To become a Los Angeles police officer, you have to pass a series of tests and undergo training.You can apply to be a detective after many years of experience.To become a police officer, you have to meet some basic eligibility requirements.
Step 1: Receive your high school certificate.
You can take the California High School Proficiency Examination to get a General Education Development certificate.The minimum requirement for becoming a Los Angeles Police Officer is a high school education.In lieu of a high school equivalency certificate, you can submit a 2 or 4 year degree.
Step 2: Be of a certain age.
You must be at least 21 years old to be a LA police officer.You must be 21 by the time you are hired on if you apply earlier.
Step 3: Make sure you are a citizen.
You can be a permanent resident alien if you have applied for citizenship.When applying to become a police officer, you will have to prove your status.
Step 4: You can earn a 2 to 4 year degree.
This level of education is not required to get a detective spot, but it is helpful in getting a promotion early on.You should get a degree in police science or criminal justice.Pre-law could be helpful.
Step 5: If you want to be a city police officer, apply.
There are jobs for the local police department on the City of Los Angeles website.To become a police detective, you need to download the job you want.The next step is the beginning of the application.
Step 6: The Public Safety application can be completed online.
There is a section titled "How to Apply" on the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department website.The Public Safety Online Application can be found when you click on that section.If you are a first-time user, you will need to create an account to fill out this part of the application.This part of the application process will help you decide if you are a good fit for being a police officer.There are four parts to it.biographical information will be asked in the first part.Information on recruitment will be requested in the second part.Pre-background check is the third part.It will give you an idea of what to expect with your background check.The instruction on what the job entails will help you decide if this job is the one for you.Even though you don't need a perfect record to be a police officer, you do need to improve your situation at the time you apply and these positions are hard to come by, as many other people are applying, too.
Step 7: Print off the Public Safety Online Application.
You will need to print it off once you have completed the application.For the next part of the application process, you must have it with you.
Step 8: The test is written.
There are a number of essay questions on the written test.It's a test to see how well you can communicate on paper.There is a schedule of tests on the Los Angeles Police Department Academy website.You have to take the first application with you when you go.How well you adapt to certain situations will be evaluated on this test.You need to communicate well because you have to fill out reports and logs on the job.The academy recommends that you take an English course at a community college if your communication skills aren't great.You have to show you can make good decisions if you want to keep a situation from getting out of hand.You have to be able to adapt to many different situations, from being alone on the job to being on a team.You are showing how your past experience has prepared you to be a police officer.If you don't give enough detail or provide inadequate examples of how you solved problems in the past, you could fail this section.You may fail if you tend to talk too much.If you don't have enough information, you could fail.You must have a valid ID to take the test.If you don't pass, you can take another test in 6 months.It's better to score higher if you're competing against other candidates.If you do well, you will be contacted for the next part of the application process.Make sure you understand the whole question by planning your answer in your head.Make sure your spelling is perfect.
Step 9: Do you know your background?
You will need to do a background check at this time.You have to provide biographical details.You must be willing to be fingerprints.A polygraph test is part of this section.They may talk to your friends, family, and co-workers if they check up on all the information you have provided.The biographical information section is the first part of the section.On the day of your background check, the investigator will talk to you about any issues she sees on your statement.Be honest.It's a good idea to be upfront about anything questionable in your background because it will likely be found out in the field investigation.It's fine to dress business casual for this portion.The police department encourages you to be comfortable and not to dress up too much.Interpersonal skills, sensitivity, and respect for others are some of the skills you will be judged on.Before your polygraph, be sure to get enough rest and eat well.
Step 10: You have to pass the physical abilities test.
To be a police officer, you have to meet certain physical standards.The test is taken in two parts.If you don't do well on the test, you will not be accepted into the academy or the job.The test is pass or fail.You will need to show your strength and endurance in the first part.There are three ways you can demonstrate this ability: side step, slide to a line four feet to the right and left, and cable pull.The first test will have an average of two tries, while the second will be three.You must pass the Medical Evaluation before you can look at how much aerobic endurance you have.You have to run on a treadmill for 10 minutes and 20 seconds, but it is supposed to be the equivalent of 1.5 miles run in 14 minutes.If you fail the test, you have to take a mock test called the Pfq before you take the exam.The Candidate Assistance Program provides physical training for four days a week at various locations.
