Lapd?

[Ninja1234]

What does their hiring situation look like with the goofy economic situation? I was thinking of making the drive up and doing their 3 day testing since I live more than 150 miles. I have a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice.

[Ninja1234]

And sorry about the title. I meant to say LAPD, but my shift button is broken.

[Kieth M.]

IMO, it matters not what the doom and gloom sayers predict about the economy. The fact is, that L.A. wants/needs police officers. The DROP program has been around five years, now, so many people who placed a hold on their retirement are mandated to retire. Poilce work is almost a recession/depression-proof business.

And, for the sake of argument, if they only hire 100 cops, next year, might you not kick yourself for not making the trip and testing the waters; if you had not tried?

Edited to add: The real problem with an economic downturn situation is that candidates, who are suddenly out of their corporate 'dream jobs' or their high-dollar contracting jobs, are now in line with you. Many will have highly desirable skills/degrees in their backgrounds. So perhaps you should get in line, now, before they start doing so.

[Kieth M.]

And sorry about the title. I meant to say LAPD, but my shift button is broken.

It's not your shift button. This forum won't accommadate all caps in a thread title....unless you add periods: L.A.P.D.

[bigcitypolice06]

Still hiring...the mayor and chief have yet to have reached the 10,000 mark...

[Ninja1234]

Thanks guys. I need to make that trip soon

[ChRdy21799]

Ninja,

I did the Expedited Testing in early July. My BI said my file will be finished next week. They move pretty fast. It's definitley worth it.

[EricDel]

Chrdy what academy class are you probably going to put in? Dec?

Just seeing roughly the amount of time it takes from the expedited testing to the academy start date.

Also how many officers does LAPD currently have?

[ChRdy21799]

Chrdy what academy class are you probably going to put in? Dec?


PM sent.

[LA Copper]

Chrdy what academy class are you probably going to put in? Dec?

Just seeing roughly the amount of time it takes from the expedited testing to the academy start date.

Also how many officers does LAPD currently have?

Check out LAPD's website, it should answer many of your questions.

lapdonline.org

and lapd.com

[scoobs]

With COL so high, even though its gotten better where do most people live?

[LA DEP]

With COL so high, even though its gotten better where do most people live?

With the housing prices in a death spiral right now, you can afford a house in many of the nicer suburbs.......the catch is having the 20% down payment......

I lived for 8 years in a couple of 'nicer' areas of LA city.....will NEVER live in the city again as long as I live.....

[bigcitypolice06]

Most people live out of the city. After you see how the city runs you will understand why. There are alot of affordable areas to live that are not far from the city, and they do a pretty good job of keeping you kinda close to your home for probation.

[EricDel]

With the housing prices in a death spiral right now, you can afford a house in many of the nicer suburbs.......the catch is having the 20% down payment......

I lived for 8 years in a couple of 'nicer' areas of LA city.....will NEVER live in the city again as long as I live.....

What are some of your reasons why? Just wondering because I have been apartment searching in the city and around it.

[LA DEP]

Because most of the areas in the city are crappy to say the least.......and even if you find a somewhat 'nice' area of the city, you are still within 5-10 minutes driving distance of the knuckleheads......

also, LA City has some of the highest and most ridiculous taxes, never mind gun laws, in the area,.......for those reasons (and many others) they will never again see one DIME of my tax money if I can help it......

[IrishLacrosse]

Apply if that's where you want to be. All departments are going through rough times financially, so don't let that deter you. Police are a necessity so I can't imagine departments closing testing periods for too long.

[pulicords]

+1 about living in Los Angeles! Maybe the individual officers are alright, but the city itself refuses to properly fund the department for sufficient numbers of officers, support personnel and up to date equipment. I moved out of the city shortly after hearing shots fired from the parking lot next door to my apartment complex. Calling "911" and being placed on hold for nearly ten minutes without speaking to an operator was enough.

Most of the Los Angeles City Council members are only giving lip service to public safety and their unlawful attempts to subvert the 2nd Amendment (and their own citizens' desire to protect themselves) are appalling.

