Level III Reserves

Level III reserve officers are uniformed police officers who perform various administrative functions within the Police Department. Level III reserve officers are assigned duties at the front desk, with Area detectives and in community relations.

Requirements

  1. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application for membership
  2. Must be in good physical and mental health with no disabling physical condition
  3. Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license
  4. Must not have a history of criminal or improper personal conduct that may affect suitability for police work
  5. Must possess a United States high school diploma or GED equivalent
  6. The City of Los Angeles requires that a Reserve Officer Candidate be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law

Examination

  1. Preliminary Background Application and Job Preview Questionnaire (PBA and JPQ)
  2. Personal Qualifications Essay
  3. Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination
  4. Department Interview
  5. Medical Evaluation and Psychological Evaluation
  6. Physical Abilities Test (PAT – Treadmill)
  7. Certification and Appointment

Training

Classes are held at the Los Angeles Police Department Ahmanson Recruit Training Center (5651 West Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045), Los Angeles Elysian Park Academy (1880 N. Academy Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012), and/or Edward M. Davis Training Facility (12001 Blucher Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344) tentatively as follows:

  • Four-hour blocks, twice a week, on weeknights
  • Eight-hour blocks, on Saturday or Sunday
  • All classes are scheduled according to the instructor availability

Classes are not conducted on days that fall on major holidays. Classroom training methods are similar to those used in institutions of higher learning. Academic subjects are normally taught in a standard classroom setting and appropriate examinations are administered to ensure mastery of the subject matter. As training progresses, role-playing and practical field exercises are introduced.

Level III reserve officers also receive approximately 26 hours of basic self-defense, including wrist locks, twist locks, kicks and other techniques at the lower end of the Department’s Use of Force scale. Physical fitness exercises are used to prepare for self-defense training.

Equipment

Standard duty police equipment and uniforms are provided. Additional training materials and equipment may be purchased as needed.

Commitment

Level III Reserve Officers, after graduating from the Academy, are required to work a minimum of 16 hours every 28-day deployment period and attend mandatory monthly reserve officer meetings.

Level I and II Reserves

Level I and II reserve officers perform the same functions as regular, full-time police officers. They are armed, uniformed peace officers who work in police vehicles along with full-time officers.

Requirements

  1. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application for membership
  2. Must be in good physical and mental health with no disabling physical condition
  3. Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license
  4. Must not have a history of criminal or improper personal conduct that may affect suitability for police work
  5. Must possess a United States high school diploma or GED equivalent
  6. The City of Los Angeles requires that a Reserve Officer Candidate be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law

Examination

  1. Preliminary Background Application and Job Preview Questionnaire (PBA and JPQ)
  2. Personal Qualifications Essay
  3. Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination
  4. Department Interview
  5. Medical Evaluation and Psychological Evaluation
  6. Physical Abilities Test (PAT – Treadmill)
  7. Certification and Appointment

Training

Level I and II reserve officers receive additional training. Level II reserve officers receive approximately 189 hours of professional classroom instruction. Level I reserve officers receive approximately 394 hours of professional classroom instruction. Classes are held at the Los Angeles Police Department Ahmanson Recruit Training Center (5651 West Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045), Los Angeles Elysian Park Academy (1880 N. Academy Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012), and/or Edward M. Davis Training Facility (12001 Blucher Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344) tentatively as follows:

  • Four-hour blocks, twice a week, on weeknights
  • Eight-hour blocks, on Saturday or Sunday
  • All classes are scheduled according to the instructor availability

Classes are not conducted on days that fall on major holidays. Classroom training methods are similar to those used in institutions of higher learning and also mirror the curriculum of the Los Angeles Police Department Academy. Academic subjects are normally taught in a standard classroom setting and appropriate examinations are administered to ensure mastery of the subject matter. As training progresses, role-playing and practical field exercises are introduced.

Level I and II reserve officers also receive approximately 72 hours of self-defense training. This training includes techniques available within the higher end of the Department’s Use of Force scale. Physical training includes weight training, calisthenics and running. Level I and II reserves are required to pass a physical fitness and self-defense test prior to graduation. Applicants should begin the Academy in a reasonably fit condition. Their running program should include some moderate to steep hill work.

Equipment

Standard duty police equipment and uniforms are provided. Additional training materials and equipment may be purchased as needed.

Commitment

After graduating from the Academy, Level I and II reserve officers are required to work a minimum of 16 hours every 28-day deployment period and attend mandatory monthly reserve officer meetings.

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For more information, call (213) 486-6000 or email lapdreserves@lapd.lacity.org.