Thinking of joining the LAPD....

[Apetro]

Hey everyone, as you can see in my title i'm thinking of joining the LAPD. I've been doing my research on the process and so far I like what i'm seeing. I am an out of state canidate (qualify for expidited testing!), however my biggest question is where can I live during the academy? Is it a realistic getting a 1BR/Studio Apartment on cadet pay? What areas would you recommend?

[pulicords]

If you get hired, there's plenty of less expensive apartments available in the suburbs in and around the City of Los Angeles. The San Fernando Valley, to name just one area. The tough thing is to get hired. With the financial situation getting worse every day, LAPD and other (better paying) local agencies can be more and more selective.

[Berlioz]

Hey everyone, as you can see in my title i'm thinking of joining the LAPD. I've been doing my research on the process and so far I like what i'm seeing. I am an out of state canidate (qualify for expidited testing!), however my biggest question is where can I live during the academy? Is it a realistic getting a 1BR/Studio Apartment on cadet pay? What areas would you recommend?

Hey Apetro, you can live anywhere you want. I lived an hour each way from the academy and survived without a problem. Cadet/recruit pay is full pay for a step 1 PO1 so, yes, you can easily afford a studio/1BR.

[EricDel]

Do you think LAPD is going to have a hiring freeze anytime soon?

[Berlioz]

I dont think so. But a lot of small agencies are so that means a lot of their applicants will be looking over to LAPD.

[archercapt32]

Berlioz how are you liking the LAPD so far? Is it what you expected?

[Berlioz]

Berlioz how are you liking the LAPD so far? Is it what you expected?

Love it. Until now, I haven't really had a job where I wake up and think "Damn, Im really excited to be working today." Usually its the opposite with me pondering different ways to bang in sick.

I would have to say its far exceeded my expectations. Especially with being on this website, you learn that police work is not all about chasing the bad guys and what you see on TV so it gives you get a more realistic view on what you do as an officer. I did my probation in South Los Angeles and the action there is beyond what I anticipated even coming out the academy...and I love it. I now work in a more posh part of the city and its completely different type of work but I still love coming in everyday. Its a great dept with a lot to offer. Good luck.

[LA Copper]

Hey everyone, as you can see in my title i'm thinking of joining the LAPD. I've been doing my research on the process and so far I like what i'm seeing. I am an out of state canidate (qualify for expidited testing!), however my biggest question is where can I live during the academy? Is it a realistic getting a 1BR/Studio Apartment on cadet pay? What areas would you recommend?


Apetro,
I would highly recommend the City of Burbank. It's centrally located to all three academies, it's a clean city with little crime and lots to do. Rent is a little high if you stay near the movie and TV studios but you should be able to do it. I lived there for almost 15 years until I moved out a few years ago.

Berlioz is right, you should have no problem affording an apartment on your academy / probation salary. You might even meet someone in your academy class who you may want to room with.

I did the expedited process many years ago and I too am from Boston. There are a lot of us Bostonians on the LAPD. Are you from Boston proper or a suburb.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

[archercapt32]

Berlioz thanks for the info. Expedited testing process starts for me next week...

[Stugotz]

Do you think LAPD is going to have a hiring freeze anytime soon?

Not likely. The Mayor is still trying to fulfill his campaign pledge to reach 10,000 sworn.

As for the other big dogs in "Tan and Green"... yeh it's looking like it. :mad:

[EricDel]

Good news for me then! I plan on coming out in Dec or Jan to go through the expedited process. Hopefully be in an academy sometime between April-June. Quick question, after you are done your FTO do you automatically get sent to another precinct? Also do you have any say picking a precinct?

[Kieth M.]

Quick question, after you are done your FTO do you automatically get sent to another precinct? Also do you have any say picking a precinct?

Yes, after FTO, you can expect to "hit the wheel" as we call it. They will ask you for your (in order of preferance) three choices of places you want to go. Most get their choices, some never do (like me, when I made sergeant).

[archercapt32]

How do transfers work in the LAPD? Do you bid on openings by seniority for certain divisions or do you simply request a transfer and then the LAPD sends you where ever they see fit?

[Kieth M.]

How do transfers work in the LAPD? Do you bid on openings by seniority for certain divisions or do you simply request a transfer and then the LAPD sends you where ever they see fit?

That "where they see fit", usually happens while you're on the wheel, having finished FTO, etc. Just because unwanted transfers CAN happen, they are the exception and not the rule.

Promotional transfers - If you're a P-II and want a P-III (FTO, Vice spot) you apply for the advances paygrade position. It's handled differently than a lateral transfer.

