LAPD...NO WAY

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LAPD....are you trying to be an lapd police officer, and you are either a hispanic or white male, or even a black male? FORGET IT. Right now, the only way you can get in is by being a black or asian female (or any race of female, for that matter) or an asian male. LAPD decided to use it's affirmative action consent decree bullpoopie (just a bunch of reverse racism, nothing more), and I just found out by someone inside that they are all full of hispanics and whites, even though I scored high on the oral, passed poly and have an immaculate background. I've been sittin on my behind for 6 mos waiting for some answer, nothing. Lets face it, They are trying to over-represent the under-reprsented, and doing it in a bad way.... That means that if an asian female gets a 70 on her oral, but a hispanic male gets a 90, they don't care....they need to fill the slots.... It's no longer the best scoring person for the job, it's your race....that is RACISM......
Hey, maybe if I had undergone a sex change, I'd be in by now....not a bad idea is it...Oh well......

[cpl_mike]

Mario- you are entitled to your own opinion, but be careful and use some open mindedness! I work for the city of Los Angeles and I can tell you truthfully that consent decree is fair! How can you justify a city where nearly 60 percent of the populace is female and the Dept. is  bearly 20% female? I know political correctness can sometimes feel unfair, until you are on the otherside of the issue-police work is no longer a "Man's job". As an F.T.O I hate to say this, but most females that do apply and make it through the academy and onto probation tend to do a better overall job because they are 1) better educated than their male counterparts 2)more mature in decision making  than their male counterparts 3)tend to have a more realistic view of their abilities/deficiencies as an officer. While it is true that most female officers are of smaller stature and can't physically compete with a 6'2" 220 lb felon, there are an equal # of 5'8-5'10 180 lb male officers that can't either!(I intimidate some of my trainees as I am 6'2,235 and sporting 18"biceps ;D ).What LAPD and most So.Cal agencies are looking for is true community representation and as a minority officer I don't think affirmative action should be used to hold anyone out of a job-thats not its intent(it doesn't make since to continually hire non minority officers to patrol a largely minority community or to hire mostly minority officers to patrol a largely non minority community) In the real world people tend to relate to others who speak their language or share the same  social or ethnic background and that does help solve a lot of problems.But no matter what you may think -the only color that matters is that you are  BLUE!You start off with the mindset of us/them and you'll end up in trouble ( check the city civil service commission if you think I'm joking- they nearly removed a LAPD  candidate for percieved issues of racial /sexist attitude !) No the Dept can't make you change your own views , but you have to adopt theirs! A police officer must be everything to everyman/woman, and service knows no color or gender! Also, whether you realize this or not, the Civil service commission has gotten permission from city council to stream line the Police Officer process (used to take btwn 12-18 months) so you are right on schedule if being LAPD is what you want.If you can't wait, what other agency(ies) have you applied for?All agencies in So.Cal match LAPD in experience (due to P.O.S.T standards and training) and tend to pay the same, better or have a better work environment. All I can tell you is be patient as many others on this site are for the career they want in Law enforcement and,remember this- "be careful of your thoughts, they can become your words.Be care of you words, they can become your actions.Watch your actions, as they can become habits.Fear your habits as they can be seen as your character.Guard your character as that can lead to the judgement of your destiny".......

[Charlie]

cpl_mike--You and Mario have an interesting responses to this issue. And both of you have some valid comments. ;D

In short, I think, ideally, the hiring process should be done ANYWHERE in a fair and consistent manner to all. But frankly, this is not the reality in the real world. Discrimination, even if it is a so-called legalized form, IS discrimination. Period!

Diversity IS important but communities also deserve the BEST qualified officers working for them. Getting the bang for their buck! REGARDLESS of the officer's gender or race!! Sorry, I don't buy into the commonly held, 'politically correct' flawed belief that staffing percentages MUST reflect the area's demographics as a means of determining how you MUST staff an LE agency. Logically & objectively, I think under the best of circumstances, it'll never EVER happen. Why? I think it IS unrealstic, flawed and wishful thinking.  

LE agencies all over the country, including LAPD from what I understand (record low recruit classes), are experiencing serious recruitment shortfalls. Ever wonder why that's happening? Why otherwise qualified potential applicants may NOT be attracted to the LE profession? Why a lot of departments are losing veteran experienced officers in high numbers? Objectively think about that.....

To sum up my thoughts, I know that whenever I dial 9-1-1 or any emergency number, I could care less WHO or WHAT shows up at my door. All I care about and expect is: The officer is QUALIFIED and CAPABLE of handling my service call PROFESSIONALLY and COMPETENTLY! And I expect that the LE agency has carefully tested, screened and trained that officer. ;D

I am not siding either of you on this issue. Again, you both have expressed some valid comments. I am only expressing my humble opinion as well.

