Special Police

[madlib]

I just read the post of that one guy who said he was special police and was called a wannabe. Why do you guys think that special police are one notch under real cops and one notch above security guards?

[Switchback]

Most have EXTREMELY limited arrest powers and authority... much like a security guard.

...and even you make the distinction between REAL cops and Special Police Officers.

[Taz_bb2]

If a special police sees a douchebag hit his wife at an intersection that is NOT in his limited jurisdiction (specific geographical area), he can do nothing about it other than call 911 like every other civilian.

A police officer has jurisdiction in his township, a deputy sheriff in the entire county...on or off duty. They can arrest the DB on sight...a misdemeanor was committed in their presence. Special Police cannot do this. Citizens arrest is generally limited to felonies...if a citizen tries to arrest someone for a misdemeanor (which the special police would be doing out of their jurisdiction), the "arrestee" can sue for false imprisonment.

Clear as mud????

[madlib]

I only ask this because I am applying for the "Special Police" of Los Angeles. They take the same application process as LAPD, Airport police, and Harbor police. They even go through the same academy. http://www.lacity.org/per/exams/exam3183.htm here is the link to the bulletin for special officer job.

[Switchback]

If they are SO SIMILAR, then why are they "special"?

:rolleyes:

[madlib]

If they are SO SIMILAR, then why are they "special"?

:rolleyes:

haha I really don't know why they are called "special" police. They are also called General Service Police Department.

[Switchback]

We have an LAPD officer or 2 on here and I am sure they will be much more kowledgable on this matter. Call it a hunch, but I would venture a guess that these Special Police Officers do physical security and ONLY physical security of specific sites.

[stewie]

We have an LAPD officer or 2 on here and I am sure they will be much more kowledgable on this matter. Call it a hunch, but I would venture a guess that these Special Police Officers do physical security and ONLY physical security of specific sites.

General Services Police Department (GSD Police) are POST certified and attend the Los Angeles Police Academy. We had two people in my class with GSD. Their job title is "Special Police Officer". GSD Police are responsible for the Cities buildings, parks, zoos, libraries etc...

They have full powers of arrest 24/7 however I believe that they must leave their duty firearms at work when they are off duty. They basically do physical security and park patrols. They help us out when they can but realize that the whole PD is only about 300 Officers spread out over the entire City of Los Angeles.

Their starting pay is slightly higher than ours and they have nice benefits plus all their equipment/uniforms are issued to them. However it's not my cup of tea. Good luck to you.

FWIW they have FAR more authority then certain other "Special Police Officers" that you've mentioned.

[bluelightzgrl]

General Services Police Department (GSD Police) are POST certified and attend the Los Angeles Police Academy. We had two people in my class with GSD. Their job title is "Special Police Officer". GSD Police are responsible for the Cities buildings, parks, zoos, libraries etc...

I saw that you said their powers are 24/7, but are their powers limited to these areas? And are they authorized to carry off duty?

[stewie]

I saw that you said their powers are 24/7, but are their powers limited to these areas? And are they authorized to carry off duty?

I know for a fact that they can carry off-duty but it has to be their own gun (and on their "card" i.e just like us they have to qualify with whatever they carry off-duty). I believe just like all POST certified Officers/Deputies in the State of CA you are considered a Police Officer 24/7 with powers throughout the State. However I don't know a whole lot about their policies/procedures since they are kind of their own entity and I never really looked into it.

[madlib]

I saw that you said their powers are 24/7, but are their powers limited to these areas? And are they authorized to carry off duty?

I believe they are responsible for those areas but can arrest whenever they see fit.

[Norm357]

If they are SO SIMILAR, then why are they "special"?

:rolleyes:

They rode the short bus?

[Super Six 5]

They rode the short bus?

Dear Norm,



:D

[Norm357]

Dear Norm,



:D

Excellent! :D

[Norm357]

BTW, the LA Special Police don't sound like a bad gig to me.;)

Other than having to live in LA of course.