Frequently Asked Questions

DST candidates you will receive your score on the day of the written exam.  For other LEJF positions you will receive your written score by email the next business day.

Written test scores for LET candidates will be emailed four to six weeks after the written test.

No, there is no specific dress code for the written exam, however, for the Physical Ability Test, you will need to wear comfortable work-out clothes, a regular crew neck t-shirt; do not wear tank tops, low-cut tops, or cut-up shirts.

Yes, the Sheriff’s Academy is a twenty-two (22) week training program.

Yes, we are currently testing and hiring. For a list of all open positions, visit the Career Opportunities page.

After submitting an application, you will be scheduled for a written examination. If you are a DST applicant, you will also take your Physical Ability Test immediately after the written exam. We currently test on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm and Saturdays at 7:00 am in the city of Whittier, CA.

Please visit the LASD Career Opportunities page. If you scroll down towards the bottom, you will see all the current job bulletins that are open.

• Click on the “Apply for job” button.
• Click on the new link that will pop up and you will be directed to the job bulletin (job description).
• If you are interested and meet the selection requirements for the position(s) desired, you may submit an online application by clicking on the green tab on the top right corner of each job bulletin titled “APPLY”.
• If you do not have a Neogov profile, please create one and remember to write down your username and password*.
• Complete the employment application and Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ).
• Once the application process is complete and if you are successful in passing the SQ, you will be scheduled for a test administration within 2-3 weeks. All correspondence is conducted via email.

*If you have forgotten your password, please do not create a new profile. Simply click on the “Forgot Password” link and you will be allowed to change your password.

1. Deputy Sheriff – Lateral (DS-Lateral)

2. Deputy Sheriff Trainee (DST)

3. Custody Assistant (CA)

4. Security Officer (SO)

5. Security Assistant (SA)

• 19 ½ years of age at the time of filing and 20 years of age at the time of hire.
• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
• Graduation from a U.S. high school or evidence of equivalent U.S. high school proficiency or higher. Evidence of equivalent high school proficiency includes having successfully passed the GED, TASC, HiSET, or CHSPE.
• Valid California class “C” driver license or higher at the time of filing. Out-of-State applicants must have a valid driver license from the state in which they reside at the time of filing and will be required to obtain a California class “C” or above driver license, prior to hire.
• Applicants cannot have any felony convictions nor be on probation; misdemeanors may be disqualifying, depending on the number, type of violation, and date of the violation.
• Good general physical condition.
• 20/70 uncorrected vision, corrected to at least 20/30.

• Currently employed as a full-time peace officer in a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) certified law enforcement agency with two years of continuous paid peace officer experience at the time of filing application.
• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
• Graduation from a U.S. high school or evidence of equivalent U.S. high school proficiency or higher. Evidence of equivalent high school proficiency includes having successfully passed the GED, TASC, HiSET, or CHSPE.
• Valid Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced P.O.S.T. certificate(s) from the California Commission on P.O.S.T or a Certificate of Completion from a California P.O.S.T-Certified Basic Training Academy at the time of filing.
• Valid California class “C” driver license at the time of filing.
• Applicants cannot have any felony convictions or be on probation; misdemeanors may be disqualifying, depending on the number, type of violation, and date of the violation.
• Good general physical condition.
• 20/70 uncorrected vision, corrected to at least 20/30.

• 18 years of age at the time of filing and years at the time of hire.
• Graduation from a U.S. high school or evidence of equivalent U.S. high school proficiency or higher. Evidence of equivalent high school proficiency includes having successfully passed the GED, TASC, HiSET, or CHSPE.
• Valid California class “C” driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to carry out job-related functions.
• Applicants cannot have any felony convictions nor be on probation; misdemeanors may be disqualifying, depending on the number, type of violation, and date of the violation.

This job bulletin is currently suspended.

• 18 years of age at the time of filing.
• Graduation from a U.S. high school or evidence of equivalent U.S. high school proficiency or higher. Evidence of equivalent high school proficiency includes having successfully passed the GED, TASC, HiSET, or CHSPE.
• Valid California class “C” driver license at the time of filing.
• Applicants cannot have any felony convictions nor be on probation; misdemeanors may be disqualifying, depending on the number, type of violation, and date of the violation.

• 18 years of age at the time of filing.
• Graduation from a U.S. high school or evidence of equivalent U.S. high school proficiency or higher. Evidence of equivalent high school proficiency includes having successfully passed the GED, TASC, HiSET, or CHSPE.
• Valid California class “C” driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to carry out job-related functions.
• Applicants cannot have any felony convictions nor be on probation; misdemeanors may be disqualifying, depending on the number, type of violation, and date of the violation.

The job bulletin for Law Enforcement Technician is currently closed.

• Two years of paid experience working for a public safety agency* performing law enforcement-related services and support duties
• Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university**
• Valid California Class “C” driver license at time of filing
• Applicants cannot have any felony convictions nor be on probation; misdemeanors may be disqualifying, depending on the number, type of violation, and date of the violation.

* Public safety agencies include departments such as sheriff, police, military police, college or university police, and fire.

** In order to receive credit for any college course work or Associates, Bachelors, or Masters Degree, applicants must submit a legible copy of the official transcripts or diploma, or an official letter from an accredited institution that shows the date of graduation, at the time of filing or within 15 calendar days of filing.