Charlie

[cpl_mike]

I LOVE IT  WHEN YOU ENGAGE IN A TOPIC,CHARLIE ;D- wish reality were as simple as that,i.e. if you want the job,meet the requirements, there's openings,etc. I just wanted to point out  Mario should be concerned about one thing only- getting employed with the Dept. The social issues that confront law enforcement  today cannot easily be rectified through "political correctness",however-as one of my old sgts pointed out to me- "The people who pay the bills,i.e. an officers salary,make the rules".Mario is choosing LAPD, Mario should prepare himself for the politics of LAPD.Former City council"women" Jackie Goldberg during her tenure pushed the issue of a 45% female LAPD as well as representation by officers of alternate lifestyles-All one can hope is that recruiting can find people of the underrepresented groups that want one thing- to be a police officer!The bottom line is that many people today,no matter who or what they are, don't see law enforcement as a career/opportunity- couple that with the general apathy of some of today's youth, racially hot issues (i.e. Rodney King beating, The Tyisha Miller Shooting in Riverside, CA) and the examples of dengerates sliping through the cracks (Raphael Perez/Rampart scandal ),have set a" wall" in the minds of the community at large.I feel that no matter who you are-if you don't pass at least 85% or above,you shouldn't be hired! No, Mario sounds like he will be hired, and as I said earlier, no matter how unfair or biased he may think the system is ,he'll have to be open minded to survive it- as pollice officers all we sometimes have to make is our hearts and minds.....

[cpl_mike]

I LOVE IT  WHEN YOU ENGAGE IN A TOPIC,CHARLIE ;D- wish reality were as simple as that,i.e. if you want the job,meet the requirements, there's openings,etc. I just wanted to point out  Mario should be concerned about one thing only- getting employed with the Dept. The social issues that confront law enforcement  today cannot easily be rectified through "political correctness",however-as one of my old sgts pointed out to me- "The people who pay the bills,i.e. an officers salary,make the rules".Mario is choosing LAPD, Mario should prepare himself for the politics of LAPD.Former City council"women" Jackie Goldberg during her tenure pushed the issue of a 45% female LAPD as well as representation by officers of alternate lifestyles-All one can hope is that recruiting can find people of the underrepresented groups that want one thing- to be a police officer!The bottom line is that many people today,no matter who or what they are, don't see law enforcement as a career/opportunity- couple that with the general apathy of some of today's youth, racially hot issues (i.e. Rodney King beating, The Tyisha Miller Shooting in Riverside, CA) and the examples of dengerates sliping through the cracks (Raphael Perez/Rampart scandal ),have set a" wall" in the minds of the community at large.I feel that no matter who you are-if you don't pass at least 85% or above,you shouldn't be hired! No, Mario sounds like he will be hired, and as I said earlier, no matter how unfair or biased he may think the system is ,he'll have to be open minded to survive it- as pollice officers all we sometimes have to make it is our hearts and minds.....

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CPL_MIKE,

Thanks for your feedback, but you are misunderstood. I never mentioned anything about a woman compared to a mans ability to do the job....I feel that a woman can do the same job a man can. I was commenting on the HIRING PROCESS....Knowing how needy the lapd is of good qualified people, regardless of background, given the fact that they need to fill the quota with a female who got a 70 on her oral, compared to a male who got a 90 is just wrong......You need to read my post a little more carefully....You went off into some other plane about how a most women are more educated then their male counterparts, and how they make wiser decisions....that sounds sort of racist doesn't it? Makes me wonder..are you a woman?? I bet u are... and if you are an officer, you should be ashamed of yourself.....

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When does two wrongs make a right, why not start treating people fairly now, who cares who is represented and start hiring based on who is the best candidate right now.  If it is a majority of females, thats fine if its majority males thats ok to.  But why cant people learn from the mistakes they have made in the past.  I think it is reverse racism or sexism.  Policing is not a male job, but I also do not think that we should start hiring females just to represent them.  If they are not qualified they should not be there , same goes with a male.  Their are alot of tough females out their, and many are qualified, but I do not think that any exceptions should be made for them.  i know that when my life is on the line I do not want my backup to be someone who has gotten their  because of their race or sex but someone who is the most qualified to handle the situation.  I am strongly against, letting women get through on laxed physical requirements.  Lets face it police work, is not only about giving out tickets.   I have seen some departments do this.
You may disagree, and believe me I think women should be a part of every service but not putting them their because, people say we need more women their.

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CPL_MIKE.

You also said:

(I intimidate some of my trainees as I am 6'2,235 and sporting 18"biceps  ).

So what?? I've been lifting for 15 years and have bigger arms then you. Does that really make one man better then another?


You are too cocky, you should not be a cop...you are the type that will lose control in a heated situation and probably beat a suspect.

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sorry CPL_MIKE, I meant to say "Cocky" instead of "Thingy"...

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"c" "o" "c" "k" "y" , is what I mean to say...this board will not allow that word...

[Charlie]

cpl_mike--

I must agree with your comments and valued insight.  ;D

You speak as someone who definitely knows what's going on in your department. "You've been there, done that." You obviously know what you and your fellow officers are up against. Your point is very well taken concerning the realities your department faces.

Heads up folks and LAPD hopefuls.....Cpl. Mike is offering some very valuable insight. Take heed.....

Thanks Mike....be safe and watch your back out there!

