LASD Rejection Letter

[Unit74]

but my next step is to contact my BI and file an appeal.

Be careful what you wish for. You don't want to be perceived as a sour apple because you didn't get the offer. And remember, everything you do will be available to the next investigator.

[1911su16b870]

There are alot of LEAs out there, apply to two or three other agencies. Ask your BI what they considered "poor judgement" (it may have been one of your background references who shared a story about you...) because you should know this in that your other dept. BI will contact that BI.

[OIF_VET]

If you are male...forget about it....they're only taking females bro..

[retired]

Being 21 is not necessarily a negative for lasd. I hired on with many who were that young and years later as a supervisor in the jail, had many working for me who were that age.

You must also realize with lasd, a new deputy will not be going to patrol for probably 3-5yrs., depending on what station he/she has in for. Their first assignment will either be custody, the courts or TST (if they still send them to the last). By the time they get to patrol, they will have had a valuable experience that new police officers will never have had; working around inmates.

Hopefully your BI will be able to explain the exact reasons so you will know what you need to correct. Good luck.

[sgtbuck]

You need to REALLY LOOK HARD at what Unit74 is saying to you. He is 100% correct in his last two posts. You need real life experience to be a good Officer. Take a few years and join the Military. It would give you that experience and you will have some great memories to share.

I never joined the Military and not a day goes by that I do not regret that decision. Yes I am retired from law enforcement but it is not the same.

[gunsnrovers]

Good luck with it. Got rejected for "Judgement" back in 2001 just after 9/11 (I was actually undergoing my cardiac screening during the 9/11 attack) by LAPD for a misdemeanor in 1992. No other issues besides that, good credit, strong community ties, fantastic community references (law enforcement, business owners, and clergy), etc. Pursued it to the city council, but was shot down before I could even plead my case.

In the end I was pretty much told the issue was, quote, "looking me in the mirror". LAPD didn't want a 31 year old white guy who wasn't prior military.

I didn't pursue other agencies as I was told my rejection by LAPD and the rejection of appeal by the city council would follow me.

Regret not going into the service in 1988 when the USMC told me to come back in 1989 after my knee injury healed (finished college instead). Definitely closed a lot of doors to me.

[cmonk518]

You need to REALLY LOOK HARD at what Unit74 is saying to you. He is 100% correct in his last two posts. You need real life experience to be a good Officer. Take a few years and join the Military. It would give you that experience and you will have some great memories to share.

Yup, that is totally correct. With no Explorer or Military background, you are a baby in the eyes of LASD.

Not to say they don't recruit young bucks...I actually know of a few that actually got a duty weapon in Academy before they could even buy a gun legitimately at a store. But those young bucks are usually far and beyond. They are heavily into community service, afterschool programs, spent several years as an Explorer, excel in school, etc. and definitely can get recommendations from judges, civil servants, power brokers, etc. they meet while doing charity and community service, from high ranking LEOs as an Explorer, etc. Things to show they are quite an individual, mature, responsible, motivated, and ready to give back and serve.

It's probably a little late to get into all that, so best to probably finish college with honors, get into community service, Explorer program, and/or join the military. Those are definitely all pluses and might get you back into the program in a few years.

If you can't wait, try LAPD. Their rejection rate is way lower than LASD for some reason, but thats maybe because LASD is such a bigger dept.

[retired]

Their rejection rate is way lower than LASD for some reason, but thats maybe because LASD is such a bigger dept.

LAPD has 9982 sworn officers and almost 3300 civilians per their website. Tho I couldn't find the numbers for LASD, I doubt if they have 10K sworn deputies. They may have a larger civilian staff since LASD has custody assistants in addition to all of the other civilians.

If one is comparing sworn, I believe LAPD is larger. LASD is also pushing the hiring of females as evidenced by the recruitment posters. There has a been a pic of one in the Star News for the last year. That may have been the real reason he wasn't hired, tho obviously don't know.

Plenty of people are hired without a military experience at all agencies. I was 26 when I was hired in 1976 and didn't have any military (High draft # in 1969). I realize a lot of things have changed since that date, but lack of military experience won't prevent someone from being hired. Does it help; yes, I'm sure it does, but unless things have changed radically since I retired, the lack of it will not disqualify one from being hired.

[Steve G]

Why on earth you would want to be a cop is beyond me. LASD working in the jails.....Really????? What a horrible start......

[gunsnrovers]

Does it help; yes, I'm sure it does, but unless things have changed radically since I retired, the lack of it will not disqualify one from being hired.

When I was going through the LAPD process, military experience gave you plus points. All things being equal, it's the kick over the top.

[Shaolin Crane]

Why on earth you would want to be a cop is beyond me. LASD working in the jails.....Really????? What a horrible start......

there are alot more horrible things in the world I could be doing

[5shot]

Just apply somewhere else. There are plenty of departments around LA and Orange counties.
During my 32 years in LE, I've known several people who were rejected by one department or the other, and ended up being hired by another. Some became captains and chiefs.
If you make a big deal (appeal) with LASD, your going to make them put their reasons in writing and create a paper trail that other background investigators will find.
It is harder for a 21 year old to get hired off the street. I got hired at 21, but had been a cadet for 2 years, an explorer before that, and was in my 3rd year of police science (Criminal Justice now days) in college. I was the only 21 year old in my academy class.
I think most of the old timers here will agree that whenever the economy gets bad, there are a ton of applicants to pick and choose from. So a lot of good applicants get passed over. Then when the economy gets better some of these people leave to the better paying 9-5 jobs. Those are the times you'll see recruiters traveling around the country just to get a handful of applicants.
Jobs in every sector, including LE are harder to get now. But just keep applying.

[Ron-Solo]

If you are male...forget about it....they're only taking females bro..

That's FUD.

[Ron-Solo]

Why on earth you would want to be a cop is beyond me. LASD working in the jails.....Really????? What a horrible start......

Unless you have been there, your comments are on the verge of bashing. Being a cop is a highly rewarding experience on a personal level. I've had a positive impact on more people than I caould even begin to count.

As a 31 year veteran of the LASD, I can honestly say the 2 1/2 years I spent working at Mens Central Jail was an EXTREMELY VALUABLE experience. I've worked a variety of assignments throughout the years, including working our mountain cars, helicopter observer, special assignment teams, and the "regular" patrol assignments at 4 different stations.

You are not going to get that at a small PD.

[Ron-Solo]

there are alot more horrible things in the world I could be doing

EXACTLY ! Don't give up. Keep applying to every agency that is taking aplications.

Contact your background investigator and see if you can get specifics or more information. There are some things he can't tell you due to privacy reasons, so expect that.

A tour in the military will not hurt you. Right now, the hiring process is very competetive because of the economy. If you don't want to do a full active duty position, consider the reserves with an active duty tour.

You are competing against a lot of vets coming come with some significant life experiences. The military will allow you to show that you can make judgement calls.

It's not like you were DQ'd for morals or conduct.

And the part that says "this may be permanent" is something that goes into all of the letters.

And there is nothing wrong with filing an appeal, as long as you do it in a professional and rational manner. Don't start throwing out slurs, threats, or inuendos. They will get you permanently aced out. By filing an appeal, you are simply asking them to reconsider the information. If you can find out from the background investigators why they came to that conclusion, you might be able to supple them with additional information to support your case.

GOOD LUCK - DON'T QUIT