Q: Is the Los Angeles School Police part of the Los Angeles City Police?
A: The Los Angeles School Police Department (LASDP) and the Los Angeles City Police Department (LAPD) are two separate police departments providing services within Los Angeles. Both agencies occasionally share resources, have their own jurisdiction and primary responsibilities, and work to achieve the same common goal - the safety and security of everyone they serve.
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Q: What authority do Los Angeles School Police Officers have?
A: Upon graduation from the Police Academy, Los Angeles School Police Officers are fully sworn with all privileges and authority granted by the State of California Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). Unlike most metropolitan police departments however, Los Angeles School Police Officers are required to complete additional training on issues regarding juvenile law.
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Q: What opportunities are there to meet and speak with LASPD Police Officers?
A: Officers from the LASPD Recruitment Unit attend many Career / Job Fairs in an effort to not only inspire young adults to join our law enforcement community, but to educate the general public about the Department's responsibilities and goals. For a listing of dates and locations, please check here.
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Q: What hours and assignments can I expect to work?
A: All officers can expect a change of shift and/or assignment each Deployment Period (DP). This does not mean a change is mandatory but it is based on Department wide needs.
The LASPD operates with three primary patrol shifts every day - day watch (0630-1630), mid-day watch (1230-2230), and early-morning watch (2130-0730). In contrast, Campus Police Officers generally, but not exclusively, work during their assignment hours and only weekdays. Specialized units (TCU, K-9, SRT, etc.,) have their own internally adjusted shifts.
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Q: Will you hire me if I have been arrested or convicted of a crime?
A: Each applicant’s circumstances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, felony convictions will make you ineligible. It is possible to be considered for employment with a prior, non-felonious arrest and/or conviction.
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Q: Am I eligible to be hired if I experimented with drugs a long time ago?
A: Again, each applicant’s circumstances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. It is possible to be considered for employment with prior drug use.
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Q: What is the hiring process?
A: You must: (1) submit an written application, (2) pass a written exam, (3) complete an oral interview, (4) pass the LASPD Physical Assessment Test, (5) pass a polygraph examination, (6) complete a thorough background investigation, (7) pass a medical examination, and (8) pass a psychological evaluation.
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Q: Are there good opportunities for special assignments and promotions?
A: The Los Angeles School Police Department offers more upward mobility than most metropolitan police departments. After a police officer completes their probationary training period, they are eligible to compete for assignment to many specialized units including Foot Beat (Campus Officer), Canine, Traffic Enforcement, Training, or Technology. Any officer is eligible for promotion after three years of field assignment on foot beat or uniformed patrol. The first promotional rank is to Senior Police Officer, or to Detective in an investigative assignment.
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Q: What is the starting salary?
A: The starting salary is $41,002. A higher salary is available to individuals who have 6 or more months experience as a sworn Police Officer in the State of California or posses a bachelor’s degree in Police Science or related field.
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Q: What are the benefit packages?
A: Benefits include paid vacation, holidays and illness, and employer paid medical, dental, and vision care policies for employees and their eligible dependents. Additional benefits include:
- Longevity pay 7 1/2% at 8 1/2 years service
- P.O.S.T. incentive pay ($75 intermediate, $125 advanced)
- Safety members retirement - 3% at 50 formula
- State P.E.R.S.
7% retirement contribution paid by the L.A.U.S.D.
- $750 per year
uniform maintenance allowance for all uniformed assignments
- Bilingual
incentives
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Q: How do I apply?
A: Start here.
Q: Is there an expedited hiring process for out-of-state applicants?
A: Yes. Out-of-state applicants must contact a background investigator @ 213-742-8208 or 213-742-8206 for specific allowances.
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Q: If I am currently employed as a California Peace Officer (lateral), am I eligible to waive any portion of the hiring process?
A: Yes. A lateral applicant employed as a peace officer with another California Police or Sheriff Department within the past 3 years is eligible to waive the Written portion of the hiring process. Applicant must possess a Basic P.O.S.T. certificate and a copy of this certificate should be included with the applicant's Police Officer application.
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Q: If I do not have access to a computer to download the 2 part Police Officer application, what are my options?
A: All California Public Libraries have computers with Internet access. Please inform the library staff you must download and print a PDF file. If a PDF viewer is not installed on the library computers, a free PDF viewer is available here.
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Q: As a U.S. Military Veteran, am I eligible for extra points during the hiring process?
A: U.S. Military Veterans are eligible for a 5 or 10 point bonus, which is applied after successful completion of the Oral Interview portion of the hiring process. 5 points will be awarded to an applicant involved in a major conflict while on active duty. 10 points will be awarded to an applicant classified as a Disabled Veteran. A certified copy of the applicant's DD214 must be submitted at the Oral Interview.
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Q: Should I anticipate any personal expenditures during the Police Academy?
A: Candidates who successfully complete the hiring process and are subsequently hired will meet with Police Officers assigned to the Training Section. These officers are in-charge of the LASPD Pre-Academy and will brief new Police Cadets the first day regarding items to be purchased at the Cadet's own expense. Cadets should expect to spend approximately $500 for miscellaneous duty gear and supplies over the course of the 4 - 6 week Pre-Academy and the 6 month Police Academy. Police Cadets are Police Department employees and will earn a monthly salary beginning on the date of hire.
During Pre-Academy, Cadets are issued full leather duty gear and three sets of Academy uniforms. One month prior to graduation, Cadets are issued a minimum set of Police Officer uniforms in preparation for graduation.
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Q: What should I do to prepare for the mental and physical demands of the Police Academy?
A: Ideally, candidates should have prepared for a career as a Police Officer years prior to applying with any law enforcement agency. LASPD Officers must be ready to deal with a myriad of stressful situations including, foot pursuits and vehicle pursuits, missing children and the frightened parents, and service calls such as burglary, robbery, rape, and domestic violence. Often times the victim looks to the Police Officer for consolation.
A well-balanced eating habit, consistent physical exercise, lots of rest and family support will ensure every candidate "survives" the demands of the hiring process, the Police Academy, and subsequent Law Enforcement Career.
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Ride-alongs are limited to members of the press, and Police Candidates who have successfully completed the Written Exam portion of the hiring process. All other request are handled on a case-by-case basis. Police Candidates are highly encouraged to participate for obvious reasons.
Participants must contact the Watch Officer to request a ride-along by calling (213) 742-8013.
All ride-alongs will take place during Day (0700-1600 hours) watch with case-by-case exceptions for Mid-day (1230-2230 hours) watch. NO ride-alongs will be authorized for (Early-morning (2130-0730 hours) watch. Participants must arrive dressed in casual business attire (collared shirt, undershirt, dress pants, shoes) and must present a valid California Driver License.
A criminal history and driving history check will be conducted on all participants upon arrival at Police Headquarters. Any participant with a questionable background will not be allowed to participate. Additionally, we will arrest any participant found to have an outstanding warrant.
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The LASPD Pre-Academy was established to prepare Police Cadets for the 6 month Police Academy. All LASPD Police Cadets attend Pre-Academy, which begins 4 - 6 weeks prior to the Police Academy. All topics discussed in the Academy are covered, although at an extremely compressed pace. Pre-Academy Cadets participate in academic and physical training just as in the Police Academy and will be disqualified (DQ'd) prior to the Police Academy if it is determined by the Training Section that there is insufficient compatibility with a Law Enforcement Career. Cadets are encouraged to improve but reminded that it is not possible for everyone to become a Police Officer.
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