The written test consists of seven sections:

1. Vocabulary

2. Reading Comprehension

3. Writing Clarity

4. Spelling

5. Grammar

6. Deductive and Inductive Reasoning

7. Data Interpretation

There are websites available that have sample or practice tests to help in the preparation of this test. They are only guides and do not guarantee success in the test. These sample tests are located at the following websites:

 The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website

 The Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources website

 The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission website

You may also find study materials/literature at the public library or local bookstores on entry-level law enforcement employment tests.

For LEJF positions, you will be notified via email one to two weeks after passing the SQ.

For LET, you will be notified in approximately two months from the date your application was reviewed and accepted.

You will proceed to Physical Ability Test immediately after passing your written exam.

Written test results for DST will be given to you immediately after the exam. If you pass, you will proceed to Physical Ability Test on the same day.

Written test results for all other LEJF positions are typically emailed to applicants the next business day after the test administration, unless instructed otherwise by the proctor.

Written test results for LET will be emailed four to six weeks after the written test, unless instructed otherwise by the proctor.

Please contact the Sworn Examinations Unit by e-mail at swornexamsentrylevel@lasd.org or phone (323) 981-5800.

Written test scores for LEJF positions are valid for twenty four (24) months from the date of the written test, unless otherwise noted in the job bulletin.

Written test scores (T-scores) for LET are valid for twenty-four (24) months from the date of the written test, unless otherwise noted in the job bulletin.

Applicants who fail the written test may reapply six (6) months after the date of the written test. For more information, please see the Reapply Procedure section of the respective job bulletin.

Applicants who fail the written test for the Law Enforcement Technician (LET) may reapply six (6) months after the date of the written test.

For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Information section of the respective job bulletin.

Important notice: applicants may reapply only if the respective job bulletin is open.

No, outside agency test scores are not accepted for the LEJF positions. Applicants must take the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s written tests.

The Dual Track allows sworn personnel to select, remain, and promote within their career path of choice: Custody, Patrol, or both. This program was developed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to enhance continuity, stability, and accountability in the Los Angeles County correctional system and patrol-related functions. Learn more here

We recommend that you submit an application when you have approximately three (3) months or less left on your enlistment time of service.

If you are a member of any Armed Forces Reserve Component, or the National Guard, you may apply at any time.  The Sheriff’s Department is committed to hiring Veterans from all branches of service.

There is no expected timeframe. Please visit our website periodically to check the status of the positions of your interest.

1. Go to: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty/

2. Sign-in on the upper right corner

3. Click on your user name on upper right corner

4. Select “Profile”

5. Click on “Edit” on the section you need to update information

6. Update your information

7. Click Save

No, applications take about 1-2 weeks to process. If you have not received an email after 2 weeks, contact the Sworn Examinations Unit at (323) 981-5800 or send an email to swornexamsentrylevel@lasd.org.

You may navigate to the Login page and click on the “Forgot Username” link and enter your email address that was used to sign up. Your username will be delivered to your email address.

Yes. You may apply for more than one position at the same time as long as you meet the selection requirements for each of the positions.

1. Application and SQ

2. Written Test and Physical Ability Test

3. P.O.S.T. mandated Structured Interview

4. Background Investigation

5. Medical and Psychological Evaluations

You will be allowed two (2) opportunities to pass the Physical Ability Test within a six (6) month period.  This six (6) month period will begin on the date of your initial scheduled Physical Ability Test appointment.  If the Physical Ability Test is not passed within the time allowed, you will be disqualified and ineligible to reapply for the position for a period of (6) months from the date of the disqualification. If you do not pass the Physical Ability Test after the second opportunity, you will be disqualified and ineligible to reapply for the position for a period of six (6) months from the date of the second Physical Ability Test failure.

You will be allowed one (1) opportunity to pass the SI.  If you do not pass the SI, you must wait six (6) months before you can reapply.

A candidate who remains actively engaged in the process, submits all necessary documentation in a timely manner, and keeps scheduled appointments, is expected to complete the process within eight months. The completion of the background process may vary for each person. For example, a person with a long, extensive work history might have a longer waiting period than someone who has only held one job. The Department’s goal is to try to get you into the academy within eight months.

Yes, there is an Out-of-State/Area Applicant Program available for DST and CA candidates. Once you receive your email invitation to the written test, contact the Sworn Examinations Unit by e-mail at swornexamsentrylevel@lasd.org to request placement in the program.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Out-of-State/area applicant program enables you to complete the first six components of the DST hiring process and the first five components in four days.

The components for DST are: (1) written test, (2) Physical Ability Test, (3) P.O.S.T. mandated structured interview, (4) background interview, (5) fingerprinting, and (6) polygraph.

The components for CA are: (1) written test, (2) background interview, (3) fingerprinting, and (4) polygraph.

LASD does not reimburse candidates for expenses incurred while participating in the Out-of-State/Area Applicant Program. Should you choose to participate in this program, you will be responsible for all related expenses.

The next scheduled Out-Of-State program is scheduled is Wednesday, March 13, 2019, through Saturday, March 16, 2019.

For application, SQ, and written test status, contact the Sworn Examinations Unit at (323) 981-5800 or swornexamsentrylevel@lasd.org

For CA, DST, and DS-Lateral background status call the Sworn Backgrounds Unit at (323) 229-1793 or (213) 229-3100

For LET, SA and SO background status, contact the Civilian Backgrounds Unit at (626) 258-3042 or (626) 258-3041

For the Physical Ability Test , contact the Physical Ability Test Unit at (323) 981-5800 or vpat@lasd.org

For specific information about the different jobs and career opportunities within LASD, contact the Recruitment Unit, at 1-800-A-DEPUTY or (800) 233-7889, or visit http://lasdcareers.org