DUTIES
ANNUAL SALARY
$118,869 to $164,597
NOTE:
Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
DUTIES
An Airport Police Sergeant is a sworn peace officer, authorized to carry a firearm and make arrests with or without a warrant. Airport Police Sergeants plan, supervise, direct, control and assist Airport Police Officers in the enforcement of federal and state laws and regulations, City of Los Angeles ordinances, Airport Security Program requirements, and airport rules and regulations at any of the Los Angeles World Airports’ facilities.
WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE
WHERE TO APPLY
Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at for Promotional Examinations.
NOTE:
Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
APPLICATION DEADLINEApplications must be received by THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026.
SELECTION PROCESS
SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weights: Multiple-Choice...........................................................................Qualifying
Essay....................................................................................Advisory
Interview: (including City Application, Advisory Essay, and Personnel Folder)......................... 100%
The examination will consist of a qualifying multiple-choice test, an advisory essay and a weighted interview. Candidates must receive a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test and complete the advisory essay to continue in the examination.
In the qualifying multiple-choice test, candidates may be examined for knowledge of the following competencies: supervision and job knowledge which may include: laws, regulations, and policies governing Airport Police Officers and the aviation industry; safety principles and practices; laws of arrest and the elements of a crime; rules of evidence pertaining to searches and seizures, particularly in an airport environment; Airport Police and Los Angeles World Airports Administrative Manuals; Public Safety Officer’s Procedural Bill of Rights; City personnel rules, policies and procedures; Equal Employment Opportunity responsibilities; the ability to understand and apply policies and procedures such as Memoranda of Understanding, incident command systems, and TSA security mandates as they relate to subordinate personnel; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. It is anticipated that the remote proctored multiple-choice test will be administered from FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2026 to SATURDAY DECEMBER 12, 2026. Candidates who do not complete and submit the multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.
The multiple-choice test questions will be from sources listed on the published bibliography. Copies of the bibliography will be available on-line Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to and clicking on Competencies under Airport Police Sergeant.
The passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the qualifying multiple-choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligibles on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test may be set either above or below 70%.
In the advisory essay, candidates will be required to complete a written response on a subject related to the duties of an Airport Police Sergeant which may be aligned with the following competencies: supervision, credibility, written communication and job knowledge which may include: methods for patrolling and safeguarding Airport property; the ability to confront dangerous situations and potential acts of terrorism; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. The advisory essay will not be separately scored, but will be presented to the interview board for consideration in the overall evaluation of the candidate. Those who do not complete the advisory essay will not be invited to the interview and will be considered to have failed the entire examination. To be considered complete, the advisory essay must include a substantive response for each question or problem included in the advisory essay for which a candidate is required to provide an answer. Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date and time of the advisory essay.
In the interview, emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s experience as it has prepared the candidate to perform the duties of an Airport Police Sergeant. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: judgment and decision making, supervision, interpersonal skills, credibility, leadership, and job knowledge which may include: methods for patrolling and safeguarding Airport property; Airport Police and Los Angeles World Airports Administrative Manuals; the ability to analyze situations and implement reasonable courses of action; the ability to confront dangerous situations and potential acts of terrorism, the ability to maintain flexibility and adapt to rapidly changing situations; the ability to understand and apply policies and procedures such as Memoranda of Understanding, incident command systems, and TSA security mandates as they relate to subordinate personnel; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Candidates’ personnel packages will be reviewed by the interview panel. Candidates are encouraged to review their personnel packages well in advance of their interview. Personnel packages will not be available for updating once received at the Personnel Department. Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview.
NOTES:
THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN
ONLY ON A DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL BASIS
The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Qualifications
REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
PROCESS NOTES:
Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for City of Los Angeles is Martin Rivera.
The history of Los Angeles began in 1781 when 44 settlers from central New Spain (modern Mexico) established a permanent settlement in what is now Downtown Los Angeles, as instructed by Spanish Governor of Las Californias, Felipe de Neve, and authorized by Viceroy Antonio María de Bucareli. After sovereignty changed from Mexico to the United States in 1849, great changes came from the completion of the Santa Fe railroad line from Chicago to Los Angeles in 1885. "Overlanders" flooded in, mostly white Protestants from the Lower Midwest and South.
Los Angeles had a strong economic base in farming, oil, tourism, real estate and movies. It grew rapidly with many suburban areas inside and outside the city limits. Its motion picture industry made the city world-famous, and World War II brought new industry, especially high-tech aircraft construction. Politically the city was moderately conservative, with a weak labor union sector.
Since the 1960s, growth has slowed—and traffic delays have become infamous. Los Angeles was a pioneer in freeway development as the public transit system deteriorated. New arrivals, especially from Mexico and Asia, have transformed the demographic base since the 1960s. Old industries have declined, including farming, oil, military and aircraft, but tourism, entertainment and high-tech remain strong. Over time, droughts and wildfires have increased in frequency and become less seasonal and more year-round, further straining the city's water security.
L.A.’s economy is larger than that of Switzerland. The municipal budget was almost halved for 2021, but in 2020, the City of Los Angeles was the fifth-largest public employer locally, paying out $7.4 billion in salaries to 34,172 full-time employees.
Martin Rivera