LAPD Recruiters Looking for Candidates in O.C.

Los Angeles Police Department recruiters will come to town Saturday in search of a few good men and women--or 8,500, to be more precise.

The large number of candidates is needed to fill 500 available positions because only six candidates out of every 100 passing the initial test actually make it, department spokeswoman Theresa Adams said.

Those who take the written, multiple-choice test Saturday will be informed that day whether they pass, and an oral interview--the next step in the selection process--will be arranged.

An informational seminar will begin at 9 a.m. at the Tustin High School cafeteria, 1171 El Camino Real, with the test to follow at 10:30 a.m.

Although this is the first time the test has been given in Tustin, recruiting takes place quarterly in Orange County, Adams said.

“We’ve been spreading out our recruitment efforts,” she said. “If you take the number of people we need, and you add into that the competition factor with the Sheriff’s Department and local forces, competition is getting tougher. And we’re competing for the same pool of people.”

Testing takes place weekly at four sites in Los Angeles and every weekend in a different location from San Diego to San Francisco, Adams said.

Starting salaries for Los Angeles police officers range from $32,000 to $37,000. Applicants must be between 20 1/2 and 34, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, be in excellent health and have no prior felony convictions.