Please help clarify: Pre Service Entry level

[DavidRSA]

I just applied to the Beverley Hills PD for this position. Looks like the job title simply means that you are totally a raw recruit, no POST training and no LEO experience. The following is the part that I am unclear on:

"Pre-Service Entry Level Police officers shall serve as non-sworn civilian employee until such time as he/she successfully graduates from the Police Academy and is sworn in as a Police Officer."

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/beverlyhills/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=362858&hit_count=yes&headerFooter=1&promo=0&transfer=0&WDDXJobSearchParams=%3CwddxPacket%20version%3D%271.0%27%3E%3Cheader%2F%3E%3Cdata%3E%3Cstruct%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27FIND_KEYWORD%27%3E%3Cstring%3E%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27CATEGORYID%27%3E%3Cstring%3E-1%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27TRANSFER%27%3E%3Cstring%3E0%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3Cvar%20name%3D%27PROMOTIONALJOBS%27%3E%3Cstring%3E0%3C%2Fstring%3E%3C%2Fvar%3E%3C%2Fstruct%3E%3C%2Fdata%3E%3C%2FwddxPacket%3E

Does this mean you start working for the BHPD and attend an academy at the same time?

Any clarification will be much appreciated!

[TheExpertish]

It means start working as a cadet and get paid to attend the academy.

[retired]

This^^ If you graduate, you are sworn in and become a police officer for BH.

When I entered my academy in 1976, I was sworn in the first day as were my fellow deputy cadets. My former dept's. (LASD) policy then and for some years afterward, was to do it that way.

I don't know what year that changed, but I do know that it finally did and the main reason for that change was due to Worker's Comp. injuries. Cadets who were injured while in the academy where covered by WC since they were sworn deputies.

If it was an injury that left them totally disabled, they were awarded lifetime benefits. Even if they were able to continue in that or a subsequent academy class, it still cost the county money for the injury.

The costs became staggering, tho I don't know the amounts, so they changed the policy and only swore them in once they graduated. There may have been contributing reasons, but I was told this was the primary one. I suspect other depts. do it for the same reason.

[DavidRSA]

So if I understand correctly, you are not working at the BHPD in a nonsworn position and attending the academy at the same time? Ie at the academy during the day and then at the BHPD itself on nights and/or weekends.

Anyone know which academy BHPD uses?

[mixicus]

This is the way a PD pays a recruit when he/she is in the academy. You are a civilian employee of the dept whose full time job is to succeed in the academy. You will likely never see the inside of the dept until you graduate except for maybe an academy required ride-a-long. There are a few exceptions: Huntington Beach uses their recruits on 4th of July and Pasadena used them during the Rose Parade for details.

Recently, depts have been using different academies, mostly due to schedule/availability. Example: a Ventura county PD sent its recent recruits to Goldenwest because VCSD cancelled an academy date or two.

[TheExpertish]

This^^ If you graduate, you are sworn in and become a police officer for BH.

When I entered my academy in 1976, I was sworn in the first day as were my fellow deputy cadets. My former dept's. (LASD) policy then and for some years afterward, was to do it that way.

I don't know what year that changed, but I do know that it finally did and the main reason for that change was due to Worker's Comp. injuries. Cadets who were injured while in the academy where covered by WC since they were sworn deputies.

If it was an injury that left them totally disabled, they were awarded lifetime benefits. Even if they were able to continue in that or a subsequent academy class, it still cost the county money for the injury.

The costs became staggering, tho I don't know the amounts, so they changed the policy and only swore them in once they graduated. There may have been contributing reasons, but I was told this was the primary one. I suspect other depts. do it for the same reason.

IIRC there were some instances where a wayward cadet or two decided to exercise their newly learned skills and "authority" incorrectly early and got in hot water.

This is the way a PD pays a recruit when he/she is in the academy. You are a civilian employee of the dept whose full time job is to succeed in the academy. You will likely never see the inside of the dept until you graduate except for maybe an academy required ride-a-long. There are a few exceptions: Huntington Beach uses their recruits on 4th of July and Pasadena used them during the Rose Parade for details.

Recently, depts have been using different academies, mostly due to schedule/availability. Example: a Ventura county PD sent its recent recruits to Goldenwest because VCSD cancelled an academy date or two.

This is true. I have also seen cadets in extended format academy's fill positions as jailers to get the full 40 hours per week before graduating. Just depends on what they need, and where they're comfortable putting you.

[Notorious]

Depending on each place, the policy and practice varies.

Most places hire the entry-level folks as civilian employees whose sole duty is to attend the academy. Some places have regular check in for status with the recruit coordinator just to see how you are doing. Some places have the cadets do some civilian duty just to familiarize them with the station.

You get paid a lower wage than the officers while you are in the academy. Then you get promoted to full sworn officer when you successfully graduate.

[retired]

IIRC there were some instances where a wayward cadet or two decided to exercise their newly learned skills and "authority" incorrectly early and got in hot water.

I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to.


In all seriousness, I'm sure that was a factor also. There was a class before mine that is forever known as the "Pizza" class and they did not do anything even close to what you referred to (just opened their mouths at the wrong time), so doing dumb things does not surprise me.

If you are interested in that story, pm me. It is a funny part of LASD history.

[Notorious]

Cadets getting in trouble is nothing new. It won't be the last time and it will keep happening in the future.

[Che762x39]

I just applied to the Beverley Hills PD for this position.

When I applied to BHPD you needed a BA/BS degree but they let me take the written test with a AA. It was the hardest test I ever took in law enforcement. I got a "68" and I was told to take it again in 30 days because no one else even got a "50".

Good luck its a good department.

[DavidRSA]

When I applied to BHPD you needed a BA/BS degree but they let me take the written test with a AA. It was the hardest test I ever took in law enforcement. I got a "68" and I was told to take it again in 30 days because no one else even got a "50".

Good luck its a good department.

I think I'm OK education wise...got a chem degree, a law degree, a masters and am an attorney in CA. Although I still failed the LAPD written!!

[Notorious]

You're a lawyer? God luck. You will have an uphill battle against some old timers and their preconceived notions. I know it all to well.

[Joejo]

Is there anyway to practice for the LAPD written?

[Falconis]

Also could mean that you will be highly paid gophers until the academy starts at which time you will be paid to go to the academy.

I know our department has what are called pre hires. Basically means that academy starts on X date, but until then, they use you to fulfill any and all menial tasks they can think of until the date.

[S2V]

This^^ If you graduate, you are sworn in and become a police officer for BH.

When I entered my academy in 1976, I was sworn in the first day as were my fellow deputy cadets. My former dept's. (LASD) policy then and for some years afterward, was to do it that way.

I don't know what year that changed, but I do know that it finally did and the main reason for that change was due to Worker's Comp. injuries. Cadets who were injured while in the academy where covered by WC since they were sworn deputies.

If it was an injury that left them totally disabled, they were awarded lifetime benefits. Even if they were able to continue in that or a subsequent academy class, it still cost the county money for the injury.

The costs became staggering, tho I don't know the amounts, so they changed the policy and only swore them in once they graduated. There may have been contributing reasons, but I was told this was the primary one. I suspect other depts. do it for the same reason.

LAPD used to be like this...