LAPD: Things You Really Need to Know

So, you want to become a police officer and the LAPD is the dream. We get it—the LAPD is one of the most recognizable police services in the US, if not the world. Aside from the world-renowned police work of the LAPD, the police force is featured prominently in many television shows and movies.

Police work is demanding but rewarding. You are tasked with ensuring the safety of citizens of the jurisdiction in which you work and ensuring that laws are upheld. Exceptional people are suited to police work. Coupled with the responsibility of being armed and protecting communities, it is no wonder that being hired as a police officer is not an easy task.

If the LAPD is your goal, how do you get hired? In this article, we will fill you in on the process of getting hired as a police officer for the LAPD and what you need to know to increase your chances of being hired.

How Do You Get Hired by the LAPD?

The first step in the hiring process is to ensure that you meet the minimum prerequisites for hiring. Some of these requirements are as follows:

Must be 20 at application and 21 before you graduate from the police academy
Must be a citizen of the US or granted the ability to work in the US.
Possess a high school diploma, GED, or a California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), or a degree from a two or four degree from a US or foreign institution can substitute for the high school diploma or GED.
Possess a 'background befitting a police officer.'

Once you have confirmed that you meet these, visit the LAPD website and click “application” under the opportunities menu. This will send you to the recruitment site so you can start the process.

Do I Need to be a Resident of the City of Los Angeles?

You do not need to live in the City of Los Angeles to join the LAPD. But if you live in LA or the surrounding areas, you will be more familiar with the places you might be patrolling, which will make your job easier.

Living outside of the area may be more amenable for you; however, activities that integrate you and solidify yourself as a community member can help you in your career as an LAPD officer.

What Type of Background Can You Have to Join the LAPD?

The Los Angeles Police Department requires that candidates have a background befitting a police officer. What does this mean exactly?

The LAPD wants you to have been a law-abiding citizen with good moral character and strong values. As you will be responsible for ensuring that the cities policed by the LAPD are safe from corruption and crime, you must possess the above qualities and good ethics. When you have applied for a position, another one of the criteria is that you have demonstrated that you are committed to personal and professional growth.

How does the LAPD know any of this about you? You will be subject to a comprehensive background check.

Some of the inquiries into your background will include:

Exercising fiscal responsibility (money matters)
Employing safe driving practices (good driving record)
Maintaining stable employment (no history of being terminated or jumping from job to job)
Obeying laws, rules, regulations, and orders (law-abiding citizen)
Military accomplishments (must have an honorable discharge)

You will also need to be free from a history of emotional outbursts or violence. You will need to have proven characteristics and skills that show that you can display empathy, cooperation, and compassion.

Failure to meet any of the background standards expected by the LAPD in their police candidates will result in not being hired.

Are There Tests Before Being Hired by the LAPD?

It would be rare to find a job in law enforcement that does not require success on an aptitude test and physical fitness test (and possibly more) before a candidate is hired.

The LAPD requires the following steps to be met before a candidate is hired:

Application for a position
Successfully complete a multiple-choice test
Complete a personal history statement for the background check
Complete a successful interview, polygraph, and physical fitness qualifier test
Complete a successful medical evaluation
Complete a successful field investigation
Successfully pass a psychological evaluation

The higher you score on your multiple-choice and physical fitness qualifying test, the higher your chances of being hired by the LAPD. As a result, you must be prepared for the tests to be successful. You can do this by studying for the aptitude test and ensuring physical fitness with training.

What Factors Affect Your Chances of Being Hired by the LAPD?

Several factors will affect your eligibility and chances of being hired by the LAPD.

Driving record

If you have tickets, they will be examined on a case-by-case basis, and the number of tickets issued and their dates will also be a factor. The nature of the ticket will be considered—especially moving violations.

Tattoos

Tattoos will be considered on a case-by-case basis; offensive or inappropriate tattoos will likely disqualify you from being hired. Candidates hired with tattoos will need to take measures to ensure that the tattoos are not visible to the public while on duty.

Financial history

A poor credit score will be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and the state of the economy (the downturn) will be considered. The financial status is a part of the process because your risk level for impropriety could be higher.

Preference will likely go to a candidate who has the better credit and is more mature, stable, and financially responsible.

How Long is the Hiring Process?

The hiring process for an LAPD officer takes, generally, about 6-9 months. Most delays are a result of the candidate. It could be from taking a long time to test, not completing the correct paperwork or even background references that are unresponsive or slow to respond. If you are not prepared, this will affect your hiring timeline, so it is essential to be ready and prompt to complete each task.

It is free to apply, and all of the test portions are free of charge, too. Once you are hired and attending the police academy, you will start to earn your salary and benefits.

Being Prepared to Test

As we mentioned, the best way to boost your chances of being hired by the LAPD is to be as prepared as possible and have a great score on your tests.

Using Police Test Tutor, the only certified Emergency Services Career Specialist in the world, is making an investment in your future. Police Test Tutor can help you prepare for the interview process or supply a masterfully written resume crafted for your specific application.

If you are ready to get started on your journey to becoming an LAPD officer today, check out Police Test Tutor here.