PORT POLICE SPECIALIST (LATERAL) (Revised 08/06/25)

Port Police Specialist

Annual salary is $89,700- $124,236. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

A Port Police Specialist is a sworn peace officer, authorized to carry a firearm; enforces federal and state laws and regulations, City of Los Angeles ordinances, and security, traffic, and safety rules and regulations; engages in law enforcement activities, including uniformed foot, vehicle, boat, and bicycle patrol and plainclothes assignments at the Port of Los Angeles; makes arrests and prepares written reports; provides information to the public regarding locations and operations of the Department; engages in hazardous materials enforcement; and does related work.

Requirement(s)/Minimum Qualification(s)

• Possess a current California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate at the time of application; or, have standing as an LAPD Line Reserve Officer with Certified Designated level 1 (CDL) status; or, a Basic Course Waiver issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training;
• Must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment; and
• Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

A Port Police Specialist will receive a condensed version of the classroom and physical training provided for Port Police recruits. A Port Police Specialist, upon successful completion of an 18-month probation period, will receive a Charter Section 1014 Special Assignment to the class of Port Police Officer. A valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Candidates will not be eligible for appointment if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI.

Selection Process

The examination will consist of a qualifying multiple-choice test, a qualifying Personal History Statement, and an interview. The qualifying multiple-choice test will evaluate factors including spelling, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and clarity. Your passing score does not expire. The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection.

All candidates who receive a passing score on the Multiple-Choice Test will be invited to submit a Personal History Statement. The Personal History Statement is a preliminary background investigation, which requires compilation of extensive biographical information.

Candidates who pass the Personal History Statement will be invited for an Interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Personal Accomplishment; Job Motivation; Community Involvement/Awareness; Problem Solving Skills; Interpersonal Skills; and Oral Communication Skills. Your interview score will determine your rank on the eligible list. Your passing score will expire after 2 years. The interview will be conducted on-line. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line interview will be able to join from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection.

The investigation begins with completion of a Personal History Statement and will include fingerprinting and a background interview. The investigation also includes checks of employment, police, financial, education, and military records and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends. Findings are valid for 12 months. A polygraph examination will be conducted prior to your field investigation to confirm information obtained during the selection process. The processing guidelines for the polygraph examination may be revised periodically. All candidates will be processed according to the current guidelines, not the guidelines which were in place when they applied.

Any conviction by a state, the federal government, or a foreign government of a crime, the punishment for which would have been imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or the state prison (felony) will result in a disqualification. Note: Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence from carrying a firearm.

You are required to complete the Physical Fitness Qualifier (PFQ). Your score on the PFQ is advisory. You must complete the PFQ at least once prior to appointment. You are welcome to retake the PFQ as many times as you like, and the score is valid for 12 months. If you score less than a 50 on the PFQ, you are strongly encouraged to attend the Candidate Advancement Program (CAP) more regularly and retake the PFQ. Being a part of CAP will significantly increase your success in the selection process and in the academy. CAP will also make transitioning to academy life much easier. Information regarding CAP can be found on-line at

A thorough evaluation by a City physician is required. It is essential that you be in excellent health, with no conditions that would restrict your ability to safely perform the work of a Port Police Specialist. A cardiac stress test may be required. To remain medically qualified, you must maintain your good health during the period following the medical examination. Medical examination results are valid for up to 12 months, at the discretion of the City's medical staff. Part of the medical evaluation includes a psychological evaluation by a City psychologist. This evaluation consists of written tests and an individual oral interview. You will be evaluated on the psychological factors related to successful job performance to determine if you are suited for the difficult and stressful occupation of Port Police Specialist. The results of the oral psychological evaluation are valid for 12 months. Your written psychological tests are valid for up to 24 months, at the discretion of the City's psychological staff.

You must be in excellent health, with no conditions that would restrict your ability to safely complete Academy training and perform police work for the Los Angeles Harbor Department. Your weight (body fat content) must be appropriate for height and build and you should be in excellent physical condition.

Your uncorrected distance vision must not exceed 20/70 in either eye and the best eye must be at least 20/40 and wearing eyeglasses you must have corrected vision to at least 20/30 in each eye If soft contact lenses are worn, they must have been worn for at least one month and vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye tested wearing the contact lenses and there is no uncorrected distant vision requirement. If a LASIK procedure (refractive surgery) was performed, vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye. In addition, candidates must be able to accurately and quickly name colors, and must be free from other visual impairments that would restrict the ability to perform law enforcement duties.

Because this class has been designated as safety sensitive, in accordance with City Policy, a drug and alcohol screening test may be required prior to appointment and during employment.

Before you can be hired as a Port Police Specialist, you must successfully complete all required steps.

You will be required to attend an abbreviated training and orientation program. The training will last 12 weeks for individuals who possess a California POST certificate and patrol experience, 16 weeks for individuals with a California POST certificate and no patrol experience, and 16 weeks for individuals with out-of-state experience as peace officers who were approved by POST for equivalency. The training will be conducted in a manner that recognizes your standing as an experienced peace officer and not a new recruit. Training is based on a 40-hour week during which you will receive full pay.

Employees will receive regular appointments to the class of Port Police Specialist and will begin an 18-month probationary period. Upon successful completion of the 18-month probationary period, a Port Police Specialist will receive a Charter Section 1014 transfer to the class of Port Police Officer. Port Police Specialists are assigned to a Training Officer during their field training. Your first two to three years will be spent in a patrol assignment.

Among the excellent benefits provided are annual paid vacations, holidays, medical and dental plans, sick leave, and a retirement system.

This examination is to be given only on an open competitive basis. The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.