How to Become a Detective in Los Angeles
Detectives play an important role in the ongoing investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. Detectives are highly experienced law enforcement officials who usually spend significant time on the streets before being promoted to do detective work. According to PayScale, detectives in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) made an average salary of between $62,000 and $108,022 as of December 2010. As one of the nation's largest cities, Los Angeles can provide would-be detectives with ample opportunity for career advancement, as it takes a large police force to keep the city safe from crime.
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Instructions
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Complete your high school education if you haven't already. You need a high school diploma or the equivalent, the GED, to work as a law enforcement official. You can also obtain a certificate indicating that you completed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).
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Enroll in courses at a college or community college. Complete at least two years of study. The LAPD will allow you to substitute a college degree for the high school requirement (for rare cases with foreign applicants). College is not necessarily required for employment with the police department, but if you want to pursue a detective's position, you may be competing with other well-qualified individuals who have education beyond high school. Getting an associate degree, at the minimum, can give you a competitive edge over other applicants. A bachelor's degree can make you even more competitive. If possible, pursue studies in criminology, criminal justice, psychology, forensics or police science.
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Submit your application to the LAPD and complete the hiring process. All applicants must submit their application online. The application requires the completion of a Job Preview Questionnaire and a Preliminary Background Application. These forms are needed to make sure you meet the necessary qualifications and so you know exactly what the job entails. You must also submit an essay that attests to your personal qualifications and pass a physical fitness exam, background investigation, polygraph exam, departmental interview, medical exam and psychological evaluation.
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Complete your training at the LAPD police academy. Once you have received your appointment, you can expect to spend six months completing extensive preparation work at the academy. You will spend considerable time in the classroom learning how to file reports, learning about the law and gaining competency in other areas like firearms training.
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Work for at least four years as a patrol officer for the LAPD. This is the minimum amount of time needed on the force before you can be promoted to a detective's position. Once you have met this requirement, you can submit an application and be considered for promotion.
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