Redondo Beach PD

[hankido2000]

Does anyone have any insight into the Redondo Beach PD? I noticed they are finally hiring recruits. Thanks in advance!

[LuvedMyMotor]

I spent 27 years there. Great department. I've been retired almost 3 years and I think there's been about 50% turnover since I left. I still get sgt. logs via email and don't recognize most of the names. Very young at the top. The chief is a guy who was junior to me, as is all of the Command Staff (and all but one supervisor, I think) so there won't be much upward movement for a while. (But then, before you know it, all those guys will bail, and there will again be lots of movement). Very pro-active department.

I grew up in the area and was always impressed by the officers I saw, as opposed to other departments in the area. I set my sights on working there, became a Reserve for about a year, then got hired. Starting out as a reserve is a great way, especially at RBPD because they tend to hire a lot of them, and it's a great way to learn. Can't beat the weather and the residents actually support the PD. Lots of crime comes in from L.A., and the mall is always a busy place, but violent crime is pretty low. Good luck. Feel free to PM me.

[DOAcop38]

is the turn over due to pay or is it the fact that everyone is cashing in on the 3%@50/55 deals.The listed pay( from the website) seems low,but I think its because the site hasn't really been updated all over.Other than Torrance PD,I couldn't imagine any other so.Bay agency as cool as Redondo bch PD

[ask80]

and ,according to the website, how come they don't hire level 1 reserves? but only level 2's and 3's?

[hankido2000]

What is the difference between level 1-3? I was a reserve officer in Minneapolis prior to moving to LA; all we did was direct traffic, took cold case reports, and staffed the various precinct front desks.

[hbliam]

What is the difference between level 1-3? I was a reserve officer in Minneapolis prior to moving to LA; all we did was direct traffic, took cold case reports, and staffed the various precinct front desks.


http://www.post.ca.gov/training/rpop/pdf/RPOP-summary.pdf

Basically you performed Level 3 type stuff. I work as a Level I and work a black and white solo.

[hankido2000]

http://www.post.ca.gov/training/rpop/pdf/RPOP-summary.pdf

Basically you performed Level 3 type stuff. I work as a Level I and work a black and white solo.

Thanks for the link. I wonder what percentage of their officers are reserve officers?

[LuvedMyMotor]

is the turn over due to pay or is it the fact that everyone is cashing in on the 3%@50/55 deals.The listed pay( from the website) seems low,but I think its because the site hasn't really been updated all over.Other than Torrance PD,I couldn't imagine any other so.Bay agency as cool as Redondo bch PD

Not many of our guys leave to go elsewhere, at least not since the 80's. 3@50 took a big toll on the dept. Pay is good. I think most senior guys are close to or over 6 figures now with just a little OT. As far as cool, I think we had it all over the rest of the South Bay. Obviously not as big as Torrance, but lots of different assignments, i.e., detectives, motors, K9, pier, SRO etc, Small enough that you know everybody and most guys and gals seem to like each other. Of course, that was "back in the day" (2 years or so ago). Ha.

[LuvedMyMotor]

and ,according to the website, how come they don't hire level 1 reserves? but only level 2's and 3's?

I started out as a Reserve at RBPD, but, correct me if I'm wrong, we were only level 2, i.e., we had to have a regular officer with us. I don't know why they "wouldn't" hire level 1's.

[LuvedMyMotor]

Thanks for the link. I wonder what percentage of their officers are reserve officers?

I think about 25% of our guys started out as reserves with RBPD.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Last I heard, POST no longer allows Level I reserves. Those that exist were grandfathered in.

As for RBPD, let me add to the kudos. Perhaps these are a bit outdated, but here I go:

First in the state to use the oval, aerodynamic non-square light bars
First in the state to institute an ATV beach patrol
First in the state to assemble a multi-regional task force (The Western Regional Burglary Team)
First in the state to create a multi-agency communication/dispatch center
First in the state to include MDTs in their patrol units

I can't speak for more recent doings, but RBPD certainly hasn't been a 'follower' agency over the years.

Luv'dMyMotor, am I accurate in my claims. My memory is hazy at best.

EDJ

[hankido2000]

They also recently purchased a new Bearcat SWAT vehicle that they share with other surrounding South Bay agencies including Torrance.