Lateral transfers - If you work as a P-II/P-III in (fill in the name of the worst division in LAPD, one that's south and west of downtown:rolleyes:) and you want to go to Hollywood, keeping your same rank, you fill out a transfer request form. Your name goes on the list of people waiting to get in, in order of application submission. If you fill out multiple transfers, when you get to the first place, they pull your request to go anywhere else. You "lose your place" in the "other" line.

Places like Hollenbeck or Rampart usually had waiting lists of 40+ to get in. Places like (fill in the name of the worst division in LAPD, one that's south and west of downtown) usually had zero to less of people waiting to go there.

There is a little practice called the "admin-transfer" it can be initiated by the employee or the C/O of a division. They are a delicate matter, employee initiated when the employee has some trouble, is not getting along, etc. C/O initiated admin transfers happen, essentially, when they (supervisors and captain) have gooten together, figured out the employee is a problem child and needs to go somewhere else to start their police life with a new perspective. There is usually payback, where the division accepting the admin transfer gets to export one of their problem children as well.

[LA Copper]

How do transfers work in the LAPD? Do you bid on openings by seniority for certain divisions or do you simply request a transfer and then the LAPD sends you where ever they see fit?


Once you're off probation you're automatically put on "the wheel" as Kieth mentioned. After you spend about a year in your new division (we don't call them precincts out here), you are able to put in a transfer request. At that point you are put on a waiting list with everyone else who wants to go to that division. It doesn't matter how much seniority you have, the list is basically a first come first serve. You can transfer anytime you want for the rest of your career.

[ChRdy21799]

How is it decided where a new boot will go after Graduation? Are there certain Divisions where they train more new Officers, or is it based upon the availability of FTO's?


Thanks Keith M and LA Copper, you've provided a lot of great information in this thread!

[bigcitypolice06]

They try to send you to a division near where you live for probation....but you can put in a wish list of 3 divisions you'd like to go to.
I never got any of them out of the academy so I figured I'd get them off probation. I didn't but thats what transfers are for. Only 2 people in my class got to go where they wanted after probation (one was related to someone with alot of juice and the other was that person's significant other), and the same went for the classes that finished before and after us. I was talking to a couple guys just off the wheel now and they were saying half their class went to traffic divisions and the other half went to southwest. so who knows what their doing these days. You are just a small piece in the big LAPD machine and they will plug you in where they need you.

[bigcitypolice06]

oh and you only have to wait 6 months to put the transfer in!!!! Then you go on your waiting list. It goes fast and even if you end up somewhere you don't want to be like say... collision investigation. it still isn't bad. 3-12's is awesome and your getting paid.

[no1099'shere]

I'm wondering about the FTO training for LAPD..... is it tough? Heard different people say how its really laid back, not as hard as other departments it's size, and then I heard its really tough, doesn't take much to get you knocked out and having to restart FTO

For the guys in LAPD, whats your thoughts on the FTO program?

[Kieth M.]

Out of 19 patrol divisions, FTO programs may vary as to "attitude." There may be some laid back and some very hard corps (verging on a hazing environment). It may also vary by individual FTO. Some guys/girls treat the P-1 as a student and teach them. Some act like a D.I. and think they should already know all they need. Your mileage may...in fact it will....vary.

[Jrdeputy]

Newton is known for having the toughest FTO program :rolleyes:

[LA Copper]

As Kieth said, it somewhat varies from division to division and FTO to FTO.

If you work in South Los Angeles, the vast majority of the FTOs are serious because it's pretty dangerous there. The Valley has a reputation for being more laid back, although laid back here is still tough for other areas. I'm from New England and can compare the two. LAPD's FTO program is much tougher.

You're on probation for a year once you graduate the academy. You are rated daily for the first six months and then monthly for the remaining six. You need to know you are a probationer who doesn't know a lot because LA City and County are dangerous places to work.

It's not something you can take lightly. Being a probationer is a learning experience that could save your life and that of your partner. (This same philosophy would apply to any department in the country.)

[LA Copper]

Newton is known for having the toughest FTO program :rolleyes:


The "FTO program" is the same Citywide. It's the FTOs themselves that make it tougher.

[no1099'shere]

Good Answers!
Thank You!

[EricDel]

Great info!

[TWH]

The people that I've personally talked to that are LAPD love their job. They seem to be overall satisfied with their job. I plan on applying to LAPD myself pretty soon. I always, always, ignore whatever friends, media, and non-LEOs says about various departments that I'm interested in.

I went on a ride-a-long with my neighbor who works in the south east division. I was pretty impressed. His guys know exactly what they're doing and do it very well. They were squared away.