[lapd4me]

Last I heard there are about 9,700 officers and it's a constant battle to increase that number. LAPD loses something like 300-500 officers a year to retirement, transfers, etc. and currently hires around 700 a year.

If you're interested start the application process. You can always quit if it isn't for you. The department isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is what you make of it.

As for housing, I think most officers live outside of the city, as others have mentioned, but you can live comfortably within the city as well. Several of my classmates, including myself, have fellow officers as roommates and live within the city limits.

Best of luck to you.

[archercapt32]

LAPD4me how are you enjoying the job so far?

[lapd4me]

I'm having the time of my life. Check back with me after I've been doused with OC from a fellow officer trying to spray an uncooperative susp and we'll see if my answer changes, haha, but so far so good.

[JSL0506]

Do you still have to go through the LAPD Academy if you have an academy under your belt already? I took the pocket test at Chino yesterday. Quite a small turnout.I'd like to pursue Port and LAPD. What's the deal with the 5 year committment thing?

[archercapt32]

I could be wrong, but its my understanding that if you are hired by the LAPD you cannot leave and go to another department until you have stayed at the LAPD for 5 years. I also believe that if you decide to quit the LAPD for whatever reason, you cannot get hired at another law enforcement agency for one year, unless you want to pay back your training costs. LAPD subtracts $1,000 from the $60,000 for every month you stay.

Now if you want to pay back the $60,000 or whatever amount you owe then your free to join any other department.

[JSL0506]

What are some of the best assignments for LAPD?

[LA DEP]

I could be wrong, but its my understanding that if you are hired by the LAPD you cannot leave and go to another department until you have stayed at the LAPD for 5 years. I also believe that if you decide to quit the LAPD for whatever reason, you cannot get hired at another law enforcement agency for one year, unless you want to pay back your training costs. LAPD subtracts $1,000 from the $60,000 for every month you stay.

Now if you want to pay back the $60,000 or whatever amount you owe then your free to join any other department.

I THINK they got sued over that and lost......could be wrong though.....

My agency was considering the same deal, and then changed their minds pretty quickly......not sure of the exact reason

[Kieth M.]

Do you still have to go through the LAPD Academy if you have an academy under your belt already?

I can't recall them offering/running a lateral academy in many years...as always, you can check the recruitment info at: www.lapdonline.org.

[Berlioz]

There is a lateral type of academy, I just don't know where they draw the line when it comes to them. Since LAPD has no true lateral program, they call laterals "Police Specialists" who then attend the abbreviated academy. Lats also have a shorter FTO/Phase-2 period (4 months as opposed to 6) and they don't wheel from their division once probation is over.

[LA Copper]

What are some of the best assignments for LAPD?


That depends on what you're looking for. Some people love being a detective but for me, it's boring so this kind of thing is open to intepretation.

[LA Copper]

Do you still have to go through the LAPD Academy if you have an academy under your belt already? I took the pocket test at Chino yesterday. Quite a small turnout.I'd like to pursue Port and LAPD. What's the deal with the 5 year committment thing?

It would depend on what academy you attended. At the very least you would have to attend the lateral academy, which is two or three months. This to acclimate you to the LAPD way of doing things such as tactics, policies and procedures.

[archercapt32]

I think being a pilot for the LAPD would be an awesome assignment. I have heard that being in the motorcycle unit can be pretty fun as well...I guess the good thing about the LAPD is that with 250 assignments Im sure there is something for everyone.

[Ricky_G]

I did my ride along with the Air Support Unit and that seems like it a great assignment and once you're in, you can stay there until you retire!!! Actually, I believe you can stay at most assignments for years & years without having to switch unless you are an Undercover Narcotics... Please don't quote me on this...

[scoobs]

What places would you consider in LA and surrounding areas you would want to live?

[ChRdy21799]

I did my ride along with the Air Support Unit and that seems like it a great assignment and once you're in, you can stay there until you retire!!!


What did you do with the Air Support Unit? I don't think you went up in the Chopper right? :eek:

Is it just ground units that communicate with Air?

Just curious.

[LA DEP]

What places would you consider in LA and surrounding areas you would want to live?

NOWHERE within the city limits of LA.....

