LAPD Background Investigation Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of criminal conviction is an absolute disqualifier for LAPD applicants under California law?
- Any misdemeanor committed before age 18
- Any felony conviction as an adult (Correct answer)
- A single traffic infraction in the past year
- A dismissed charge with no conviction
Correct answer: Any felony conviction as an adult
Any adult felony conviction permanently disqualifies an applicant from becoming an LAPD officer under California Penal Code requirements.
Question 2: Under the federal Lautenberg Amendment, an LAPD applicant is disqualified if they have been convicted of:
- Any traffic-related offense involving alcohol
- A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (Correct answer)
- Failure to appear in court on a civil matter
- Public intoxication within the past five years
Correct answer: A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
The Lautenberg Amendment (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)) prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense from possessing firearms, making such applicants ineligible to serve as law enforcement officers.
Question 3: How does the LAPD background investigation treat an applicant's juvenile record that was sealed by the court?
- It is completely ignored as if the offense never occurred
- It must still be disclosed and may be reviewed by investigators (Correct answer)
- It is automatically expunged upon application submission
- Only felony-level juvenile offenses must be disclosed
Correct answer: It must still be disclosed and may be reviewed by investigators
LAPD applicants are required to disclose all contacts with law enforcement, including sealed juvenile records, which investigators may still review as part of the background process.
Question 4: An applicant received a restraining order against them five years ago that has since expired. How is this likely treated during the LAPD background investigation?
- It is fully disregarded because the order has expired
- It will be reviewed and evaluated as part of the applicant's overall character assessment (Correct answer)
- Only active restraining orders are considered during screening
- It automatically disqualifies the applicant regardless of circumstances
Correct answer: It will be reviewed and evaluated as part of the applicant's overall character assessment
Expired restraining orders are still reviewed during the LAPD background process because they can indicate behavioral patterns relevant to an officer's suitability.
Question 5: Which driving-related history is most likely to disqualify an LAPD applicant?
- A single parking ticket within the past year
- One minor moving violation three years ago
- Multiple DUI convictions within a ten-year period (Correct answer)
- A lapsed registration on a vehicle the applicant no longer owns
Correct answer: Multiple DUI convictions within a ten-year period
Multiple DUI convictions reflect poor judgment and disregard for public safety, making such applicants unlikely to meet LAPD's character standards.
Question 6: Documented, knowing association with a criminal street gang will most likely result in what outcome for an LAPD applicant?
- A brief waiting period before the application can proceed
- Disqualification due to conflict of interest and integrity concerns (Correct answer)
- Automatic referral to a community advisory panel for review
- A reduced score on the background investigation only
Correct answer: Disqualification due to conflict of interest and integrity concerns
Known gang affiliation creates an irreconcilable conflict of interest and raises severe integrity concerns, typically resulting in disqualification from the LAPD hiring process.
Question 7: An LAPD applicant was arrested but never charged for an incident three years ago. Must this be disclosed during the background investigation?
- No, because no charges were filed and there is no conviction
- No, only convictions from the past seven years must be disclosed
- Yes, all arrests regardless of disposition must be disclosed (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only if the arrest appears on a commercial background check
Correct answer: Yes, all arrests regardless of disposition must be disclosed
LAPD requires applicants to disclose all arrests, regardless of whether charges were filed or a conviction resulted, as the circumstances are evaluated for character suitability.
LAPD Background Investigation Standards 2
Which type of criminal conviction is an absolute disqualifier for LAPD applicants under California law?