[ElDiabloJoe]

They also recently purchased a new Bearcat SWAT vehicle that they share with other surrounding South Bay agencies including Torrance.That's awfully generous of them, seeing how Torrance has a reputation of being a very arrogant agency. Don't know if it is deserved or not...

EDJ

[hankido2000]

I was surprised Torrance didn't buy their own to replace their recently retired GMC armored car.

[ask80]

edj, i believe post allows level 1s... i've been a level 1 for like 6 months.. and hope to become level 1D by next year so i can go solo...

[hbliam]

Last I heard, POST no longer allows Level I reserves. Those that exist were grandfathered in.



News to me and all the agencies running POST Level I academies. :)

IOW...uh,....no.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Sorry, then I got bad intel from a guy at work. Mea Culpa.

EDJ

[LuvedMyMotor]

Last I heard, POST no longer allows Level I reserves. Those that exist were grandfathered in.

As for RBPD, let me add to the kudos. Perhaps these are a bit outdated, but here I go:

First in the state to use the oval, aerodynamic non-square light bars
First in the state to institute an ATV beach patrol
First in the state to assemble a multi-regional task force (The Western Regional Burglary Team)
First in the state to create a multi-agency communication/dispatch center
First in the state to include MDTs in their patrol units

I can't speak for more recent doings, but RBPD certainly hasn't been a 'follower' agency over the years.

Luv'dMyMotor, am I accurate in my claims. My memory is hazy at best.

EDJYep,,,all that and more...very inventive and again, pro-active..won a state award a few years back for setting up a store-front sting operation that "bought" stolen goods from thieves, druggies, etc. Most of the dept. didn't even know it was going on until all the Search Warrants were served at the end of it. Ended up putting a lot of crooks in jail behind that. Also was one of the first, if not the first, to get a gang injunction that virtually shut down our local gang. And I know we didn't have the FIRST DUI Team, as I got some training by Simi Valley PD, but we set all sorts of records for arrests in the first year. All this good stuff..to say nothing of the chief who hired me :)

[LuvedMyMotor]

That's awfully generous of them, seeing how Torrance has a reputation of being a very arrogant agency. Don't know if it is deserved or not...

EDJ
Well, in my early years, it was a VERY well-deserved rep. RB was their red-headed step-child at best. But, Torrance has my respect as a top-notch dept. They have their share of crime, but it's hard to get out of Torrance if you've just done something really bad. You can't go west, (Redondo and a big ocean waiting for you there) and their coppers have a great sense of where to set up to catch you on your way back to L.A. or Hawthorne, or wherever you came from. Their rep now is shoot first and sort it out later.

[hankido2000]

I submitted my application this afternoon and I'm scheduled to take the written on 10/01. I'm still hoping to be hired on by LA County Police -- it's my #1 choice. Redondo would be my second choice, mostly because it's where I live -- I could walk to work!

I'm entering the academy in late October as a pre-service recruit. Is it wise to limit my applications to these two agencies now, or would it be better to submit others knowing that I will soon be entering the academy? I could also submit applications once I am in the academy.

[Biz_mikee]

I submitted my application this afternoon and I'm scheduled to take the written on 10/01. I'm still hoping to be hired on by LA County Police -- it's my #1 choice. Redondo would be my second choice, mostly because it's where I live -- I could walk to work!

I'm entering the academy in late October as a pre-service recruit. Is it wise to limit my applications to these two agencies now, or would it be better to submit others knowing that I will soon be entering the academy? I could also submit applications once I am in the academy.

I would.

[hankido2000]

I would.

You mean stick with the two I currently have or apply to others as well.

[DOAcop38]

apply to at least 5 area depts- Hermosa Bch is hiring,Gardena PD,Inglewood and Manhattan Bch PD if you want to stay in the South Bay.If you are going "pre service" at rio hnodo,push in those Application PDQ and get the ball rolling- i think rio hondo still allows you time to go to interviews and such whil attending academy classes

[hankido2000]

This morning I took the entry level exam for RBPD. I found it to be far more challenging than the standard CA POST exam. It was produced by a company called CPS. Has anyone ever taken this before, if so what are your thoughts?

Prior to the exam, Chief Leonardi and several of his command staff welcomed us and explained a bit about the department, the hiring process, and their expectations. Chief Leonardi also indicated that those who make it to the chief's interview should expect to spend an hour with him.