Surrounding area: Santa Clarita Valley; Simi Valley, some areas of Burbank and Glendale.....lots of areas out east, and in OC

[Berlioz]

What did you do with the Air Support Unit? I don't think you went up in the Chopper right? :eek:

Is it just ground units that communicate with Air?

Just curious.

I rode in the chopper...awesome experience!

The units on the ground are patrol units...

[Berlioz]

What places would you consider in LA and surrounding areas you would want to live?

That really depends if you want to rent or buy...

[ChRdy21799]

I rode in the chopper...awesome experience!


As a civilian on a "ride-along" ?

[Kieth M.]

As a civilian on a "ride-along" ?

Civilian ride-alongs are very rare - if non-existent. Berlioz is an LAPD officer. As was I, when I rode-along. Sometimes, visiting L.E. members can also ride-along at ASD.

[ChRdy21799]

Civilian ride-alongs are very rare - if non-existent. Berlioz is an LAPD officer. As was I, when I rode-along. Sometimes, visiting L.E. members can also ride-along at ASD.

Yeah I figured as an Officer you are able to ride-along in the Chopper. But someone on here said they did a ride-along with the Air Support Division and are in the hiring process....so I didn't know what the meant.

Thanks.

[Ricky_G]

What did you do with the Air Support Unit? I don't think you went up in the Chopper right? :eek:

Is it just ground units that communicate with Air?

Just curious.

Yeah I did my ride along in the chopper.. It was a great experience and from what I hear also very lucky. I am grateful for that opportunity, it looks and sounds like a great assignment from the back seat. Both the Pilot & Spotter gave me some great feed back on their positions!!! Any questions let me know!

[ChRdy21799]

Yeah I did my ride along in the chopper.. It was a great experience and from what I hear also very lucky. I am grateful for that opportunity, it looks and sounds like a great assignment from the back seat. Both the Pilot & Spotter gave me some great feed back on their positions!!! Any questions let me know!


That's awesome Ricky G!

[Showboat]

Yeah I did my ride along in the chopper.. It was a great experience and from what I hear also very lucky. I am grateful for that opportunity, it looks and sounds like a great assignment from the back seat. Both the Pilot & Spotter gave me some great feed back on their positions!!! Any questions let me know!

I got one...how'd you get a ride-a-long with ASD?:D

[Ricky_G]

are you serious...:eek:

[archercapt32]

Does anyone know how promotions work in the Air Support Division? Lets say you are a PIII and you are a pilot flying for ASD and you take the Sgts exam, if you get promoted are you then out of the unit or do you get continue flying? Do you get a chance to come back after a certain time period, since you have all that training?

[Kieth M.]

They're not "P-III" pilots. They are a "PO II+6" pilots, meaning they're a PO II who makes basic lieutenant pay with the pilot bonus.

Promotional opportunities do not occur with enough regularity for a PO pilot, to become a Sgt. pilot.

They usually have to leave, be a sergeant in the field....usually they have enough time to go to another special assignment after their Sgt. probation....then later try for the ASD Sgt. spot. Some never make it back, and they compete with me for the title of, "the Department's most bitter former employee."

There are some very big egos at LAPD...then give them an advanced position and guess what, there's a super-concentration of egos competing for titles like chief pilot, master of the universe, etc. The same head games, politics, and backstabbing go on.....just at higher paygrades.

[Berlioz]

I would imagine that it would be kind of tough to go from POII+6 to SGT...

[bigcitypolice06]

Ya who would want to give up a spot flying making LT pay to go around and take complaints....

[bigcitypolice06]

Oh in regards to latterals one of my partners did it. He was LASD and got tired of the jails, but because he had no field experience he had to do all 18 months of probation.

[ShangDoh]

I am pleasantly surprised by the LAPD's hiring process, after hearing a bunch of horror stories from other candidates and even former officers, I was expecting the worst. But I'm moving steadily along the process. Barring any unforseen background issues or actually failing one part of the process, the change of pace is refreshing to say the least.

[pulicords]

Oh in regards to latterals one of my partners did it. He was LASD and got tired of the jails, but because he had no field experience he had to do all 18 months of probation.

