providing information to visitors

• assisting in fingerprinting

• taking photographs and research

• public education and community outreach

• attending quarterly training meetings.

Applicants must be at least 55 years old, but there is no maximum age limit. All applicants must complete a standard department pre-employment application and background before they can be considered for a volunteer assignment.

Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 818-548-4818 if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.  Thank you for your interest.

The City of Glendale recognizes the vast resources of experience and skills that rest within the volunteers of our city and surrounding communities. The Glendale Police Department desires to leverage these skills to help achieve the department's mission in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The RSVP's primary purpose is to supplement and assist both the Glendale Police Department Patrol Bureau and Support Services in the effort to serve Glendale residents.

Because RSVP members are the eyes and ears of the department, as well as representatives of the City and the department, it is imperative that members maintain an image of professionalism that parallels the professionalism of our Department at all times. The volunteer’s appearance, demeanor, and performance must never be compromised while serving in the Volunteer Patrol Program.  Each member is hand-picked with the highest confidence in their capabilities.

Launched in 1995, the Students Training As Role Models (STAR) program provides long-term mentoring, nurturing and guidance to children between the ages of 9 and 14. Students enter the program upon the recommendation of a teacher or school administrator.

STAR meets weekly with program-dedicated officers and staff who mentor, support, and care for the participants. The program rewards good behavior, which is defined by the characteristics of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, citizenship and caring. The weekly itinerary also includes students, officers and staff convening to enjoy one nutritious dinner each week.

• Received academic tutoring.

• Attend life skill classes to increase self-esteem, cope with family issues, and prevent bullying, gang involvement, drug abuse and other poor life choices.

• Partake in regular outings to further enrich their education experience.

• Choose from community services options to interact with the community.

STAR includes the child’s family in the program.

To learn more about the STAR Program, contact Officer Jimmy Mercado at JiMercado@GlendaleCA.gov or Community Services Supervisor John Maghaguian at JMaghaguian@glendaleca.gov.

The Glendale Police Department Chaplain Program was established in 1979 for the purposes of providing spiritual and emotional support to all members of the Department, their families and members of the public. 

A law enforcement chaplain is a clergy person with a passionate interest in, and the specialized training for pastoral care in the world of law enforcement. This pastoral care is offered to all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion. The chaplain’s ministry provides a source of strength to our police personnel, their families, and the community, advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and danger, and offering assistance when appropriate or requested.

The duties of a police chaplain include, but not limited to, the following:

• Assisting in making notification to families of department members who have been seriously injured or killed.

• Visiting sick or injured law enforcement personnel in the hospital or home.

• Attending and participating in funerals of active or retired members of the department.

• Assisting personnel in the diffusion of a conflict or incident when requested.

• Responding to natural, accidental deaths, suicides, attempted suicides, family disturbances and any other incidences where their presence is appropriate or requested.

• Counseling Officers and other personnel with personal problems, when requested.

• Responding to major disasters such as earthquakes, bombings and similar critical incidents.

To become a Police Chaplain, an individual would need to meet the following requirements:

• All applicants must possess a valid California Driver’s license.

• Must have at least five years of successful ministry experience with a recognized church or religious denomination.

• Must be above reproach, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not be addicted to alcohol or other drugs, not contentious, and free from excessive debt.

• Must manage their household, family, and personal affairs well.

• Must have a good reputation with those outside the church.

• Must successful pass a series of interviews to determine suitability for the program.

• Must successfully complete a background investigation.

• Must possess an Ecclesiastical Endorsement - On letterhead, currently dated and signed from a denominational or congregational official attesting that you are in good standing with your denomination and that they endorse you to serve as a law enforcement chaplain.

If you would like to join our Police Chaplain Program, or need for more information, please contact Ofc. Ash Thomas at AThomas@GlendaleCA.gov.

The Glendale Police Department Community Academy is an 11-session program where participants are instructed in the many facets of law enforcement. There will be presentations by members of law enforcement, including police officers, detectives and civilian employees.

The Fall 2026 Community Academy starts Thursday, September 10, 2026 and ends Thursday, November 12, 2026. Range Day is scheduled to be held Saturday, October 24, 2026. The Community Academy is open to those who live or work in Glendale. Sessions are held Thursdays from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Selected applicants are strongly encouraged to not miss more than one of the 11 sessions. The application period opens July 2026.

During the 11-session program there will be presentations from:

This is an excellent learning opportunity for those who are interested in how the Glendale Police Department operates and how its members continue to keep the city of Glendale rated as one of the safest cities in California and in the nation. You will also learn how the police department, in partnership with the city, has committed to the residents and businesses of Glendale to provide a safe and thriving community to live, work and visit.

For more information, please contact the Community Relations Team at 818-548-4015 OR email us at GPDCRT@Glendaleca.gov.

The Citizens Academy is a one-day program designed to help the Glendale Police Department connect with our diverse community members while providing participants with a better understanding of the Department’s operations, responsibilities, and services.

The goal of the program is to provide an overview of the Department, share information about available resources, and encourage open communication between the community and our officers. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the different bureaus and specialized units within the Department, interact with department personnel, and gain insight into the day-to-day duties of officers and professional staff. The program is intended to strengthen relationships between the Department and the community through education, communication, and engagement, while helping participants better understand “why we do what we do.”

To register, please complete the application below, then submit it to our front lobby or email it to Officer Zabunyan at EZabunyan@GlendaleCA.gov.

For questions, please contact the Community Relations Team at (818) 548-4015.

This six-week class provides teens with a fun, hands-on learning experience that increases their understanding of police operations. Students will meet and hear from members of the Detective Bureau, Traffic Bureau, and other sections, include specialized units like SWAT, crisis negotiations, forensics, the K-9 program and personnel and training. All students will tour the station and participate in practical and simulator demonstrations. The experience also helps youth establish communication channels with the Glendale Police Department.

Classes are typically held on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., and are limited to 30 students. Students will earn community service hours when they participate in the Teen Academy.

To find out when the next Teen Academy will be held, apply or ask questions, please contact School Resource Officer Jimmy Mercado at (818) 946-4820 or JiMercado@GlendaleCA.gov.