| To join the Los Angeles police force, | | | | preparation for the Academy. |
| download the formal job listing as | | | | Step 4 - Background Investigation |
| posted by the City of Los Angeles. | | | | The Background Investigation begins with |
| In general, you will need to be | | | | completion of a Personal History Form |
| prepared, do some studying and be honest | | | | (which requires compilation of extensive |
| and forthcoming. For in-depth detail on | | | | biographical information), completion of |
| each step in the process and how to | | | | additional questionnaires, |
| prepare for it, visit Prepare for the | | | | fingerprinting, and an interview with a |
| Tests and find the Police Department | | | | background investigator. If you meet the |
| recruitment downloads section. | | | | City's standards, a thorough background |
| There are nine police officer | | | | investigation will be conducted. It will |
| description steps to the application | | | | include checks of employment, police, |
| process: | | | | financial, education, and military |
| Step 1 - Preliminary Background | | | | records and interviews with family |
| Application (PBA) and Job Preview | | | | members, neighbors, supervisors, |
| Questionnaire (JPQ) | | | | co-workers, and friends. |
| All applicants must complete the | | | | Step 5 - Polygraph |
| on-line, interactive Preliminary | | | | The Polygraph examination is conducted |
| Background Application (PBA) and Job | | | | to confirm information obtained during |
| Preview Questionnaire (JPQ). The online | | | | your background interview. |
| PBA will identify issues that you should | | | | Step 6 - Department Interview |
| resolve before beginning the selection | | | | The Department Interview will be |
| process and will tell you if you have a | | | | conducted by a panel to assess your |
| realistic chance of success in the | | | | personal accomplishment, job motivation, |
| background investigation portion of the | | | | continuous learning orientation, |
| selection process. The online JPQ | | | | instrumentality, interpersonal skills, |
| includes questions designed to help you | | | | and oral communication skills. Only |
| better understand the nature of Police | | | | those candidates who are selected during |
| Officer work. Bring the printed results | | | | this part of the process will move |
| with you to the test site. | | | | forward in the selection process |
| Step 2 - Personal Qualifications Essay | | | | Step 7 - Medical Evaluation and |
| (PQE) | | | | Psychological Evaluation |
| The Personal Qualifications Essay (PQE) | | | | The Medical Evaluation is thorough and |
| consists of essay questions related to | | | | it is essential that you be in excellent |
| judgement and decision making and | | | | health with no conditions, which would |
| behavioral flexibility. Your written | | | | restrict your ability to safely do |
| communication skill will also be | | | | police work. Written psychological tests |
| evaluated. The passing score that you | | | | and the second portion of the PAT will |
| receive will determine your placement on | | | | also be administered at this time. The |
| the eligible list. If you fail, you may | | | | medical evaluation also includes a |
| retake the PQE after three months. | | | | Psychological Evaluation that consists |
| Step 3 - Physical Abilities Test (PAT) | | | | of an individual oral interview and |
| The Physical Abilities Test (PAT) | | | | evaluation by a City psychologist on |
| consists of two portions. The first | | | | factors related to successful |
| portion is designed to measure strength, | | | | performance in the difficult and |
| agility, and endurance. The second | | | | stressful job of Police Officer. The |
| portion measures aerobic capacity and it | | | | information evaluated includes the |
| will be administered usually at the time | | | | written psychological tests as well as |
| of the medical evaluation. It is a pass | | | | the background findings. |
| fail test. Many applicants train for | | | | Step 8 - Certification and Appointment |
| this test either by participating in the | | | | The Certification and Appointment / |
| free Candidate Assistance Program | | | | Pre-employment Substance Screening are |
| offered by the LAPD or by training on | | | | the final steps in the selection |
| their own. The physical fitness program | | | | process. To be considered for hiring, |
| at the Academy is intensely rigorous, | | | | you must have successfully completed all |
| and passing the Physical Abilities Test | | | | steps in the selection process. When a |
| does not guarantee that you will be fit | | | | candidate is appointed will depend on |
| enough to pass the Academy Program. This | | | | the next available class date, selection |
| is why most dedicated applicants will | | | | by LAPD management, and accordance with |
| continue to train after the PAT, in | | | | provisions of the Consent Decree. |