I was talking with an LASD deputy last week and he went to Santa Clarita Station after only 18 months on the job! Depending on the station, you can get out of custody pretty fast these days.

[HockeyFan87]

Without hijacking this thread...Can anyone explain to me the process of getting selected as a canine officer with LAPD? Obviously you would need to be in the Metro platoon but aside from that how much seniority do you need to get into the unit? I would also be interested in hearing how long the assignement lasts as well as if you get a take home car and any sort of "special schedule"?

Thanks.

[bigcitypolice06]

the K-9 (search dogs) guys work metro so you your looking at 5+ years with good citywide experience and you should already be a P-3, and most of them have been in Metro for a while.

The dope and bomb dogs from what I understand its the same type of deal P-3 with lots of experience and connections. Most of the guys I've talked to work a 4-10 schedule with a take home ride and they are subject to call outs. As for length of assignments I'm pretty sure its indefinite.

[EricDel]

Do you take a test to become a P2 and P3 officer?

[LA Copper]

Do you take a test to become a P2 and P3 officer?

You automatically become a P-2 when you're off probation.

If you have five years on the job, you don't have to take a written test, however, if you want to try for a P-3 spot, you have to take an oral interview and compete with others who are trying for the same position.

[EricDel]

When can you start taking the written test to become a P3? Also would you say it is really that difficult to move up, and when you say P-3 spots will certain divisions have openings and you can try and transfer and get the position there? Thanks LA Copper!

[bigcitypolice06]

You have to have 5 years on to interview for P3 there is no more written test. As for moving up it all depends what you want out of life and what you set your sights on. You can oral for P3 spots anywhere in the city (if they have an opening). Usually the majority of the spots go to guys already in the division with one or two going to outsiders. If you get a spot in another division you get sent there on the next transfer....

[EricDel]

Oh okay makes sense. Does it seem like a lot of guys will transfer to different divisons throughout their career? Know anyone that has stayed put in just one division for quite some time?

It's hard to compare LAPD to my local city department because they are just not nearly as big, probably the size of one division in LA (300 police in Wilmington).

[bigcitypolice06]

some people move alot and people stay in some places for a long time...some people get wheeled to a division after probation and never leave...but most promotion minded people move around alot...its true LAPD is huge!!! and most divisions have over 300 police officers alone...not counting supervisors or detectives...

[EricDel]

Thanks for the info! Also, when you look at the pay scale, when you increase from step 4 to step 5 etc.. is that just increase every year you are a P3 officer for example?

[Kieth M.]

I just had a very interesting talk with a former co-worker. An LAPD psychologist who maintains an eye on the training process.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villa-Reconquista, is adamant that his campaign promise to have 10,000 cops working LAPD by the end of his first term, will be fulfilled. His first term is up, soon.

They are warning him about lowering standards and retaining people incapable of handling the job. He says, "Get it done." Sooooo, my PhD buddy says they're getting people into the LAPD Academy who cannot write a coherent sentence....these are even people with 2 and 4-year degrees.

If you can string a few words together, spell most of them correctly, know the difference between Buenas Dias and Bruenas Noches, have a core temp of somewhere near 98.6 degrees (f).....this is a good time for anyone to apply and test.

[Ninja1234]

How man people will be hired in the next few months would you say? I drove to LA last weekend and did the written test. Hopefully it turned out ok. They said it takes 7-10 days to grade and notify me.


I just had a very interesting talk with a former co-worker. An LAPD psychologist who maintains an eye on the training process.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villa-Reconquista, is adamant that his campaign promise to have 10,000 cops working LAPD by the end of his first term, will be fulfilled. His first term is up, soon.

They are warning him about lowering standards and retaining people incapable of handling the job. He says, "Get it done." Sooooo, my PhD buddy says they're getting people into the LAPD Academy who cannot write a coherent sentence....these are even people with 2 and 4-year degrees.

If you can string a few words together, spell most of them correctly, know the difference between Buenas Dias and Bruenas Noches, have a core temp of somewhere near 98.6 degrees (f).....this is a good time for anyone to apply and test.

[Kieth M.]

They say they have a force of 9700. If they want 10,000, by next June, they'll need anywhere from 300-500 to make that happen. Keep your fingers crossed.

[EricDel]

Wow, I've been doing some research on my day off, I have to be honest how do you guys afford to live here...


9.3 percent on taxable income of $44,819 and above.

California's minimum combined state, county and local sales and use tax increased to 7.25 percent (6.25 state-only portion) Jan. 1, 2002.


That is just counting state taxes, when you throw in federal taxes, hell half your salary is almost down the drain... and if Obama wins you can count on those taxes going even higher. I'm not even considering the high cost of housing etc just the taxes alone..

[Kieth M.]

Wow, I've been doing some research on my day off, I have to be honest how do you guys afford to live here...

Now you know why I left. Now, see if there's an online rate quoter, or call an L.A. insurance agent and price auto insurance...or homeowners...see if they have renters' available. Let us know how that goes!:rolleyes:

[EricDel]

Quite redicilous. I'm starting to lean towards TX.. own a much bigger house, safer area, school systems, suburbs... oh yeah no state income tax and only 6% sales.....

Is car insurance and all that crazy expensive as well???

[DOAcop38]

I just had a very interesting talk with a former co-worker. An LAPD psychologist who maintains an eye on the training process.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villa-Reconquista, is adamant that his campaign promise to have 10,000 cops working LAPD by the end of his first term, will be fulfilled. His first term is up, soon.

They are warning him about lowering standards and retaining people incapable of handling the job. He says, "Get it done." Sooooo, my PhD buddy says they're getting people into the LAPD Academy who cannot write a coherent sentence....these are even people with 2 and 4-year degrees.

If you can string a few words together, spell most of them correctly, know the difference between Buenas Dias and Bruenas Noches, have a core temp of somewhere near 98.6 degrees (f).....this is a good time for anyone to apply and test.

Sarge , IT IS THAT BAD !!! Some are actually ESL( not that they are dumb, but when MOST people, even our cities burgeoning "immigrant" populace understands english, its soo sad that alot of NEWBIE cops can't even speak in a coherent ,RECOGNIZABLE language- english or otherwise !!!)- recently I gave up arguing with a "2 yr guy" who claims to speak (3) languages and has a DBL B.A. degree that "THE" is NOT spelled "t-e-h" ( the Sgt II at PAC DIV "circled that word" at least 10 times in the report ).........:eek:

[DOAcop38]

Quite redicilous. I'm starting to lean towards TX.. own a much bigger house, safer area, school systems, suburbs... oh yeah no state income tax and only 6% sales.....

Is car insurance and all that crazy expensive as well???

contact Pkagel FIRST( you can PM him here) Some places in TEX are 1st rate, while others are NOT and police tactics down in the "lone star" can scare you considering that they deal with alot of the same types of gang and gun crime we do here in So.Calif.......

[DOAcop38]

They say they have a force of 9700. If they want 10,000, by next June, they'll need anywhere from 300-500 to make that happen. Keep your fingers crossed.

..just add DOAPD(LAX) PORT PD, GSDPD, LAUSD PD and mix then "bake" ( ohh goodness, it couldn't get any worse.....) somehow though , they(LAPD) will get the #s

[EricDel]

contact Pkagel FIRST( you can PM him here) Some places in TEX are 1st rate, while others are NOT and police tactics down in the "lone star" can scare you considering that they deal with alot of the same types of gang and gun crime we do here in So.Calif.......

Are you saying Dallas PD is not trained very well? Not trying to criticize just trying to figure out what you mean? The departments in TX I will probably look at joining are Dallas PD, Grand Prarire, couple others in the DFW area, and Houston (possibly).

[DOAcop38]

Are you saying Dallas PD is not trained very well? Not trying to criticize just trying to figure out what you mean? The departments in TX I will probably look at joining are Dallas PD, Grand Prarire, couple others in the DFW area, and Houston (possibly).

