LAPD Background Investigation Standards 5

Question 1

How far back does the LAPD background investigation typically verify an applicant's employment history?

Accepted Answer

The past ten years or back to age 18, whichever is longer

Answer

The past two years only

Answer

The past five years

Answer

Only the most recent employer is contacted

Question 2

An applicant was terminated from a previous job for insubordination two years ago. How is this most likely treated during the LAPD background investigation?

Accepted Answer

Evaluated in context, including the applicant's explanation and overall employment record

Answer

Automatically disqualifying because law enforcement requires strict adherence to authority

Answer

Ignored because California is an at-will employment state

Answer

Only disqualifying if the termination involved criminal conduct

Question 3

An applicant voluntarily resigned from a prior law enforcement agency while under internal affairs investigation. This is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Trigger deeper scrutiny and inquiry into the nature of the investigation

Answer

Be treated the same as any other voluntary resignation

Answer

Result in automatic disqualification without further review

Answer

Have no effect if the investigation was never formally concluded

Question 4

What type of military discharge is most likely to disqualify an LAPD applicant?

Accepted Answer

Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Dishonorable discharge

Answer

Honorable discharge after eight years of active service

Answer

General discharge under honorable conditions

Answer

Early honorable discharge for a service-connected disability

Question 5

During the LAPD background investigation, a personal reference provided by the applicant tells the investigator that the applicant has difficulty controlling their temper. This disclosure is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Trigger follow-up interviews with other references and possibly the applicant directly

Answer

Be disregarded because references are expected to be biased in the applicant's favor

Answer

Result in automatic disqualification due to temperament concerns

Answer

Be noted but carry no weight because the reference is not an official supervisor

Question 6

An LAPD applicant's social media profiles reveal posts from three years ago expressing strong anti-law enforcement sentiments. How is this most likely handled?

Accepted Answer

Reviewed as part of the character assessment and may raise suitability concerns

Answer

Ignored because the posts are protected speech under the First Amendment

Answer

Automatically disqualifying under LAPD's social media policy

Answer

Only considered if the posts were made while the applicant was employed in law enforcement

Question 7

An applicant lists a college degree on their LAPD application, but the background investigator discovers they earned only enough credits to complete the degree and never formally graduated. This is most likely to result in:

Accepted Answer

Disqualification primarily for misrepresentation rather than the missing credential

Answer

No consequence because the applicant clearly has the equivalent knowledge

Answer

A request to complete the degree before the application can proceed

Answer

An automatic five-point deduction from the applicant's overall score