Lateral Program

The LAPD Lateral Entry Program, Operation Blue to Blue, affords California POST Certificate Police Officers a chance to join the nation's finest law enforcement agency. Officers who have excelled in their law enforcement careers and are up to the task of meeting the high standards of the LAPD can now apply.

The Lateral Entry Program is available for candidates who have a valid California Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certificate and have successfully completed the probationary period at a California police agency.

Lateral candidates must meet all of the requirements for a Police Officer and complete all test parts. The lateral program includes an abbreviated training and orientation program. Abbreviated training for lateral officers is typically only offered quarterly. The training is conducted in a manner that recognizes the lateral candidate's standing as an experienced California Peace Officer and not a new recruit.

Based on your prior law enforcement experience, you may also be eligible for the Public Service Purchase Program (PSP). This is a voluntary program that allows officers who served in the military or were employed by other public agencies to purchase service credit in the pension plan.
* The service credit you purchase will add to your total years of service credit and therefore, increase the monthly pension allowance that you and your qualified survivors would receive from Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions.