Join the LAPD?

[tbhracing]

Virtually the last agency in the world which runs a two-officer car as a standard patrol package: Almost all agencies are single-officer units.

Don't forget that the CHP does two Officer cars every night on graveyard as well.

[Samuelx]

O.com? :insert puke smiley here: I used to be a member over there awhile back - quit in disgust (imagine if everyone in CG was allowed to, i.e. no moderators, freely post in the LEO section and pretend to be LEOs)...

IMO, I would recommend that you talk to as many current LAPD officers as possible and get their opinions. Better yet, go on as many ride alongs as you can, different officers, different stations, different shifts...

[TASK, LLC]

Don't forget that the CHP does two Officer cars every night on graveyard as well.

My post was referring to the fact that the two-officer unit was the STANDARD at LAPD.

Many agencies run two-officer units as the exception based on shift or assignment, but it is not the norm. But when you get "that officer" as a partner, sometimes you wish you worked alone.

[Bill Carson]

Any LAPD Leo's in here that an give me some advice? Thinking of making the LAPD my next career. I just turned 34 so it becoming very close to being now or never.

Suggestion?
Comments?

The written test is a joke. You do the five year contract with the LAPD and then you can lateral almost anywhere.

[FenixHaus]

The starting salary for LAPD is currently $45,000 or $46,000. After taxes and dues you end up taking home about $35,000. If that's more than you're making now then it's not a bad idea. If you're taking a major pay cut, don't be optimistic and think that your pay will increase quickly, it won't. If money is an issue, I suggest signing up with a different department. If you make it into LAPD, you have to stay for at least 5 years or else they threaten to sue you for the cost of training ($60,000).

If you're 34 and fit, that's better than an out of shape 21 year old. 34 is not a bad age either. Work 20 years until you're 54 or 55. Retire. Collect pension. I started at 21 years old and I have to work a total of 28 years before I'm old enough to collect pension.



- 6 Months Academy
- 1 Year patrol time
- 6 Months in the jail. Pretty much everyone is going there after probation now. LAPD is really short on Detention Officers at the moment. You can extend for another 6 months with a 2% paycut if you want.
- Back out to Patrol.

[mixicus]

What are you looking for in a LE career? Do you want to get into an 'assignment' and stay there your entire career? Do you want to promote? What kind of work environment are you looking for? Is geography a concern (remember you may live in OC/IE but could get put in Mission Hills...embrace suckage of a commute)?

Every agency has good and bad points. It depends on your drivers and desires as to which agency is 'better' for you? If you don't want to pull 4-6 years of custody most SD are out. If traffic enforcement/accident investigation is your thing, CHP and large agencies with permanent motor slots are a 'go'. If you want Aero, skip all but a handful of departments (if they don't a have a bird now, they won't be getting one). You get the idea.

[URBAN COMMANDO]

pm me with specifics
hopefully I can help you out

[Sonnyf4i]

I actually like this thread, I am majoring in criminal justice to get a better understanding of where i want to end up. police or probation; I really like both but whatever comes first and will get me into the door. Any tips beside applying everywhere?

[FenixHaus]

Options/Benefits

Other than applying everywhere you can also

1. Find out what jobs are available within the Department and what the Career Ladder looks like.
2. Find out what the Benefits and Retirement is like. Will the system sustain until you retire? If yes, will it support the lifestyle you desire as a retiree?

Right now you probably just want to be an Officer so bad that you would do it for free (I said that before I got on the job). Don't get me wrong, I love my job. There's nothing I would give it up for except maybe sitting my *** on a white sandy beach and getting paid. Since that's never going to happen, I'm participating in Deferred Comp and other savings plans. I thank God I have a good Pension Plan. For these reasons, AFTER I retire, I will probably have a pretty good chance of chillin' on a beach while collecting my pension checks. Still, if I had no money problems, I'd probably do it for free.

BOTTOM LINE: Research and see what fits your needs/expectations/lifestyles.

[Uhhlexxxis]

CHP hiring re-opens January 2013. You can go anywhere in the state (depending on availability and needs of the department). LA is a place a lot of new officers go.

What's not to like?

[retired]

The written test is a joke. You do the five year contract with the LAPD and then you can lateral almost anywhere.

I have no idea if things have changed, but when I applied for LAPD in 1975, the written test was waived since I had a B.A. If you have a 4yr. degree, you might want to check into that.

[pismopal]

The written test is a joke. You do the five year contract with the LAPD and then you can lateral almost anywhere.

Yes..you can "lateral" if you have a good track record but you are going to leave 5 years of pension contributions behind. LAPD is not a member of PERS..they have their own system and it was and surely still is...non transferable. LAPD is heavily skewed towards "minorities" and females so get ready for that. As for "joining" any PD or agency...you are not just signing up and being issued kit. The process is lengthy and fraught with pitfalls that you have no idea are there. Long story short...the process is like a lottery..some hit it and most do not. I would recommend the shotgun approach rather than specializing as hiring cycles differ from place to place. LAPD was good to me (1964-1989) but it is different now..the golden age is over...take what you find and deal with it. Good luck

[intl1911]

The LAPD is a good organization and when I lived in california I knew a lot of great officers and the guys on what used to be anti terrorism (not sure if they went through a name change again but it is still anti terrorism) were great guys.

Become a reserve first, that will help you gain some experience to see if it is a career that you want.

[mr.elite]

I'm curious why you would choose LAPD. Nothing wrong with LAPD but there are alot of other departments out there. City, County, State, Federal....

[DFence]

I'm curious why you would choose LAPD. Nothing wrong with LAPD but there are alot of other departments out there. City, County, State, Federal....

That's just it, I haven't chose and that's why I asked the question to get some feed back. Plus, they are actually hiring and not to many agencies are right now.