[hankido2000]

I was notified this afternoon that I passed the written exam and I'm scheduled to take the PAT on 10/13 at STARS. Could someone explain to me what the Coopers Testing Format is? I'm not familiar with it. Thanks in advance!

[LuvedMyMotor]

This morning I took the entry level exam for RBPD. I found it to be far more challenging than the standard CA POST exam. It was produced by a company called CPS. Has anyone ever taken this before, if so what are your thoughts?

Prior to the exam, Chief Leonardi and several of his command staff welcomed us and explained a bit about the department, the hiring process, and their expectations. Chief Leonardi also indicated that those who make it to the chief's interview should expect to spend an hour with him.

Ah....Chief Leonardi...Really a great guy. I hired on in 1979, Chief Joe a couple years later. Very hard-working, hard-charging kind of guy who rose very quickly through the ranks. Before he promoted to sergeant, though, he and I were detectives at the same time. The man would NOT let a case die. I've never met anyone more consciencious (sp?) and genuinely good-hearted in my life. He would spend (and still does) 18 hours at work and rarely, if ever, put in for OT. If you make it as far as a Chief's Interview, you WILL be tested, probably more so than any other point in the process. The department is very lucky, IMO, to have him leading.

[DOAcop38]

This morning I took the entry level exam for RBPD. I found it to be far more challenging than the standard CA POST exam. It was produced by a company called CPS. Has anyone ever taken this before, if so what are your thoughts?

Prior to the exam, Chief Leonardi and several of his command staff welcomed us and explained a bit about the department, the hiring process, and their expectations. Chief Leonardi also indicated that those who make it to the chief's interview should expect to spend an hour with him.

curious - how many took the actual exam? Depts like RBPD don't hire all the time and i can imagine alot of "die hard" that really want the job- including officers from other Depts,RBPD cadets/traffic officers/civies/local pre service academy grads ,testing..either act like and work like you are their #1 candidate,and you will be successful........

[hankido2000]

Ah....Chief Leonardi...Really a great guy. I hired on in 1979, Chief Joe a couple years later. Very hard-working, hard-charging kind of guy who rose very quickly through the ranks. Before he promoted to sergeant, though, he and I were detectives at the same time. The man would NOT let a case die. I've never met anyone more consciencious (sp?) and genuinely good-hearted in my life. He would spend (and still does) 18 hours at work and rarely, if ever, put in for OT. If you make it as far as a Chief's Interview, you WILL be tested, probably more so than any other point in the process. The department is very lucky, IMO, to have him leading.

I am an outsider to RBPD, but I have to say that everything I have heard has been more than positive. When I was testing for Redondo Chief Leonardi came in to give us some positive encouragement. He told us a story about an officer who was a lateral transfer. When he was out riding with his FTO he noticed that people would wave at him frequently. He stopped to ask if they needed assistance and was surprised that none of them did. He asked his FTO about who laughed and told him that in Redondo the community is very supportive of the department and that unlike other cities in Redondo he'd see a five finger wave instead of a one finger wave. I thought that was a really humorous story that revealed a lot about this community and the chief as well. He also mentioned that every person who is hired under a 5-year contract should make sure to fulfill this obligation. Redondo does not have such a contract but he wanted everyone to take the commitment seriously given the fact that the cities invest a lot of public money into training officers.

[hankido2000]

curious - how many took the actual exam? Depts like RBPD don't hire all the time and i can imagine alot of "die hard" that really want the job- including officers from other Depts,RBPD cadets/traffic officers/civies/local pre service academy grads ,testing..either act like and work like you are their #1 candidate,and you will be successful........

The exam was given in a large community room in the public library. There were three people per table and I believe there were 75 to 100 people in the room. RBPD is currently hiring both entry-level and laterals. The hiring process for the lateral position has already commenced, so new hires are not in the same pool. I did notice three community service officers/cadets in the room.

[hankido2000]

Last night I had the opportunity to go on a ride-along with RBPD. The officer who I was paired with just finished his FTO phase several weeks prior. He was also featured on the show “ The Academy”, although he was shown in passing. He offered some great insight into the department as well as advice for the academy.

My ride-along lasted about 4 hours which consisted of a 415 music call, several t-stops, as well as being a back up on a DUI call.

I left with the impression that RBPD mainly hires from within the department from a pool of jailers, CSOs, cadets, and laterals.