For many Officers, one of the best rewards of working for the Los Angeles Airport Police Division, is the fact that they can do many jobs during the course of their career.

Patrol

All Los Angeles Airport PoliceOfficers start in patrol. While many Officers will choose to remain in patrol, others put in for promotions or for transfer to specializedassignments after a few years in the field. Patrol is theprimary provider of police services to the aviation community and is considered to be the backbone of the LA Airport PD.

Patrol officers investigate crimes, make arrests, patrol communities to make them safer, work with the community to solve problems, conduct community meetings, mediate disputes, investigate traffic collisions and provide general police services.

Specialized Assignments

There are many different job assignments within the LA Airport PD.Some of them, like traffic investigator are done by hundreds of officers, but then there are also specialized jobs likemotorcycle officers, public information officers, K-9 units, and bike Officers. Most of these require specialized training, and if you are selected, you are paid to be trained.

Sergeant

The first promotion available to Officers is to become a Sergeant and move into field supervision.

Sergeants - Most Sergeants serve as field supervisors. Promotional candidates must demonstrate their qualifications in this area. There are also administrative and specialized assignments for Sergeants. A minimum of five years experience as a Police Officer is required to apply for promotion to Sergeant.

Switching Jobs

Many Police Officers work several different specialized assignments during the course of their careers. All Officers who have finished their probationary period are eligible to apply for specialized divisions. Although some specialties, like Emergency Services Unit (ESU), are very selective and competitive, and will not take every applicant, there are many different jobs to choose from.

Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Unit (VAAU)

Ensures a safe environment for business and travel at LAX through compliance with the Comprehensive Airport Security Program. This is accomplished through education, self-inspection, enforcement, and the cooperative effort of the aviation community.

Internal Affairs

Investigates incidents and plausible suspicions of law-breaking and professional misconduct attributed to officers on the force.

Bicycle Patrol

Serves in numerous capacities throughout LAX, including engaging in crime suppression and criminal apprehension in the airport parking structures and outer parking lots, offering silent approach to observed or reported crimes in progress and suspicious activity, and providing rapid apprehension of fleeing suspects.

K-9

This unit is specially trained to search for and apprehend fleeing suspects, explosive materials, and other evidence. Canine teams provide high-visibility patrols of the terminal areas, respond to unattended-article calls, and provide assistance to nearby law enforcement agencies.

Crime Scene Investigation

Assists in the collection of latent prints and other evidence, prepares crime and evidence reports, assists with preliminary and follow up investigations, testifies in court proceedings regarding the collection of evidence, and provides documentation, including photographs and videotapes.

Detective

Investigates airport related crimes, conducts follow-up investigations, interviews criminal suspects and victims, and testifies in court proceedings.

Dignitary Protection

Provides world class protection of dignitaries arriving and departing LAX. This requires liaisons between federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies, including the United States Secret Service, the United States Department of State, the California Highway Patrol, the California Attorney General’s Office, and several other agencies.

Critical Infrastructure Protection

Plans, facilitates, and continually updates crisis management protocols for LAX officers. Also handles special event and emergency/disaster planning, establishment of emergency response cadres (i.e. Command Post Operations), and evaluation of critical incidents related to aviation.

Emergency Services Unit (ESU)

Provides the first tactical response to critical events (i.e. a hijacked aircraft or an active shooter). Deploys specialized equipment to aid local and federal law enforcement units in responding to critical incidents.

Commercial Enforcement

Enhances the safety of those using commercial ground transportation at LAX by inspecting the permits and work locations of passenger vehicles for hire. Also investigates traffic accidents and provides support for dignitary protection, along with other transportation-related duties.

Public Information Officer

Serves as the liaison between the LAXPD and the news media. Writes news releases and holds news conferences on major incidents and concerns to the community. Assists with news media access and coordination at crime scenes and critical incidents.

Backgrounds Unit

Conducts background investigations on police officer candidates, including interviews of neighbors, landlords, and employers of candidates. Also responsible for coordinating other aspects of candidates’ pre-employment screening. The investigator makes the initial recommendation as to the candidate’s viability for hire.

Recruitment

Main duty is to try and produce as many qualified applicants as possible for employment testing and mentor them through the process. This is accomplished through presentations, job fairs, and a variety of other recruitment efforts.

Training

This key group provides training for all the personnel of the Airport Police Division, instilling them with the knowledge and skills needed to protect all the people and property at LAX.

Video Surveillance Network

Reviews videotapes for possible identification of suspects involved in crimes and for the possible identification of witnesses to these crimes. Also monitors video surveillance equipment and prepares for court cases involving videotapes.

Motorcycle Patrol

Selected Commercial Enforcement Officers, who have passed motor school, are assigned to this unit as full time motorcycle officers.

I.C.E. TASK FORCE

Working with Immigration and U.S. Customs in a joint effort to minimize criminal activity on both State and Federal levels.

DEA TASK FORCE

Working with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency to stop the illegal transportation of narcotics and controlled substances and/or other criminal activity at LAX through the use of surveillance and search warrants.