Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet) at a glance
What it is: The Personal History Statement (PHS) is mandatory in accordance with Section 1002(a)(5) of the Regulations of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and is required by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).
Who signs: You must sign and date your PHS in black ink.
Where and when to file: Your package is due no later than 5 P.M.
Notary: You must have the SWORN Authorization to Release Information and Waiver form NOTARIZED before submitting your packet. The type of notarization required is called an ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
What to bring and attach to Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet)
You have been provided instructions to submit several documents (see the Documents List form). You must submit one (1) copy of each of the documents listed. Failing to do so may be cause for rejection of your packet. You will be required to show the originals later. DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINALS UNTIL DIRECTED BY A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR!
If you are missing a document, lost a document or never had one, please submit what you do have and make arrangements to obtain a duplicate of the missing document. On page 2 of the Document List form, explain the reason you are not submitting a copy of the required document and include what steps you are doing to obtain the document(s) and/or fulfill this requirement.
You will be required to send SEALED (unopened, official) transcripts from ALL COLLEGES you have attended whether or not classes were completed. Order these IMMEDIATELY but DO NOT send the transcripts until instructed by your Background Investigator. DO NOT OPEN THESE TRANSCRIPTS!
The Authorization and Request for Release of Military Records MUST be signed whether or not you were ever in the Military.
A filled-in Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet) example: Section 1 of the Personal History Statement
How to fill out Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet), box by box
Your full name and other names
Under 1. YOUR FULL NAME, enter LAST, FIRST and MIDDLE.
Under 2. OTHER NAMES YOU HAVE USED OR BEEN KNOWN BY (INCLUDE MAIDEN NAME AND NICKNAMES), write them; mark N/A if it does not apply.
Address where you live and mailing address
Under 3. ADDRESS WHERE YOU LIVE, enter NUMBER / STREET, APT / UNIT, CITY, STATE and ZIP.
Under 4. MAILING ADDRESS (FOR EXAMPLE, PO BOX), enter it if different from the address in 3. ADDRESS WHERE YOU LIVE.
Zip codes MUST be included with addresses.
Contact email and other email addresses
Enter 6. CONTACT EMAIL and 7. LIST ALL OTHER EMAIL ADDRESSES (SEPARATED BY COMMAS).
Birth place and birthdate
Enter 9. BIRTH PLACE (CITY / COUNTY / STATE / COUNTRY) and 10. BIRTHDATE (MM/DD/YYYY).
More rules for Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet)
All statements made in your PHS are subject to verification.
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from making medically related inquires prior to a conditional job offer of employment. For this reason, DO NOT provide any medically related information about you, either in person or on any form, unless a conditional job offer is made. Please use caution when responding to any question to avoid inadvertently furnishing medically related information such as receiving a Medical Retirement from a past employer. In a case such as this, you merely need to list Retired.
Failing to follow any of these instructions explicitly may result in a rejection of your packet and/or disqualification from the background process.
A complete list of all law enforcement agencies and addresses MUST be provided.
Incomplete statements, illegible responses, inaccuracies, falsifications, untruthful responses, omissions, discrepancies, or unanswered questions will be grounds for rejection, disqualification and/or termination of employment if a job offer was made.
Arrest information, drugs, employment and references
Questions regarding arrest information
Questions regarding arrest information: You must list ALL convictions and arrests. Peace Officer candidates are required to disclose all arrests even if not convicted. This includes charges dropped or dismissed, or records that were expunged or release(s) per Section 1203.4 or 1203.4(a) of the Penal Code or 1179 or 1772 of the Welfare and Institutions Code or a pardon per section 4852.16 of the Penal Code. Arrest(s) MUST be explained in detail on your PHS. You must provide dates, locations, other persons involved, the agency involved, all charges pertaining to the case and the results or penalties (if any).
Questions regarding illegal use of drugs or narcotics
Questions regarding illegal use of drugs or narcotics must be answered completely, accurately and truthfully. Read the question carefully before responding. Any experimentation or use, including tasting or pretending to use any illegal drug or narcotic, must be listed. If exact dates are unknown, approximate month and year must be listed. You will be disqualified for falsifying your statement if you are not honest regarding all of your illegal drug use. This includes illegal use of prescription drugs.
Employment
Under Employment you must list ALL employment for the last twenty (20) years. Addresses must be complete and accurate. ZIP CODES and EMAIL ADDRESSES are REQUIRED! You must verify the email addresses, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of each employer before submitting your packet. Failure to provide email addresses and/or accurate and complete addresses, including zip codes may be cause for rejection of your packet.
If the employer is no longer in business and you cannot provide the last known address, then list the city and state where the business was located during your employment, with a notation No longer in Business. If the business has moved, list the new address with a notation Moved.
References, Relatives, Acquaintances
Under References, Relatives, Acquaintances you must list EMAIL ADDRESSES and complete and accurate physical addresses. ZIP CODES are REQUIRED!
References, email addresses and reference addresses MUST be listed and verified.
Before you go
Applicants MUST TYPE their personal information on the Personal History Statement. When completed print a copy of the entire document (one sided) and place in the white envelope with all the other forms and documents. Submit the envelope to your background investigator.
All information must be legible and typed. You must return all forms, including the PHS.
If a question does not apply to you, write N/A (not applicable) in the space provided for your response. If you need more space for any response, use the supplemental information page on the last page of this form (page 33) and identify the additional information by the question number.
All questions must be answered completely, accurately and truthfully. Vague, ambiguous or obscured answers shall not be acceptable. All time periods in your background must be accounted for in all areas requiring dates and time periods.
Common questions about Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet)
Does it need a notary?
DO NOT sign the waiver form until you meet with a notary. The notary MUST witness your signature. A valid I.D. card will be required to notarize both forms.
Who signs it?
You must sign and date your PHS in black ink.
Is there a deadline?
Your package is due no later than 5 P.M.
Where do I file it?
Send completed packages to San Diego Police Department ATTN: Backgrounds Unit 1401 Broadway, MS 768 San Diego, CA 92101. Hand delivering your completed packet is the preferred method. However, if you are unable to do so, mail it in using UPS or Fed-Ex with delivery confirmation and/or signature required. Do NOT use the U.S. Postal Service as they do not deliver mail to our building.
What am I certifying when I sign?
By signing you certify that you have personally completed and initialed each page of this form and any attached supplemental page(s), and that all statements made are true and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. Any misstatement of material fact may subject you to disqualification; or, if you have been appointed, may disqualify you from continued employment.
Where to get help with Personal History Statement (San Diego Police Department background packet)
If you have any changes to your packet AFTER you have submitted it, PLEASE DO NOT CALL. Due to the confidential nature of your packet ALL changes must be in writing and have your ORIGINAL signature. Please include your full name, social security number, the date of any changes, a description of the changes and an explanation, if applicable.
The San Diego Police Department will attempt to screen your packet within thirty (30) days. If you are not going to be considered for the position, you will be notified by mail.
Sources
[1] Personal History Statement, POST 2-251 (Rev 1/2024), in the San Diego Police Department background packet (the Official source link on this page).