Step 11: The interview is for the department.
You'll move on to the department interview if you pass the first part of the physical test.The panel from the police department conducted this interview.The panel will try to assess your suitability for the job, your oral communication skills, and your past accomplishments.You will be offered a job if you do well.If you don't do well, you may be interviewed again in 3 months, but you can take it quicker if you attend an orientation seminar.You can prepare for the interview by going to Oral Prep.It is offered on the second Thursday of the month.It ends at 7:30 PM.The Ronald Deaton Civic Auditorium is where Oral Prep is located.
Step 12: The medical evaluation needs to be passed.
If you are healthy enough to be a police officer, you need to take this exam.They will administer psychological tests to see if you are healthy.Your body fat will be looked at first by the medical portion.As a woman, you can't have more than 30 percent body fat, and as a man, less than 22 percent.If you wore glasses, you must be able to see 20/30 in each eye and 20/40 in at least one eye.Without glasses, you must be able to see 20/70.It doesn't matter what your sight is without soft contacts, you must be able to see 20/30 in both eyes.You have to be able to see color.You need to pass a hearing test.You will be interviewed by a psychologist.If you have a mental condition, this person will look at your medical history to see if it affects your job.If you have a mental illness, you may be disqualified from the process.If you have a disorder, your application will not be thrown out; the police force just wants to make sure you are capable of doing the job.
Step 13: You need to get your certification and appointment.
You will be certified with the police department once you have completed all the steps.The police department only recommends the best candidates if you want to go to the police academy.You will be checked for substance abuse before your appointment.
Step 14: Be selected.
You will attend the academy for half a year after being selected.You don't need to pay for the training.The training is not easy.You are paid a salary while you are training.
Step 15: The focus should be on classroom training.
Many of the things you do at the academy will be focused on the classroom.You will cover many areas.The law is one of the main areas that you will cover.You need to know the law so you can enforce it.You will also be spending time on human relations.You will need to learn how to deal with stress, relate to the community, and react appropriately to cultural issues.You will need to learn how to investigate, communicate, and write reports.You will need to learn how to perform traffic stops.
Step 16: You can learn driving skills.
Driving skills are one area you'll focus on.The best way to chase suspects and how to drive defensively are some of the things that will be covered in this section.You will learn how to perform these maneuvers safely.
Step 17: Train in tactics.
You will be taught how to use a shotgun and a sidearm.You will be trained to handle chemical weapons.You'll learn how to shoot them well while undergoing this training.When you approach crimes that are already happening or when you enter a building to search, you'll learn what you need to do.When deadly force is necessary and when you should draw your gun are some of the things you'll learn.
Step 18: You should develop physical fitness.
You must be physically fit to enter the academy, but you will continue your physical training while there.You will work on physical conditioning.The physical parts of the job will be taught to you.
Step 19: You can learn LAPD training.
You can enter the workforce of the Los Angeles Police Department with specific training.You will learn about the in-car computer, performing operations with dogs, and many other topics.
Step 20: It is necessary to complete field training.
You will need to complete a year of field training after being at the academy.During that time, you will be a patrol officer, and you'll be at the rank of Police Officer I, which is the lowest rank in the police force.The Training Officer will help guide you through your first year as a police officer.
Step 21: Go to Police Officer II.
It is easy to move up to this rank.One year of on-the-job training is all you need to complete your academy training.You become a Police Officer II once that time is up.You are considered to be a Police Officer II.A higher-ranking officer will be watching you while you are a Police Officer II.You will be a patrol officer as well as a police officer.You will usually respond to emergency calls, talk to witnesses, and make reports afterwards.
Step 22: Become a police officer.
You gain the rank of Police Officer III when you move up to Police officer II.You can complete 3 years as a Police Officer II.You enforce the laws as a police officer.Even though you can make arrests, you will still write reports on what you see as a police officer.
Step 23: Take the exams.
You can become a detective after four years on the police force.You need to take an exam and interview for this position.The test will show you what you need to know to be a detective.If you want to pass the exam, you'll need to study.
Step 24: Pass the interview.
You will need to pass another interview after you pass the exam.The panel will ask you if you have the skills to be a detective.