No- not at all; just have received info from Folks in some parts of Tex. that tactics aren't as intensely emphasized as what they experienced while in training or the academy here( a fellow officer who left my dept in '03 is there in a dallas metro area PD and have a "bud" who went to Tex and had to go back to an academy, that have commented on this.)The only experience with DPD was a '99 ride along- things have changed I'm sure but. they were definitely jumping and seemed to have they're act together.some things I wouldn't do (or other Ca coppers wouldn't) but it works for them, so I'd say they are top notch.

you can expect alot of competition for those agencies in the Dallas metro area( like garland,Arlington, Frisco,Ft Worth,Denton,irving ,Plano,McKinney,Allen,etc) have high turn outs and are very popular depts with pay from $44K to $65K+/yr on the avg( high for tex and comparable to the $55K to $90 K avg here)/Alot of have the high tech "toys" and the tax base( at least before this current financial downturn) Since you were looking at LA - go on thru and apply with LAPD and some of the locals( like LAUSD PD, Santa Monica PD, culver city PD, Inglewood PD,torrance PD) but if you are going to look into Tex, you'd better hit the O.Com Texas section in employment .......

[EricDel]

Good info, thanks. Yeah I am most likely still going to apply with LAPD as well. It just sucks because all these trips cost a lot of $$$$, so I am definitely trying to limit myself to certain places. I have heard Dallas PD is in a similiar situation with hiring as LAPD and are having an academy about every 6 weeks or so.

Like I said before LAPD sounds awesome, it just seems like the state kills you on everything involving money, high income tax, high sales tax, high car insurance, housing, etc etc. I guess thats why a lot of people say the middle class is dying there..

[LA Copper]

There are lots of us on the job here in LA County that are from somewhere else, especially from the east coast, myself included. We all put up with the high rents and taxes and such. You'll make enough money to be able to afford to live here just like I do and DOA does and LA DEP does and all the rest of us. If you want it, go for it.

[EricDel]

Check pm LACopper, thanks.

I'm also worried your taxes are only going to get even higher along with the rest of the country now that Obama is our next president...

[LA Copper]

Check pm LACopper, thanks.

I'm also worried your taxes are only going to get even higher along with the rest of the country now that Obama is our next president...

Such is life, nothing we can do about it. Just do what you think is best and give it your best shot.

[ht2121]

So I am flying out to L.A next month, and I already think it might be a waste of money due to my lack of work history from what I hear. I have a B.A and finished college right when the economy turned south so its been hard to find much. So since I don't have much employment should I even bother? I would hate for that to keep me out since I have a very clean background and L.A is who I have always wanted to work for.
Though if that was one of their strong requirements, then they should place that on their hiring requirement list.

[archercapt32]

Definately dont give up!!! LAPD is still actively looking for people and having your degree might offset your lack of work history...if you dont at least try you will probably regret it for a long time!!

[ht2121]

Definately dont give up!!! LAPD is still actively looking for people and having your degree might offset your lack of work history...if you dont at least try you will probably regret it for a long time!!

Im still going for it and hoping for the best. I would hate for that one thing to keep me out. Ive got no other issues in my background so im going for it.

[LA DEP]

Wow, I've been doing some research on my day off, I have to be honest how do you guys afford to live here...


9.3 percent on taxable income of $44,819 and above.

California's minimum combined state, county and local sales and use tax increased to 7.25 percent (6.25 state-only portion) Jan. 1, 2002.


That is just counting state taxes, when you throw in federal taxes, hell half your salary is almost down the drain... and if Obama wins you can count on those taxes going even higher. I'm not even considering the high cost of housing etc just the taxes alone..

If you thought the above is bad, hold on to your hat (or more accurately, your wallet)

Measure R looks like it is going to pass....that will add a 1/2 cent to the sales tax here in LA County.....

And the Govanator just announced that he wants to add a 1 1/2 cent increase to the sales tax to the entire states.....

If both pass, that will make the sales tax here in LA County 10.25%!!!!

I cant wait till I hit 25 years, and I can move out of this freakin hell hole.....

[Showboat]

I'm glad my applications include agencies outside of LA County. 10.25% is ridiculous and the governor knows it.

[EricDel]

Your almost paying more in state taxes than federal!! Is literally half your salary going to go to taxes now, especially if you include your pension?

[bigcitypolice06]

Your almost paying more in state taxes than federal!! Is literally half your salary going to go to taxes now, especially if you include your pension?

Yep!!! And don't forget they tax our pensions too!!!!