LAPD is good choice in my book.

[Apetro]

I'm from Methuen, it's about 30 minutes outside of Boston (near the NH border). I put in for a small police department near where I live. With any luck I get the job. All though the prospect of warm weather keeps creeping up on me...

[DOAcop38]

I dont think so. But a lot of small agencies are so that means a lot of their applicants will be looking over to LAPD.

sad huh???? the " well I chose the city of L.A. cause "po dunky pd X" wasn't hiring syndrome( an you should see the LUMPS that come over to apply at LAX 'cause they don't want to do real police work, but want that $60K to $90K/yr pay check :rolleyes:) would rather do without them........

[Kieth M.]

LAPD is good choice in my book.

I'm probably LAPD's most bitter former employee, and I still agree with that post.;)

[archercapt32]

Kieth M. most bitter former employee huh?? What do you feel are some of the negative aspects of working for the LAPD that other big city departments dont have?

[Kieth M.]

Try this thread: http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88086&highlight=snitched

Post #23. And that's just one of my half-dozen reasons.

[ChRdy21799]

Try this thread: http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88086&highlight=snitched

Post #23. And that's just one of my half-dozen reasons.


Interesting stuff Keith M. Did it seem like there was less politics involved when trying to promote within the field sector (Patrol, DUI, Traffic, etc) verses the Administrative areas?

[Kieth M.]

Police politics are everywhere.

[bigcitypolice06]

Its a good department. As for the FTO's my first one was super tough. getting out of the car and running along side for not knowing a street name (MY FIRST NIGHT!!!!! but it never happened again. He also was big on tradition, long sleeves front row all that. I had another FTO who was a kick-back as they come. Its an interesting program but because you change FTO's every 2 Deployment periods you get a good variety...

[DOAcop38]

Try this thread: http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88086&highlight=snitched

Post #23. And that's just one of my half-dozen reasons.

...and you forgot the mind numbimg STUPIDITY of the mediocre that ,for some perverse reason, crave promotion to positions that are beyond their capacities ??? the same people that made your job harder and beat any semblance of good work ethic out of other employees? Naw-LAPD doesn't have the market on that one- its spread around the rest of the city depts evenly......

[JerzeyCop609]

To all LAPD guys:

This post was really an interesting, informative read.

Being that I am a Lateral Transfer is my FTO going to disregard my 10 years prior LE service and still bust my balls? (I currently hold rank of Detective working Narcotics/Gangs and am active member of SWAT ,certified in Hazerdous Entry, Combat SHotgun, Sub-Machine Gun, Self Defense Tactics, PR24 and Asp Baton. I also served as a FTO for 2 years prior to getting my Det Shield. Before FTO I did 2 years as a Motorcycle Cop in Traffic/METRO Div. and did 1 year on Bicycle Patrol Unit)

Not bragging just giving background on my experience.

I dont mind as I respect the fact that I am going to be coming into a new department and need to learn LAPD's way of policing and procedeures but to be honest I dont think I could remain silent and humble if I was told to run outside the police car for not knowing a street name as stated above.

I expect to have my balls busted a little but to be treated like a wet behind the ears FNG does not sit well with me. Im assuming it depends on my FTO.

Perhaps you guys could shed some light on this for me.

Thanx.

:)

[Berlioz]

Maybe. It depends on the division. Some divisions treat P1s like P1s and others let them get salty as hell. Just go in there and listen to what your FTO tells you. You are gonna have to learn the LAPD way of doing things and that ranges from tactics all the way to admin duties. Just be humble, whatever you do. Until you promote to P-2 status (passing probation) I would just concentrate on proving that you can be a competent partner and police officer. Humility goes a long way. Your primary FTOs dont want to hear about your previous assignements and how you did things. If they ask, great but save that for future orals and promotions. Just play the game...you should know what that means.

[LA Copper]

I work in one of the busier divisions in the city; we've had several laterals and each was treated like a fellow officer, not a brand new boot who has never done police work before. However, like Berlioz said, it will depend on the TO.

That being said, you do need to remember that the east coast way of doing things is a "bit" different than the way we do things. I'm an east coast guy myself and can tell you first hand that we do things VERY differently out here.

And since you are already a 10-year veteran, you will be expected to know more than a brand new boot without any experience. You mentioned about running outside the car if you don't know what street you're on.... that's actually a good example of something you, better than a new boot should know about, always knowing where you are in case the poop unexpectedly hits the fan.

You'll like it here, it's a good job. Just keep an open mind and learn what the guys teach you.. you'll be fine. Plus the weather is much better!

[JerzeyCop609]

Thanks guys. See you soon.