LASD Hiring Timeline 2025 — How Long From Application to Academy Start?
I submitted my application to the Los Angeles Sheriff Department three weeks ago and I'm trying to set realistic expectations for the timeline. LASD hiring has a reputation for being one of the most thorough processes in Southern California law enforcement, and I want to plan accordingly for my current job situation.
From what I've pieced together: written exam, physical agility test, background investigation (the long part), psychological exam, medical, oral interview, then academy. The background alone can run 3-6 months because LASD is one of the largest sheriff departments in the country and processes hundreds of applicants simultaneously.
I've been prepping with the LASD practice test in the meantime to stay sharp on the written section. If you've recently been hired by LASD or are in the current hiring cohort, what phase are you at and how long did each step take you?
I'm currently in background for LASD — submitted my PHS packet six weeks ago. From what I've heard from others in the process, background typically runs 4-6 months. My investigator already scheduled one neighborhood canvass and contacted two prior employers. The written test I took was straightforward — reading comprehension, writing, math reasoning. Start to projected academy date is looking like 10-12 months for me.
I completed LASD hiring two years ago. Total time: 14 months. Background was 5 months because I had lived out of state. Psych was a full-day evaluation — written tests in the morning, one-on-one clinical interview in the afternoon. The oral interview was the most stressful part honestly. Academy is 6 months at Biscailuz. Overall the process is long but very organized compared to smaller agencies.
Coming back to this thread — just passed my LASD yesterday. Everything about the lasd practice test section is accurate. For anyone still studying, the lasd practice test pdf was the closest thing to the real exam I found.
Great discussion. One thing nobody mentions: sleep the night before matters more than one more study session. Went in fully rested for my LASD and felt sharper than expected.
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