Los Angeles Port Police

"Sworn to protect, dedicated to serve."

As one of few police forces in the nation dedicated exclusively to 24-hour port activities, the Los Angeles Port Police are responsible for patrol and surveillance of the Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Harbor Area communities. As California peace officers, the Port Police enforce federal, state and local public safety statutes as well as environmental and maritime safety regulations. Highly regarded among specialized law enforcement agencies, the primary goal of the Port Police is to maintain the free flow of commerce and produce a safe, secure environment that promotes uninterrupted Port operations.

Recruitment
Port Police officers' range of duties include the safety and security of all passenger, cargo and vessel operations. Officers patrol the waterfront by boat, helicopter, automobile and bicycle; monitor vessel berthings to ensure safe docking; issue hazardous cargo and dangerous-goods permits; inspect vessels to guard against drug smuggling and pollution violations; enforce local, state and federal laws; provide special training and general assistance to customer security operations.

Port Police officers are assigned to the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department and undergo basic police academy training followed by field training with a field training officer. They may be assigned to patrol by vehicle or boat. Boat patrols include the enforcement of laws regulating vessel traffic, pollution investigations, handling of navigational hazards, inspections of docks, wharves, marinas, and all Port-controlled waterways.

Port Police officers receive general law enforcement and regulatory assignments designed to promote a safe port. Officers may also independently initiate actions designed to respond to long-term or continuing criminal or safety problems as well as respond to individual criminal activity. Officer duties require considerable public and community contact and cooperation.

View Los Angeles Port Police Job Bulletin.

Jumpstart your career as a Port Police officer today! Click on the link below to fill out a City application in order to be considered and begin the testing process to become a Port Police Officer. Be sure to include the four digit class code 3221 at the top of the City application.

Apply now to become a Port Police Officer.

For more information, call (866) PORT-PD1/(866) 767-8731.

Recruitment Incentive Program (RIP)
The Los Angeles Port Police Officer Recruitment Incentive Program (RIP) is a program that enables City of Los Angeles employees to earn $1,000 by referring a candidate who is successfully trained and ultimately hired by the Los Angeles Port Police. The incentive program was approved by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on March 1, 2007.  The $1,000 incentive is paid in two installments: $500 at date of hire by the Port Police and $500 upon the candidate’s completion of academy training and reporting to the Port Police Department.

Recruitment Incentive Program Overview

Recruitment Incentive Program Form

Expedited Port Police Officer Testing
Date(s):	Saturday, April 19, 2008 Saturday, May 17, 2008 Saturday, June 21, 2008 Saturday, July 19, 2008 Saturday, August 16, 2008 Saturday, September 20, 2008 Saturday, October 18, 2008 Saturday, November 15, 2008 Saturday, December 20, 2008
Time:	7:30 a.m. (Registration at 7 a.m.)
Location:	Port of Los Angeles High School 250 W. 5th Street San Pedro, CA 90731
Notes:	Full day of testing will include the following exams: Personal Qualification Essay (PQE) and Physical Abilities Test (PAT). Workout clothes are recommended for the PAT. You must make an appointment to take the expedited testing at least one week prior to the date you plan to test by contacting Port Police recruitment at (866) PORT-PD1/(866) 767-8731 or JoinPortPD@portla.org. More information about expedited Port Police Officer testing.

Whether patrolling by land, sea, air, or even underwater, policing the harbor is definitely an exciting job. The Los Angeles Port Police is recruiting applicants to become officers on the front lines of security at the nation's busiest port. Possible assignments include:

Port Police Patrol
Los Angeles Port Police officers are responsible for enforcing all the laws and ordinances within the jurisdiction of the Port of Los Angeles, including its commercial operations, docks and marinas, recreational, residential and neighboring areas. Los Angeles Port Police Officers may also be involved with other programs such as participation in bicycle patrol, K-9, dive operations, sea marshal operations, detectives, or involvement in narcotics, cargo theft, or anti-terrorism task forces.

Port Police Dive Team
Formed in 1989, the Los Angeles Port Police Dive Team serve as an underwater unit who police the entire port area from the docks to the breakwater. The Dive Team often assists the U.S. Coast Guard to investigate spills, accidents and suspicious incidents.

Port Police K-9 Unit
Canine officers are a vital component of the Port Police. The drug-sniffing dogs are certified by the California Narcotics Canine Association and are trained to sniff and locate narcotics in any of the thousands of cargo and passenger ships that move through the Port each year. The bomb dogs are specifically trained to sniff out explosive materials with a primary assignment of patrolling cruise ships and the World Cruise Center Terminal.

Cargo Theft Interdiction Program (CTIP)
Formerly known as Cargo CATs (Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team), CTIP is a coordinated multi-agency effort responsible for the prevention and investigation of incidents of cargo theft in Southern California. The CTIP partnership includes several major law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels: Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Vernon Police Department, California Department of Insurance and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection.

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
The HIDTA is a coordinated anti-drug task force that targets drug trafficking in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Operated by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies teamed up to form the HIDTA. This task force replaced the Marine Anti-Smuggling Team (MAST), originally formed in 1994.