The Los Angeles Police Department wants to make it easier for new high school graduates and people leaving the military to join the department, says the Los Angeles Times. It may offer them civilian jobs while they wait to clear background checks or to meet age requirements. The department’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan will force the departure of hundreds of veteran officers beginning July 1.
Nearly 300 officers who are part of the plan will be forced to retire during the next year. One proposal would address the year or more it takes for the city to complete the officer hiring process, including the background check. People leaving the military are not always willing to wait to take a police job if there is a gap of a year or more before they can start. The city is considering giving military veterans civilian police jobs so they can earn pay and benefits as they wait for Police Academy acceptance.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-drop29mar29,1,5745258.story?coll=la-headlines-california