Working for LAPD?

[tquizzle]

I am in the hiring process with them along with a few other agencies and I'm actually putting myself through the academy right now pre service. I was considering a withdrawal from their process. Should I continue or withdraw from LAPD?

I don't like a few things I hear like their academy doesn't give you a true post? If you lateral before 5 years you have to pay them back? And all their duty belts have to be exactly the same?

I'm just not sure about LAPD. What to do? Help with my decision please.

[x-007]

The LAPD P.O.S.T. certificate is fully valid within the State of California. As far as I know, uniform standards are still required, and only one style of duty belt is authorized (other than specialized units such as SWAT, who wear "tactical" belts).

As far as lateral transfers goes, you have to sign a contract to continue service with the LAPD for a minimum of 5 years. As with most contracts, that can probably be debated....but it was a stipulation that was caused by several "scab" agencies that told candidates for THEIR agency that they needed to be hired by the LAPD or LASD and go through THEIR training academies BEFORE they could get hired by the "scab" agency. The "scabs" were saving a LOT of money by not having to pay for the training of their recruits. I know that for a FACT, since I trained at least 2 probationers who surprised me with that info....and they did, in fact, get hired by one of those "scab" agencies before they completed their mandatory probationary period.

I spent 31 years with the LAPD, and it was a highly-respected agency within the law enforcement community. Of course, times were different back then, but the basics are still there. The LAPD has always been under-staffed, and even though it has increased in size to 10,000 officers, it's STILL not what it should be....especially when compared to the NYPD, which covers a relatively small area, but has approximately 40,000 officers!

[Samuelx]

I am in the hiring process with them along with a few other agencies and I'm actually putting myself through the academy right now pre service. I was considering a withdrawal from their process. Should I continue or withdraw from LAPD?

I don't like a few things I hear like their academy doesn't give you a true post? If you lateral before 5 years you have to pay them back? And all their duty belts have to be exactly the same?

I'm just not sure about LAPD. What to do? Help with my decision please.

1. Can you afford to be choosy?
2. Consider where you're getting your info from - verify "facts".
3. Every agency has policies/procedures - NONE are going to allow you to do whatever you want, whenever you want...

[tquizzle]

1. Can you afford to be choosy?
2. Consider where you're getting your info from - verify "facts".
3. Every agency has policies/procedures - NONE are going to allow you to do whatever you want, whenever you want...

I can't afford $48,000 if I lateral to another agency after a year.

I'm verifying my facts right here, that's why I asked for help.

And I don't expect to do anything I want but I would like to be able to set up at least my duty belt the way I want that's comfortable for me.

[benjamin101677]

If your having questions and thinking of lateraling after only 1 year seems like your heart not in LAPD which could affect your performance. I was going to say go to them but think you be better off else where as to me 5 years in no time will go by so quick and then you would be a tried veteran and get hired easier. But if your heart not in it I would say don't go there.

[tquizzle]

In all honesty LAPD is not my first choice but the career is. I want to be an officer more than anything but I don't like the feeling of being held hostage after being trained especially since I'll already have a post by the time I'm hired but LAPD forces you to go through their academy to work for them, even if you're a lateral or pre service.

[Samuelx]

Ok, so how many solid employment offers do you have right now on the table in front of you that you're choosing between??????

[Rickrock1]

Try $60,000

If you haw an opertunity to become LAPD why wouldn't not.

The Sam brown is all good

[Ron-Solo]

If you are that picky about your duty belt set up, maybe a career in LE isn't for you. Most departments have uniform requirements and the duty belt is part of it. Until you get into a specialized unit, you are tuck with the standard patrol rig.

For example, I seriously doubt you would be able to wear a tactical thigh rig on patrol in 98% of the agencies.

One of the key things they tell you in any academy, be flexible. Things are in a content state of flex. As a newbie, go with the flow, or it will eat you alive.

LAPD is the second best agency in LA County. Self sponsored at a st of around $10K or have LAPD pay you to go to the academy, pay for all your training and equipment? Do the math. Who cares if you spend five years with them, you will be learning constantly during that time, and if you are unhappy, almost any agency will take you as a lateral at that point. Most people don't even get to a decent level of experience until they have at least three years on the street.

LAPD is one of the few agencies that still runs 2 person cars that aren't "training" cars. Two person cars are where the crime fighting proactive police work is found.

[tquizzle]

Ok, so how many solid employment offers do you have right now on the table in front of you that you're choosing between??????

LAPD isn't offering anything yet either.

[tquizzle]

If you are that picky about your duty belt set up, maybe a career in LE isn't for you. Most departments have uniform requirements and the duty belt is part of it. Until you get into a specialized unit, you are tuck with the standard patrol rig.

For example, I seriously doubt you would be able to wear a tactical thigh rig on patrol in 98% of the agencies.

I'm not being that picky but I hear everything goes in a certain place and there is no room for negotiation. I'm in the academy self sponsored right now and we have wiggle room. I don't want or need a thigh rig. I'm not a tacticool wanna be. It was a minor concern I wanted to mention along with my major concern of academy contracts.

And self sponsor doesn't cost 10k guys, already doing it, not that steep.

[tquizzle]

Try $60,000

If you haw an opertunity to become LAPD why wouldn't not.

The Sam brown is all good

It's 12k off every year so after one year that would be 48k to pay off. It's 60k at academy graduation if you leave right away.

[tyrist]

The 5 year contract is not legally enforceable. The only issue you will run into is if the department you wish to work for makes you pay it back before they hire you.

New LAPD Officers have been leaving en mass because of the drastically lower pay compared to other agencies.

[Samuelx]

LAPD isn't offering anything yet either.

That's my point... IMO, you're putting the cart before the horse.

From when I seriously started trying to get sworn, it took me about 6 years to finally make it (and my background was a LOT cleaner than many/most that I've seen in recent times). Back then, I also was of the mindset that I just wanted to be a sworn LEO - Period. Difference was that I Really meant it.

If ANY agency in So Cal had been willing to give me a chance, I would have been happy to take them up on their offer. The agency that was willing to give me a chance to prove my worth was going to get my best effort (and I would have been proud to have been LAPD too).

Fortunately, after two tries 5 years apart, my department finally gave me a shot. And because it wasn't easy for me and/or handed to me on a platter, I appreciate this career opportunity more than a LOT of other guys/gals (same with my current assignment as well)!

[Falconis]

You seem to be having some serious doubts about a job where it's pretty much the same no matter where you go. Just an observation.