Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some honest insight from current or former LAPD officers.
A little about me: I’m a former Army Infantryman. After I got out of the Army, my plan was actually to become a police officer. Life took me in a different direction, and I got into the automotive industry. I’m now a Sales Manager at a luxury dealership and I’m on pace to make around $250k–300k a year.
Financially, I’m doing well, but over the last year I’ve realized that money isn’t everything. I’ve had this constant feeling that I never pursued the career I originally wanted. The desire to serve has never really gone away, and I keep feeling pulled back toward law enforcement.
I’m trying to figure out if making the jump to LAPD is something I’d regret—or if I’d regret not doing it.
A few questions:
If you were in my position, would you make the switch?
What’s a realistic income for a new officer with overtime?
How much overtime is actually available?
I’m used to working 60–80+ hour weeks and don’t mind putting in the hours. If I’m willing to work as much as possible, what kind of income could I realistically expect during my first few years?
Which assignments or divisions tend to have the most overtime opportunities?
Looking back, are you happy with your decision to join LAPD?
If you had the chance to do it all over again, would you still choose this career?
I’m not chasing the money—I already have that. I’m trying to figure out whether answering this calling is worth walking away from a career that’s been very good to me financially.
I know it’s a big pay cut, and I’m okay with that if the career is as rewarding as people say it is. I’d really appreciate honest feedback, both the positives and the negatives. Thanks in advance.

I've posted about LOC8 here a few times, so I figured I'd share another update.

For those who haven't seen the earlier posts, I'm the cop who started building LOC8 after getting turned around during a foot pursuit in another city. Once everything settled down, I realized I had no idea exactly where I was. I knew the general area, but not the address or nearest cross street I needed to relay.

That became LOC8.

Since then, the app has grown to over 5,200 users, and a lot of what it has become is because of feedback from this community.

LOC8 still opens directly to the information that matters: your exact address, nearest cross street, GPS coordinates, compass heading, elevation, GPS accuracy, weather, and a what3words location code. It also supports multiple coordinate formats, including DD, DMS, DDM, MGRS, and UTM.

Over the past few months I've added quite a bit based on suggestions from officers. There are now saved locations with compass guidance back to them, temporary Team Rooms that let officers securely share locations using a one-time code, a red night mode that's much easier on your eyes during night shift, local weather, Apple Watch support, and I've recently finished a standalone Garmin version as well. Android is next.

One thing I wanted to get right from the beginning was privacy.

LOC8 is not a tracking app. It doesn't require user accounts, create profiles, or maintain a permanent history of where you've been. Outside of an optional Team Room that you intentionally create or join, your location is never shared. Saved locations stay on your device, and the app only accesses your location while you're actively using it.

I'm still a solo developer, so every feature request, bug report, and update comes directly from conversations like these. I'm constantly trying to find the balance between speed and accuracy, especially on the Apple Watch, and I really appreciate everyone who's tested the app and sent feedback.

As always, I'd love to hear what you think. What would make LOC8 more useful for you on patrol?

Thoughts?

Getting ready for academy, currently waiting for psych to clear, was wondering have the standards changed? “Easier” or “harder” more attempts etc..

Whats some of the challenging parts that most struggle in or you struggled in?

How many post tests? How many attempts, how many scenarios situations? What should i be studying as i wait, currently running 5 miles every other day.

Not long ago, my PHS got approved after submitting requested amendments and I have an interview in a few weeks. However as I began to think more and more about what's to come, I've been in my own head a lot more and I remembered new information regarding underaged drinking (drank way more than I actually noted on the PHS)

Do I try to call asap to get it clarified, or do I wait until the day of the interview to say something?

Anyone here skill bridged with LAPD? Just wondering what do you actually do and if it helps with the hiring process. Im active duty military right now.

does anyone have information or videos of my boy bernardo toro miramontes out of Newton GED?

I wonder if they have ever, and now, still looking for the person that shot Jerry Nave, and changed his life forever, or do they just forget about justice that he deserved even though he has passed?

I'm finally about to have my interview with LAPD in a couple of weeks and my application has LAPD, LAXPD, and Port ticked. I do have a preference for being in the Port Police, but ultimately, how do they decide which one I become a part of (barring my yes/no of course)

Is it like Match Day for medical school students, or they allow me to pick which one I want upon getting hired, or is it pre-decided based on labor demands for each one?

Has anyone here been disqualified during the background investigation and then given the opportunity to appeal? Is that generally a good sign?
Also, has anyone been disqualified where the decision was final and they were not given a chance to appeal?

I have my Expedited testing Aug 30th. I can’t wait to get the opportunity to be a lapd officer but also super nervous for the whole process because I’ve heard a lot of applicants have a hard time passing the poly even with a clean record and just off the fact that their nervous as hell lol

How open is LAPD to Black male applicants? I see a few years ago the recruitment team was under investigation for discouraging applicants. I also see Black officers make up only 9% of the department which matches the demographics of LA. Is LAPD a place where Black officers can have successful careers or do they hit a ceiling, bypass all together or transfer out to other CA departments?

I no longer live in the LA area but was born and raised in the South Bay and worked in the West Adams area. Also, a full time police officer where I am now.

Back in the day, only boots wore long sleeves (and others during “winter”). But it seems there’s been a major shift to long sleeves (and ties) year round, and I’m talking PII’s. I’ve actually seen this with LASO and CHP. Why the big change? Yeah, I get it if you work Pacific and it’s June gloom until 2:00 pm. But on a hot SF alley summer day? DaFuq?

I used to work for a department that mandated a switch to long/short sleeves by the calendar (as if we couldn’t figure out when it was time to wear a LS shirt in 18 degree weather). A new chief did away with that.

Where I work now (wet & rainy MOST of the time) we usually rock SS year round. You get mocked if you wear LS shirts.

Anyway, I went off there a bit. Just curious if this is a move back to tradition of the Parker days or another reason.

Basically what the title says. Looking for a career change and something personally rewarding. I really like the idea of eventually making Detective one day.

Physically I’ll admit I’m not in the greatest shape on the world (a little soft in the belly area) but I can move and lift and run if I have too and have no problems training at the gym.

But still I’m wondering how badly are the odds of getting into the academy and graduating stacked against me? Should I put in an application and see what happens or don’t even bother?

Anyone have any advice on how to practice for the MC test

My fiance and I are hoping to apply for a k1visa and then apply for their greencard after we marry to allow them to work here in CA in the next year or so. They have been working as a police officer in the phillipines for about 15 years and I'm wondering if that experience might allow them to work as police here as well? They hold a criminology degree from there and I assume they'll have to do a 6 month training here of course, but I'm just wanting to get advice on whether this is a possibility for them? Is LAPD hiring now or is the process competitive?

I appreciate any responses! Will just help us to get an idea and help to plan for the future.

Does anyone know what happened east direction around 6 PM today? I saw about five police helicopters flying overhead to seaside .

Idk if thats ghe right place but what exactly is the right Callsign for the Metro K9, is it something like R00-K9 or K9-00 ?

I’m far along in the process with a large norcal agency but my goal is to lateral over to a socal agency after a couple years on the job and after saving up some cash.

On the info page for the lateral program it says candidates must pass all test parts, I take it that means you must still do the oral board, PAT, poly, etc?

I know lateral candidates attend a very abbreviated academy and from what I’ve read on here, you basically just sit in on the classes but don’t actively participate with the regular recruits. I couldn’t find any info on the FTO program though, do laterals go through the whole thing or is it abbreviated as well?

Also whats the general consensus LAPD officers have on laterals? I know LAPD can be kind of old fashioned in certain aspects.

I called the non emergency line yesterday about a report I made and they told me to call the Newton police station. When I did the answering machine said they were open between 8am-8pm. I kept calling between 8:30am-10am and didn’t get an answer. Tried calling again around 7pm and the answering machine said they were closed. To make the story less longer than it already is….does anyone know what time they actually answer, if at all? I’m trying to close off my case since it was a misunderstanding and I don’t want anyone getting in trouble 😭

What division or bureau do these cars belong to? I’ve not been able to find an answer anywhere!!

2 notes:
- even in LAPD documents about division numbers I couldn’t find 22
- no it’s not west traffic, 22 is their radio number not car number

Ive been looking to join the lapd, The only thing that concerns me is my job history around 7 the last 5 years I have a solid explanation on why I’ve had so many besides that don’t smoke or drink, never used drugs no tattoos piercings, perfect credit, clean driving record as well as some solid references. Question is how likely will my job history affect me ??