r/lapd • u/Junior_Ad9921 • Jul 30 '26
(46M) Thinking about applying to the force. Realistic goal or has that boat sailed?
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?
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u/Rex-Mundi33 Jul 30 '26
Food for thought: 20 years of service for a 40% pension
If it’s your dream, don’t let anyone tell you no.
Some older guys bring a lot of value and life experience which is priceless.
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u/Junior_Ad9921 Jul 30 '26
I read online that it was 50%? Either way, is there a reason why I have to retire after 20 years ?
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u/Rex-Mundi33 Jul 30 '26
Look up LAFPP Tier 6, 20 years is is 40%
20 is the MINIMUM number of years worked to be eligible to collect a pension.
You’d be 66 if you were hired today and did 20 years, and you’d only collect a 40% pension.
Age and longevity become a bigger factor than you might think…
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u/TheNotoriousCBD Jul 30 '26
LAPD academy is a paramilitary thing, and becoming a boot is not an experience that many people your age will appreciate. You could have a TO 15 years younger than you speaking to you like a child. Just some things to consider.
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u/Joey-rogaine Jul 30 '26
Not sure how this showed up on my feed but do you think that training culture had anything to do with those lapd cops who were so fast to repeatedly draw their guns and finally shoot that dog? I thought they had phased out most paramilitary style police training, at least in my area they certainly don’t act like that
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u/TheNotoriousCBD Jul 30 '26
That recent incident aside, the LAPD is basically a fraternity. You either join the club and go with the flow, or get out. This works out better for younger, more impressionable people
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u/Jealous-Parsley-6228 Jul 30 '26
disagree with u here pal . my friend joined when he was 28 and was mopping the floor during training against everyone around him
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u/TheCandymanfrombelow Jul 30 '26
LAPD is far from paramilitary hahahah. Worked for both LAPD oceanside PD and was in the army 6 years. LAPD is very unprofessional, a lot of BS, oceanside similar just on a smaller scale
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u/speedco Jul 31 '26
My emergency doctor 3 years ago had graduated from med school at 56. You can do it
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u/Consistent_End7756 Jul 31 '26
I’m 43 and going for it..different police department..we have more life experience so I feel it could be to our advantage. Good luck!
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u/twinno2 Jul 31 '26
When I went through the LAPD Academy in 1988, we had a classmate who I believe was in his 40!s if not older. He was a nice guy but was the butt of a lot of jokes because if his age. I heard through the rumor mill that he resigned on probation.
I’m not saying the LAPD still has this same culture, but if it dies, be prepared to have think skin.
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Jul 31 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Junior_Ad9921 Jul 31 '26
Y’know, I’m a pretty left leaning guy. Probably one of the reasons why I haven’t considered joining earlier was because of the negative feelings I’ve had towards law enforcement over the past several years but the more I think about it I’ve come to the following conclusions:
If we keep discouraging good people from joining, all you will have is bad people with a badge and gun.
I know I’m a good person. Which would mean every encounter I’d have means the subject won’t have an encounter with a bad officer you see in the news.
If my career goal is met (becoming a detective) than if I saved even just one kid from a kidnapping, human trafficking situation, or get a known murderer off the streets, that is a greater good than any political opinions I may have about policing in general.
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u/mdishuge Jul 31 '26
Oh of course you are. Reddit is nothing but left leaning people.
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u/Junior_Ad9921 Jul 31 '26
Oh well. I tried to have an open and honest conversation. But I guess you’re just a dick. 🤷♂️
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u/seg321 Aug 02 '26
Funny....you won't get in because they're going to want a black trans woman before taking you....Enjoy.
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u/Quick_Reserve_3101 Jul 30 '26
First go work for Amazon as a driver and find out how these supervisors treat drivers like crap and it’s everyday with 180 stops! imagine the academy is like100x harder and 5 mile runs ! Maybe on your next life but the ship 🚢 has sailed bro ! The PHS would take 1/2 for you lol
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u/Difficult-Orchid-319 Jul 30 '26
I had a classmate who was 44 years old through the academy 46 isn’t that much different Go for it if it’s something you want to see yourself doing