Some 1,800 applicants took the written exam Wednesday at the convention center. There are about 60 open positions.
Starting salaries for officers in Oakland are among the highest in the state. That's a big reason many are willing to ignore the city's escalating crime rate to apply.
"I can fend for myself, and it's not every day that someone is going to die," said applicant Justin Baugher. "I mean, you've got to play life well, I guess."
"The types of activities that occur on the streets on a daily basis gives our officers an opportunity to gain a lot of experience in a short period of time," said Ofc. Sylvian Brewster.
Oakland will hold its police academy this summer -- the first in four years.
