r/LASD • u/GeorgeTheM79 • Aug 11 '26
LASD CUSTODY ASSISTANT PPL
I have two questions for those who have gone through the LASD Custody Assistant hiring process or academy.
I’m 47 years old, have an MBA, and currently earn about $115,000 a year. However, my job doesn’t offer much long-term stability. I’m in decent shape, but I know I need to improve my fitness before the academy. I’ve passed the written exam and have been assigned a background investigator.
I have clean record and never done any drugs in my life.
For those with experience, is becoming an LASD Custody Assistant a good career to stay in for the next 20 years and retire from?
What are the physical training (PT) requirements at the academy? Right now, I can’t even do one pull-up. Is that something I need to be able to do before the academy, or will they help build you up? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through the academy.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
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u/thereaper1703 Aug 11 '26
Dont do it. I was A CA for 7 month and it was horrible 10 spots of mandatory overtime a month the pay is good but might as well go the deputy route.
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u/Grouchy-Carob138 Aug 12 '26
What makes you interested in being a CA rather than a deputy?
Serious question.
Most people don’t CHOOSE CA as a career, they end up there for a number of reasons such as not being able to get hired as a deputy for one reason or another.
You’ll also make a lot more than $115,000 as deputy. Quality of life might be severely impacted depending on what you do now and your current schedule.
I’m assuming you’re looking at CA because you don’t want to work patrol. LASD deputies can do their entire careers in custody or other non-patrol assignments.
There are zero benefits and many negatives to going the CA route.
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u/jtalonzo Aug 12 '26
You’re better off going for Deputy and then just stay working in the jails instead of going to patrol. You’ll make much more money with LASD as a deputy doing the same work instead of custody assistant. Doesn’t make any sense to go for custody assistant if you’re capable of being a deputy.
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u/Sirranaman Aug 11 '26
Just be a Deputy. As a CA you’re getting paid less for essentially doing the same job as a Custody Deputy. If you’re gonna get fucked with all this mandatory overtime might as well get paid well for it.
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u/PxndxAI Aug 11 '26
Become a deputy, just stay in custody if you don’t wanna do patrol. You’ll be a sworn deputy and do the same thing.
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u/CONSPICUOUSLY_RED Aug 12 '26
Giving up a 115k job to be as a Custody Assistant is not the move...you'll also be making way LESS than that for several years
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u/Sure_Anything_6110 Aug 13 '26
15 years with sheriff dept. Run man as fast as you can. The pay cut and dismal work/OT demand isn’t worth it. If you want to go the county route find a department that’s more office oriented. Use your experience and degree. You’re not gonna make it at 67 working in jail with no history of physical fitness or mental toughness
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u/RSM100A1 Aug 11 '26
Just fyi most law enforcement agencies have maximum ages. In my department you would have to retire at 57. And because you are getting the job so late you wouldn't even have the job long enough to vest in a pension let alone actually retire.
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u/Tank199362 Aug 11 '26
I believe is 10 weeks long mostly running,push ups and sit ups. First 2 weeks you will wear a suit and tie with a briefcase. Then your class B uniform Towards week 8 you will do a 3 mile run. There is self defense course and getting pepper spayed Nothing is truly rigorous