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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.
Find Online Criminal Justice Programs Now
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.
Online Criminal Justice Degrees
= Staff Recommended Programs
Liberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.
Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix can help 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.
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
American InterContinental University:
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.
Rasmussen College Online: Locations throughout the Country - Offering Online Programs
Certificate - Police Officer Education
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's Criminal Justice
Associate's Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice
South University: Online
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
Ivy Bridge College Online: Ivy Bridge College is affiliated with Tiffin University and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
Associate's of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
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.
BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind
Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.
AA in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity
Colorado Technical University Online:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Schools in Los Angeles and Surrounding Areas Offering Criminal Justice Programs
Request Information from the School(s) by selecting a campus location
University of Phoenix:
- Bakersfield Learning Center
- Bay Area
- Beale AFB Learning Center
- Central Valley
- Concord Learning Center
- Culver City Learning Center
- Diamond Bar Learning Center
- Elk Grove Learning Center
- Fairfield Learning Center
- Fremont Learning Center
- Gardena Learning Center
- La Mirada Learning Center
- Laguna Hills Learning Center
- Lancaster Learning Center
- Lathrop Learning Center
- Livermore Learning Center
- Modesto Learning Center
- Murrieta Learning Center
- North Valley Learning Center
- Oakland Learning Center
- Ontario Learning Center
- Pasadena Learning Center
- Rancho Cordova Learning Center
- Roseville Learning Center
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino Learning Center
- San Diego
- San Francisco Learning Center
- San Jose Learning Center
- South Coast Learning Center
- Southern California
- Visalia Learning Center
- Woodland Hills Learning Center
University of Phoenix offers accredited degree programs—Criminal Justice, Business, Technology, Education, Health Care or other fields—for working adults at campuses in California.
Everest College: Everest College offers training in the criminal justice, homeland security and paralegal fields.
Degrees: Associate's Criminal Justice, Bachelor's Criminal Justice, Homeland Security Specialist
Argosy University:
Programs Offered: Master's in Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Criminal Justice
Heald College:
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Assistant | Associate's and Diploma
Maric College:
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Studies | Associate's
San Joaquin Valley College:
Programs Offered: Associate's - Corrections Officer
Western Career College:
Programs Offered: Associate's in Criminal Justice
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Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.