Job Description

Posting number: 3226 P 2026/10/9

Department: Airports

Job classification: AIRPORT POLICE SERGEANT

Posting type: Promotional

Categories: Airports

Summary

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.

Examples of duties

REQUIREMENT/ MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

Four years of full-time paid experience as a peace officer for a public, nonmilitary law enforcement agency, with at least two of those years as an Airport Police Officer or an Airport Safety Officer with Los Angeles World Airports, performing law enforcement, person and property protection, safety, and criminal deterrence activities at a Los Angeles World Airports facility.

PROCESS NOTES

1. Applicants who lack six months or less of the required experience at the time of filing may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.
2. As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.

Qualifications

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 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity/promotionaljobs for Promotional Examinations.

NOTE:

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026.

Supplemental information

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 at https://personnel.lacity.gov/doc.cfm-get=3226Biblio. Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://personnel.lacity.gov/jobs/job-analyses.cfm 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:

1. This examination is based on a validation study and, as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
2. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City Application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at https://personnel.lacity.gov/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
3. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
4. The seniority credit will be included in the final general average grade of each candidate at the rate of 0.25 of a point for each year of continuous service as a peace officer at the level of an Airport Police Officer with the City of Los Angeles prior to January 1, 2027.
5. A final average score of 70% in the interview is required to be placed on the eligible list.
6. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to file on a promotional basis.

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.