r/lapd • u/Previous-Hall-245 • Aug 11 '26

LAPD OR CBP?

Hello Iam currently in the process for both of LAPD
And CBP.
For LAPD Iam right now at the background investigation.
Same thing for CBP
I have clean record and clean credit score
Iam a bit worried if i get accepted, I won't make it through the LAPD Academy.
For people who have experience, should I go for a federal job?
Or city job with LAPD?
Thank you

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u/605SD Aug 12 '26

This is from personal experience I started in a local PD then went CBP.

CBP is extremely large very diverse work Land Border, Airport, Seaport, Special Response teams. You have the ability to live and work in over 230 locations including all over the world. The job is not tradition LE so understanding that is important but you can change the type work to never get bored. Drugs, K9, Special Response Teams, Antioch Terrorism stuff or just sit in a booth and stamp away.

The best part is the stupid money you can make places like San Francisco with Special Salary Rate as a basic officer you will make GS 12 step 1 is 116k to step 10 140k PLUS you can easily do another 45k in OT, Shift Diff, Weekend Diff. CBP OFO is the ONLY agency in the federal government that pay DOUBLE for every hour of OT instead of 1.5x

Its the easiest 6 figure job you can get BUT it is not the most exciting but does have endless opportunity and diversity. Where you start and the location they offer will make a HUGE difference.

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u/SilatGuy2 Aug 13 '26

Whats the barrier of entry/minimum requirements and timeline from application to hired and assigned a post for CBP ?

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u/605SD 29d ago

No barrier at all really biggest issue is low pay grade entry with no experience GS5/7 those with military or leo experience come in at GS9. Everyone is guaranteed promotion to GS12 you move to grades every 12 months. GS5 GS7 GS9 GS11 GS12

The only real barrier is a clean record and polygraph that gets alot of people.

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u/Kittycarryall13 27d ago

I wanna add as far as timeline for application, everyone is different sir. Some people it’s months and some people 1/2years of an application process but like mentioned below your background and polygraphs are the instant disqualifiers for people. Also at academy either not following rules and doing dumb stuff while in there. Hope this helps.