u/JaCkOsAuReSs

I’m 30 and planning to move to Los Angeles from London. Currently awaiting my visa decision. By the time I move, I’ll have nearly 10 years’ service with the London Metropolitan Police.

My experience includes frontline response policing, public order, intelligence development, and fugitive/manhunt work. I also have a BSc in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Because Im basically restarting my career in the US, my biggest priorities are pay, pension and benefits. I’m trying to make sure that taking a significant step back in seniority/service is financially worthwhile for me.

Career opportunities are also important to me. Longer term, I’d ideally like to get back into intelligence-led investigations, locating wanted offenders, fugitive/manhunt work, surveillance or similar investigative roles.

I’m currently looking at LAPD, but also departments such as Burbank, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach and potentially LASD. I have done a couple ride alongs with the LAPD.

For current or former LA officers:

Would you choose LAPD over the smaller LA-area departments?

How realistic is it to move into Detective/intelligence/fugitive-type assignments relatively early if you already have substantial policing experience?

Does previous overseas police experience actually carry much weight once you’re in?

Are there other LA-area departments you think would make better use of my experience and degree?

Taking pay, pension, benefits and career opportunities together, where would you apply if you were in my position?

Thank you for any advice, I really appreciate it.

I’m 30 and planning to move to Los Angeles from London. Currently awaiting my visa decision. By the time I move, I’ll have nearly 10 years’ service with the London Metropolitan Police.

My experience includes frontline response policing, public order, intelligence development, and fugitive/manhunt work. I also have a BSc in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Because Im basically restarting my career in the US, my biggest priorities are pay, pension and benefits. I’m trying to make sure that taking a significant step back in seniority/service is financially worthwhile for me.

Career opportunities are also important to me. Longer term, I’d ideally like to get back into intelligence-led investigations, locating wanted offenders, fugitive/manhunt work, surveillance or similar investigative roles.

I’m currently looking at LAPD, but also departments such as Burbank, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach and potentially LASD. I have done a couple ride alongs with the LAPD.

For current or former LA officers:

Would you choose LAPD over the smaller LA-area departments?

How realistic is it to move into Detective/intelligence/fugitive-type assignments relatively early if you already have substantial policing experience?

Does previous overseas police experience actually carry much weight once you’re in?

Are there other LA-area departments you think would make better use of my experience and degree?

Taking pay, pension, benefits and career opportunities together, where would you apply if you were in my position?

Thank you for any advice, I really appreciate it.

I’m 30 and planning to move to Los Angeles from London. Currently awaiting my visa decision. By the time I move, I’ll have nearly 10 years’ service with the London Metropolitan Police.

My experience includes frontline response policing, public order, intelligence development, and fugitive/manhunt work. I also have a BSc in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Because Im basically restarting my career in the US, my biggest priorities are pay, pension and benefits. I’m trying to make sure that taking a significant step back in seniority/service is financially worthwhile for me.

Career opportunities are also important to me. Longer term, I’d ideally like to get back into intelligence-led investigations, locating wanted offenders, fugitive/manhunt work, surveillance or similar investigative roles.

I’m currently looking at LAPD, but also departments such as Burbank, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach and potentially LASD. I have done a couple ride alongs with the LAPD.

For current or former LA officers:

Would you choose LAPD over the smaller LA-area departments?

How realistic is it to move into Detective/intelligence/fugitive-type assignments relatively early if you already have substantial policing experience?

Does previous overseas police experience actually carry much weight once you’re in?

Are there other LA-area departments you think would make better use of my experience and degree?

Taking pay, pension, benefits and career opportunities together, where would you apply if you were in my position?

Thank you for any advice, I really appreciate it.