How to Become a Los Angeles Police Officer

1) Earn an associate's or bachelor's degree. (Criminal Justice Degrees are the most common for LAPD Officers)
2) Read the requirements to become an LAPD police officer below and make sure you qualify.
3) Contact the Los Angeles Police Dept. recruiting office to request application materials, call 866-444-5273

Los Angeles Police Officer Job Description

Over 9,200 sworn Los Angeles Police Officers work for the LAPD patrolling 465 square miles of Los Angeles by boat, bike, foot, car, horse, motorcycle, and plane. There are 250 divisions to advance a career in and all officers will start their career as in the patrol division. Patrol officers provide safety to the communities responding to calls, investigating crimes, apprehending suspects, act as liaisons in their assigned communities, and many other related duties. This is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country and affords officers the unique opportunity to be both challenged and rewarded on a daily basis.

Los Angeles Police Academy Training, Prerequisites and Educational Requirements

The Los Angeles Police Department requires applicants to be 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, GED or equivalent, those officers with an associate's degree and higher earn higher salaries, valid driver's license, no "class A" misdemeanor or felony, no "b class" misdemeanor in last 10 years and to pass an intense background investigation and physical testing. Once accepted to the Los Angeles Police Department you will attend training at the LAPD police academy for 8 months and will earn their full starting salary.  Further training will be in the field with an LAPD field training officer where all skills learned at the Los Angeles Police Academy will be applied.

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Los Angeles Police Officer Salary and Job Outlook

The Los Angeles Police Department pays new recruits that are high school graduates $56,522, Police Officers with at least 60 - college units (Associate's Degree - will start at $58,798, Police Officers with a Bachelor's degree will start at $61,095. After the first 6 months officers receive a raise and after another year officers will receive another raise.

Request free information from the fully accredited online schools below and see how a degree in criminal justice can help you succeed in an LAPD police officer career.

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Online Criminal Justice Degrees

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how to become a police officer with the LAPD

starUniversity of Phoenix Online: University of Phoenix will prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.

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Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Organizational Security & Management
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

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American InterContinental University:

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Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Request free information from AIU to learn more about these programs.

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Rasmussen College Online: Locations throughout the Country - Offering Online Programs

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Certificate - Police Officer Education
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's Criminal Justice
Associate's Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice

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South University: Online

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Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice

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Capella University:

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BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership

Request free information from Capella University to learn more.

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Lincoln College Online:

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BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

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Virginia College:

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AA in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

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Drexel University Online: Drexel University is regionally accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. There is a strong focus on criminology as well as the many other facets of criminal justice including administration, policies and procedures, law, corrections and much more. Learn more by requesting information today.

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BS in Criminal Justice Online

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Herzing University:

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AS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Homeland Security

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Colorado Technical University Online:

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AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Management - Criminal Justice

Request free information from CTU Online to learn more about their programs.

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Everest University Online :

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Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree

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Keiser University:

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AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
Master's in Criminal Justice

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Keiser University.

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Walden University Online: Walden University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination
PhD in Public Policy - Homeland Security

Request information about a Walden University degree program.

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Schools in Los Angeles and Surrounding Areas Offering Criminal Justice Programs

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University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix offers accredited degree programs—Criminal Justice, Business, Technology, Education, Health Care or other fields—for working adults at campuses in California.

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Bay Area Campuses: Concord, Livermore, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Novato, San Francisco, Pleasanton
Central Valley Campuses: Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno
Sacramento Valley Campuses: Beale AFB, Elk Grove, Sacramento (Crowne Corporate Center), Sacramento (Gateway Oaks), Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Suisun City (Fairfield), Lathrop, Chico, Roseville
San Diego Area Campuses: Palm Desert, San Diego (Kearny Mesa), San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), San Diego (Stonecrest), Chula Vista, Imperial (El Centro), Oceanside, San Marcos
Southern California Campuses: Culver City, Gardena, Lancaster, Ontario, Foothill Ranch, Costa Mesa, Woodland Hills, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Murrieta, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Oxnard

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Everest College: Everest College offers training in the criminal justice, homeland security and paralegal fields.

Campuses in: Ontario, City of Industry, San Jose and West Los Angeles
Degrees: Associate's Criminal Justice, Bachelor's Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Specialist

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Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Master's in Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Criminal Justice

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Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Inland Empire. Request information from these campuses today.

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DeVry University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's and Master's Programs | Technical Management - Criminal Justice, Certified Fraud Examiner

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Fremont (Undergrad), Pomona (Undergrad), Sherman Oaks (Undergrad), Fremont (grad), Irvine, Long Beach (Grad), Pomona (Grad), Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sherman Oaks (Grad)

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Heald College:

Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Assistant | Associate's and Diploma

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Concord, Fresno, Hayward, San Jose, Salinas, Rancho Cordova - Sacramento, Roseville - Sacramento, and Stockton.

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Maric College:

Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Studies | Associate's

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San Diego, North County (San Diego), Panorama City, Sacramento, Modesto, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton.

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San Joaquin Valley College:

Programs Offered: Associate's - Corrections Officer

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Bakersfield, Fresno, Rancho Cucamonga, Visalia, Modesto, and Rancho Cordova

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Western Career College:

Programs Offered: Associate's in Criminal Justice

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Emeryville, Citrus Heights, Antioch, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton, and Pleasant Hill.

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