Fraternally,

Charlie

[Charlie]

To the others on the board who may have a differing opinion of Cpl. Mike's thoughts:

I don't think he is necessarily endorsing what the realites are in the LAPD. I think you need to carefully read his comments. He also sounds like he has/had an insightful Sergeant as well who offered a valid thought as well.

Without a doubt, there are questionable practices at both the LAPD and other departments out there BUT, good or bad, it IS the reality you're up against. I think Cpl. Mike is giving us all some pointers about how to get your foot in the door at the LAPD.

Again, good or bad, right or wrong, agree or disagree, IT IS THE REALITY you may have to face! The LE profession is generally the same way. You just have to figure out how to adapt to it and make it work somehow. What do you think the realities are like on the streets???

Thanks.

Charlie

[cpl_mike]

Wellll! I think Mario, YOU read into what I said a little more than needed(think what you may).If you'd pay attn to what Charlie commented on as well as that follow up by " Mark",  you'd have stayed on the path.No, I AM DEFINITELY NOT a woman,nor by mentioning my build  was I trying to somehow imply that I was better than any other officer- I was trying to get you to understand that from my experience it is the individuals ability that makes them a good officer.Are women inherently better or Men inherently better because of some perceived quality? "NO".it is individual ability that makes the player, and the players contribution that makes the team successful and winners.I am only commenting on what I've experienced- Female officers do tend to be better educated than their male counter parts,BUt THAT IS A TREND IN SOCIETY IN GENERAL(WOMEN GO TO SCHOOL LONGER THAN MEN DO), as far as maturity,female recruits tend to come into the field several years older than their male counterparts, some already married and having families, hence a more disciplined/structured life (male officers with prior military also function better and are able to adapt quicker).Crying about having to be female or asian(if you speak an asian language or other foreign language wouldn't that make YOU also more marketable?) is immature and unneeded!You sound like you are already on your way, so why CRY foul?As Charlie mentioned and as I already know-you may not have been called due to the small applicant pool( they are not going to just put you in a class alone- they NEED other recruits)look back on this sight and you'll see a comment from a young recruit named "SIR 112"- he completed everything yet, he also had to wait. What you need is a dose of maturity as well as humility, 'cause believe me- you carry that attitude into the field and run into your first CODE 6 Charles (wanted felon) you'll get your hat handed to you FAST.But thats if you make it through the academy(oh, did I mention all those less than qualified females,asians,whites, hispanics, blacks ,possibly gay recruits that will be your class mates,future partners, and future supervisors that you'll have to trust your life with?)Don't fool your self- all your future class mates will not have made it(male or female) with any score demonstrably lower than what you have-out of a class of 62, I had a 91% overall and that was low compared to a majority of may class mates-6 had their M.A./M.S degree,18 B.A./B.S. degree, myself and 22 others an A.A./A.S. and half were either reserve officers from other agencies or prior military with nothing less than sgt or 2lt. ranks!!Bottom line, be patient Mario, use better judgement(attitude like what you posted could get you knocked out of the process-don't blow it!).To Charlie and Mark-you both have seen that the system is failing, and it is frustrating.The most important thing for anyone applying in L.A.,Calif, or anywhere else is to prepare yourself to be the best applicant possible.In a perfect world, the race ,sex or gender wouldn't matter, only skill- but, without sounding arrogant , thats what makes a police officer better than general society- he/she sees the flaws and rises above them.........

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So a question remains.  Why does the recruiting process at LAPD take so long?  If the class sizes are down and seats go empty, why would a good potential candidate wait 6 months for a class NOTICE, regardless of gender or race?  I would think that any candidate above a certain level should be scheduled for the next academy class with available seats.  That is, the next class that has open seats that are not reserved for the affirmative action privileged.  The class could be next month or next year, but at least the candidate would know that they are scheduled for an academy class.

If Mario is above the requirements line, then he should be scheduled for the next class that has seats available for is type (ie gender/race).

It looks like LAPD is dissing potential officers by trying to fill a class with an old procedure.  "Lets wait until right before a class starts to pick the best candidates."  The solution seems so simple.  "Anyone who meets the requirements gets scheduled for a class with seats available for their type (i.e. gender/race)."  [Note: This assumes that at least some seats are reserved for non-affirmation action types in each class.]

The current procedure also makes it look like LAPD recruiters have a low respect for candidates by making the process slow and seemingly unfair.  Respect all candidates for their time, effort and drive to be officers by giving them as soon as possible an available seat in the next possible academy class.

[Glenn]

Mario,  I have read the other replies and there are some really good things you can learn form here. I think most of the points have been covered, exepct that I would like to add to the point that you have been waiting 6 months for a relpy.
That really isn't that long. In Canada applicants wait anywhere from 3 -7 months just to get the results back from the written exam with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). After you receive those marks you can wait upto a year just to get to the interview stage, then more waiting. The average is usually 18 months from start to finish. So 6 months isn't that long when I look at from my point of view.
Just try to have some paitaince. Have you contacted them to see how things are going? If you don't make it in with the LAPD, move on and apply elsewhere, I am sure you will do fine.

Glenn
Becoming a cop doesn't happen overnight, it takes a good solid weekend to get that badge....
Forget about the badge, when do I get the freaking gun....lol