I've got an interview coming up soon with the LAPD. Does anyone have any advice? What should I expect? Is the process REALLY biased against males?
It is an unfortunate fact that ALL law enforcewment agencies are suffering shortages of female officers, the applicant pool is very small and they usually hire females who are much less qualified than the male applicants. It is an unfortunate, but true reality. Departments aren't necessarily more biased, it is just that they have so many more male applicants that they can be much more meticulous in their choice of male candidates and with females often have to do with what they are given. I would like to stress that I am not saying this about all female applicants. Many female officers I work with are more than qualified and even more qualified than the male officers in my department, but the large majority of females either have no previous relevant experience or were hired having qualifications that a male candidate would have been turned down for.
I have not personally had any experience with the LAPD board, but the best advice I can give you is dress to impress, maintain eye contact frequently with all members of the board and relax. Also think before you speak, don't just blurt out an answer, it is better to make them wait a second or two and say the right thing than regret having said the wrong thing.
Good Luck
It was nothing major for me. My interview was over after about 10-12 minutes. I have all of the questions that they asked me if you're interested. I gave my friend the questions to study, and he scored a 100, and as for myself I scored a 98. It seems that the L.A.P.D are looking for certain indivisuals to hire right now. All of the recent academy classes that have been graduating are mostly people with some kind of college background, such as 2 year degree or 4 year degree. I went through the process, and passed all required test including the pre employment poly exam, and my case was denied. My credit was excellent, my driving record was excellent, and after 18 months I'm being told that I'm not a qualified applicant. I also have 2 misdemeanors which are both expunged, and this is the reason I was turned away. When I first applied I told recruiters and background investigators about this, and I was told that if I could legally possess a firearm I had nothing to worry about. My co-worker also had misdemeanors that was'nt expunged, and he was hired within 6 months. He also has a 2 year degree in administration of justice, so I guess that made the difference. If it does'nt work for you try Rio Hondo's police academy.