POLICE SPECIALIST (LATERAL)

Police Specialist

Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer. Check for details.

As a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department, a Police Specialist maintains order, enforces laws and ordinances, and protects life and property; works with neighborhood associations and community members as a planner, community organizer, problem solver and information link; issues citations, makes arrests, prepares reports, and provides information to the public and departmental units; and does related work.

Requirement(s)/Minimum Qualification(s)

Possess a current California Basic P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Certificate at the time of application; or Have standing as an LAPD Line Reserve Officer with Certified Designated level 1 (CDL) status; or A Basic Course Waiver issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training; and

Meet other standards including those pertaining to vision, physical capability, health conditions, and background applicable to Police Officer. You must also be 21 years of age at the time of hire. Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

In addition to the regular City application, all applicants MUST complete the entry-level Peace Officer Supplemental Questionnaire at the time of filing. Applicants who fail to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire will not be considered further in this examination, and their application will not be processed.

Applicants MUST review the corresponding "Essential Duties and Work Conditions for Entry-level Peace Officers" for critical, detailed information about the entry-level Peace Officer position duties and work conditions. The document is available on-line at

As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.

Candidates MUST currently meet or be able to meet all standards set forth by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA POST) to be considered for the position of Police Specialist.

Any history of illegal drug use may be evaluated during the background investigation and can result in disqualification depending on the type of substance, frequency, and recency of use. Ongoing compliance with the City's drug and alcohol policies is required as a condition of employment.

Because this class has been designated as Safety Sensitive in accordance with City Policy, a drug and alcohol screening test shall be required prior to appointment and during employment.

Applicants will be disqualified from the Police Specialist examination if any of the following events applies: (1) they have been decertified by the California POST Commission by a revocation or voluntary surrender of their certification; (2) they are ineligible to serve as a peace officer pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code section 1029; or (3) they fail to requalify for POST certification or obtain a valid waiver at the time of submission of their employment application for the position of Police Specialist.

Candidates must comply with all current Department grooming and appearance policies, including, but not limited to policies related to tattoos and/or brandings, as outlined in the LAPD Manual Section 605, Airport Police Manual Chapter 6, and LA Port Police Policy Manual Section 1044.

Candidates completing the selection process are required to provide proof of qualifying documentation. Applicants must attach a copy of their current California Basic P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Certificate, a copy of their proof of standing as an LAPD Line Reserve Officer with Certified Designated level 1 (CDL) status, or a copy of their Basic Course Waiver issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section for verification. Applicants must attach a copy of their current, official CA POST Profile to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section for verification.

Selection Process

The examination will consist of a qualifying multiple-choice test, a qualifying physical abilities test (PAT), and an interview. The qualifying multiple-choice test will evaluate the following competencies: Judgment and Decision Making and Written Communication, including spelling, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and clarity. Your passing score does not expire. The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered in person. Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the multiple-choice test, which will be held in a single half-day session in Los Angeles.

Candidates unable to appear in person for the multiple-choice test may request to test remotely (i.e., their home) by following the instructions provided in their test notice. Please note that remote testing requires you to have access to a computer with a working webcam and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a private, distraction-free testing environment. Failure to submit a request by the deadline will confirm your attendance at the scheduled in-person session.

All candidates who receive a passing score on the multiple-choice test will be invited to participate in a qualifying Physical Abilities Test (PAT). The qualifying PAT will evaluate the following competency: Physical Capabilities, including the ability to perform physically demanding tasks under stressful conditions, while maintaining endurance, agility, and strength necessary for law enforcement duties. Candidates invited to participate in the PAT will be required to complete four events: maximum sit-ups in one minute, 300-meter sprint, maximum push-ups in one minute, and 1.5-mile run. To complete the Physical Abilities Test (PAT), you must attempt all four events. Failure to attempt any event will result in a failing score for the entire test. Your passing score will expire after 12 months. Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the PAT, which will be held in a single half-day session in Los Angeles.

Candidates who pass the PAT will be invited for an Interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Experience, Judgment and Decision Making (Problem Solving Ability); Initiative; Stress Tolerance; Job Interest (Interest/Motivation); Interpersonal Skills; Community Relations (Community Involvement/Awareness), including the importance of cultural sensitivity and community-oriented policing practices with the ability to interact respectfully, professionally, and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds; and Oral communication (Communication Skills). Your interview score will determine your rank on the eligible list. Your passing score will expire after 12 months. The interview will be conducted in person. Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which will be held in Los Angeles.

Candidates unable to appear in person for the interview may request a virtual interview conducted remotely (i.e., their home) by following the instructions provided in their interview notice. Please note that a virtual interview requires you to have access to a computer with a working webcam and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a private, distraction-free testing environment. Failure to submit a request by the deadline will confirm your attendance at the scheduled in-person interview.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to and clicking on Competencies under Police Officer.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is committed to helping applicants succeed throughout the selection process. To support you on your journey to becoming a Police Officer with the City of Los Angeles, the LAPD offers free resources designed to prepare and guide you every step of the way. For more information or to register for any of these programs, please visit

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: The investigation begins with completion of a Personal History Statement (PHS) and will include fingerprinting and a background interview. The investigation also includes checks of employment, police, financial, education, and military records and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends. Findings are valid for 12 months. A polygraph examination will be conducted prior to your field investigation to confirm information obtained during the selection process. The processing guidelines for the polygraph examination may be revised periodically. All candidates will be processed according to the current guidelines, not the guidelines which were in place when they applied.

Any conviction by a state, the federal government, or a foreign government of a crime, the punishment for which would have been imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or the state prison (felony) will result in a disqualification. Note: Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic