seeking LAPD academy info

[0213Recruit]

it looks like i will be attending the march '02 lapd academy and im just trying to get as much info about the academy's day to day routine as i can...im ready (or so i think) for the drill instructor type abuse but i want to know what the days typically consist of in regards to pt, classroom, range, etc, etc....and how things progress over the next 7 months....i read hk_precop message on the first week but couldnt find anything after that....if you can inform me i would be appreciative...thanks in advance!

[kenoshacop]

Congrats on getting in with LAPD. I along with several others on this board are currently in the process with them. I'm trying to make arrangements with the public safety office to come back out there and take my polygraph exam and redo some of the tests as they have expired. I've been calling them every couple weeks and keep getting told it'll be a couple weeks before they can call me back. I've been trying to get this trip set up since the 1st week of december (when they 1st called and wanted me to come out the next week. which I could have done if they would have returned my calls.)

I obviously don't have any insight into the day to day operation of their academy, but just wanted to say hello and congrats from a hopeful LAPD'er to a soon to be one!

Kenoshacop

[VooDoo]

Here's a hint...On the first day of the academy, be sure you have a penny in your sock!! It sounds ridiculous, however my buddy just graduated from the academy in LA and told me this would have gotten him out of alot of PC..... I guess this is some sort of tradition passed every year by the instructors...They tell everyone to now remove the penny from their sock as it is stated in the academy info packet they were assgned. When no one pulls out the penny, the instructor acts totally mad and rants and raves......The result of not knowing you were supposed to bring the penny : LOTS OF RUNNING.... Hope this helps...
VooDoo;)

[stein810]

I see from your location u are from wisconsin??? How do they work with out of towners?? It is the run around or do they get the process moving along?? I have considered it a few times but going from detroit to los angeles i dont think would be a step up dealing with the crime and all that. i think i am ready for a cushy job.... ;) who knows.




Originally posted by kenoshacop
Congrats on getting in with LAPD. I along with several others on this board are currently in the process with them. I'm trying to make arrangements with the public safety office to come back out there and take my polygraph exam and redo some of the tests as they have expired. I've been calling them every couple weeks and keep getting told it'll be a couple weeks before they can call me back. I've been trying to get this trip set up since the 1st week of december (when they 1st called and wanted me to come out the next week. which I could have done if they would have returned my calls.)

I obviously don't have any insight into the day to day operation of their academy, but just wanted to say hello and congrats from a hopeful LAPD'er to a soon to be one!

Kenoshacop

[0213Recruit]

the lapd out of towner process couldnt have been more accomodating for my group..i was part of a group of about 6 out of towners this summer in july....in four days we did every piece of testing required including polygraph....it was nice to know in just a short week if you had made it or not (pending the background)...it went by fairly fast in my opinion i tested in july and had an academy date for january but it arrived too late in the mail for me to reply in time so i got deferred to march....july-january is quick in my book...let me know if you have any questions about the testing or a good place to stay if you decide to head west.

[kenoshacop]

stein810,

The initial out of towner process was great. In October of 2000, they were giving the written test in Chicago which is about 1 hr away. I went down and passed that. Then in January of 2001 I went out there for about 5 days and did the PAT, interview, written/oral psych, background interview, and medical. I scored a 100 on my interview which is based on qualifications, etc. (7 years of LE experience probably helped). However, I was deferred medically as I needed to lose 10 lbs. I did that and sent them a doctor's note indicating such in July.

Since then, I have been getting the run around, big time. The first week of Dec. they called me to try and get my polygraph set up. They called on a fri. afternoon and wondered if I could be out there the next Thurs/Fri. I told them to give me an hour to see if i could find a flight, etc. I did find one, however when I called back,I got voicemail. I had the same problem for the next 6 days and left messages and never got a return call. On Dec. 24, I called and was told they had mailed me a letter on Dec. 21 which would have the available dates for the polygraph.

As of Jan. 4, I hadn't received any letter so I called again. I was told they don't send letters and whoever had told me that was wrong, the lady in charge of out of towners would call me. The person I spoke with then says, "you need to take you poly soon, as some of your tests expire in the end of Jan. We'll have her call you, but she's real busy, so it'll be 2-3 weeks." 3 weeks passed with no phone call, so I called again. I was told she was real busy and it would be another 1-2 weeks before she called. Those 2 weeks went by with no phone call, and I called again last friday. She's real busy, "but your in her list of people to call," they didn't know when she would be calling me this time.

The way it sounds, they have one lady that is in charge of scheduling ALL of the out of town candidates for all of their tests. It's frustrating, but I'm ready for a change of scenery, so all I can do is wait. Meanwhile, my PAT, background interview, and another test have expired. Plus they never started my full background investigation so that has to be done as well.

Kenoshacop

[stein810]

awhile back i believe in 2000 or 1999 lapd came to lansing michigan for testing. i didnt go but should have, it was before i got on the detroit police department. i heard that test wasnt that hard. then in jan 2000 i talked to a lapd recruiter and sent me a pre app / background form. i really wouldnt mind on going out there but i have the action in detroit and i guess if i were to leave i want to tone it down a little. i have always wanted to go out there. i have a friend that works my shift who went to the wilshire district and said those officers were the coolest. they wanted to take him on a ride along but his wife wouldnt go for it. he said their equipment was state of the art and the scout cars were brand new. that is the kind of agency to work for. i know it will be in the back of mind to go out there. i am really wanting to get into a florida department right now.





Originally posted by 0213Recruit
the lapd out of towner process couldnt have been more accomodating for my group..i was part of a group of about 6 out of towners this summer in july....in four days we did every piece of testing required including polygraph....it was nice to know in just a short week if you had made it or not (pending the background)...it went by fairly fast in my opinion i tested in july and had an academy date for january but it arrived too late in the mail for me to reply in time so i got deferred to march....july-january is quick in my book...let me know if you have any questions about the testing or a good place to stay if you decide to head west.

[stein810]

sorry to hear that. it does sound like you are getting the run around. i dont see why they said you had to lose 10lbs. i would definitly think you could lose that in the academy and then some! sounds like bs to me. i know detroit is different but they hire all kinda of people within reason and they definitly lose the weight by the end of the academy and then of course put it back on when they get out of the academy. i can relate when you say you want a change of scenery. i am tired of looking and the ghettos and dealing with all the ghetto people all the time. i am in the process of certifying myself with florida and will end up down there somewhere. i dont know if i would totally write off lapd but it sounds like its now a waste of time and a bother. what department do you work for currently?



Originally posted by kenoshacop
stein810,

The initial out of towner process was great. In October of 2000, they were giving the written test in Chicago which is about 1 hr away. I went down and passed that. Then in January of 2001 I went out there for about 5 days and did the PAT, interview, written/oral psych, background interview, and medical. I scored a 100 on my interview which is based on qualifications, etc. (7 years of LE experience probably helped). However, I was deferred medically as I needed to lose 10 lbs. I did that and sent them a doctor's note indicating such in July.

Since then, I have been getting the run around, big time. The first week of Dec. they called me to try and get my polygraph set up. They called on a fri. afternoon and wondered if I could be out there the next Thurs/Fri. I told them to give me an hour to see if i could find a flight, etc. I did find one, however when I called back,I got voicemail. I had the same problem for the next 6 days and left messages and never got a return call. On Dec. 24, I called and was told they had mailed me a letter on Dec. 21 which would have the available dates for the polygraph.

As of Jan. 4, I hadn't received any letter so I called again. I was told they don't send letters and whoever had told me that was wrong, the lady in charge of out of towners would call me. The person I spoke with then says, "you need to take you poly soon, as some of your tests expire in the end of Jan. We'll have her call you, but she's real busy, so it'll be 2-3 weeks." 3 weeks passed with no phone call, so I called again. I was told she was real busy and it would be another 1-2 weeks before she called. Those 2 weeks went by with no phone call, and I called again last friday. She's real busy, "but your in her list of people to call," they didn't know when she would be calling me this time.

The way it sounds, they have one lady that is in charge of scheduling ALL of the out of town candidates for all of their tests. It's frustrating, but I'm ready for a change of scenery, so all I can do is wait. Meanwhile, my PAT, background interview, and another test have expired. Plus they never started my full background investigation so that has to be done as well.

Kenoshacop

[kenoshacop]

stein810,

I currently work for the Kenosha County Sheriff's dept. We are located on Lake Michigan, about 1/2 way between Chicago and Milwaukee on the WI/IL border. We have about 100 sworn personnel, but only 40 for 3 shifts of patrol, which means about 7-8 guys working per shift. The county's total population is around 140-150,000, but about 110,000 of that is patrolled by 1 city and 3 village pd's.

It's been a good dept. to start with, as I've gotten more training/specialization than i can remember. But I'm just not happy here and I don't see things getting any better. Since we have so few cars on the road, it's tough to go out looking for trouble, because if we get a couple squads tied up on calls, that leaves us with no backup and I won't stop granny with a tail light out if I don't at least have backup available.

Anyways, I've looked all over the US for different depts. to apply for and even though LA has had their problems, I still think they're one of the top if not the top dept. in the country. I am frustrated, but everyone out "there" I talk with says that it's a matter of when, not if I get hired. So for now, I just wait by the phone.

Kenoshacop