LOS ANGELES : LAPD Lifts Ban on Recruits 35 and Older
The Los Angeles Police Commission lifted a longstanding policy Tuesday that had barred men and women 35 and older from joining the Police Department as sworn officers.
The action was recommended by Chief Willie L. Williams on the basis of a department study showing that older officers prompt fewer personnel complaints, are involved in fewer cases of excessive force and take fewer sick days, among other measures of stability.
The study was undertaken several months ago, before Williams’ appointment. He and city personnel officials noted that the LAPD would have been forced to abandon its age limit for recruits by the end of 1993 because of a change in federal age discrimination regulations.
The LAPD is one of the state’s last police departments to lift age requirements, city officials said.
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