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Deputy Chief

Joshua Patzer

Biography

On February 21, 2023, Joshua Patzer was sworn in by Chief Ed Alvarez as the new Deputy Police Chief. Chief Alvarez appointed Joshua Patzer as the Deputy Chief of the Personnel and Training Bureau.  Before his appointment, Joshua served over 22 years with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff. Joshua began his law enforcement career in 2000 by attending the Los Medanos Police Academy. He worked in various assignments, including Custody Services, Court Security, Transportation, Civil / Warrant Services Unit, Office of Emergency Services, County Patrol, SWAT, Mutual Aid Mobile Field Force, Honor Guard, and Investigations. He is a certified Academy Instructor. He has taught Firearms, riot, crowd control, Mutual Aid Mobile Field Force Operations, and Use of Force Simulators.  Joshua was honorably discharged as a Sergeant / E-5 from the United States Marine Corps. in 1998.  Joshua has a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Union Institute and University. He has attended the Sherman Block Leadership Institute, the POST Command College, and the POST Executive Leadership course. He was the Managers’ Representative on the Deputy Sheriffs Association Board of Directors. He has his Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisors, and Management POST Certification.  Joshua enjoys time with his family, camping, traveling, and boating when he is not at work.

  

Frequently asked Questions

California State Minimum Selection Standards (Per P.O.S.T)

  • The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:
  • Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029) 
  • Be legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law.
  • At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)
  • Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record
  • Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation
  • high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution
  • Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer
Candidates need to be 20 to apply and attend the academy 21 at the time of swearing in
  • Three (3) or more moving violations within three (3) years prior to the date application
  • Involvement as a driver in two or more chargeable (at fault) collisions within three (3) years to date of application 
  • Integrity: Any material misstatement of fact during any stage of the hiring process
  • Any prior felony conviction
  • Any misdemeanor conviction within three (3) years prior to the date of application 
  • Two (2) or more misdemeanor convictions as an adult 
  • Use of a hallucinogenic drug within 7 years of application
  • Use of any other illegal drug use as an adult not mentioned above within 3 years of application 
  • Having any outstanding warrant of arrest at time of application 
  • Admission(s) of any act of domestic violence
  • Admission(s) of any criminal act against children

Note: The hiring and background requirements are quite stringent. This is not an all-inclusive list of disqualifying factors, (see BPD Policy 1000 v.2/2/17).

  • Application
  • Written test
  • Physical Agility test
  • Oral board interview
  • Background Investigation (including polygraph) 
  • Chief’s Interview
  • Conditional Job Offer (From Human Resources)
  • Medical exam
  • Psychological exam (Police Officers and Police Dispatchers only)
  • Final Job Offer (From Human Resources)
  • Do an online search for “POST Pellet B practice test”
  • Research the department online
  • Do a ride-a-long (call 510-464-7681 to set up after application has been submitted)
  • Research oral board sample questions online
  • The process takes approximately 3-6 months

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