• Using poor examples that fail to showcase their abilities and potential
• Failure to provide enough details that would make the essays clear and easier to understand
• Failure to stay on topic (i.e. rambling, too much detail, or irrelevant information)
• Failure to provide all information asked for in the essay questions (i.e. did not completely answer the questions)
• Lacks adequate written communication skills (i.e. English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.)

If you feel that you may need improvement in your written communication skills, we encourage you to take steps to improve in this area. You may want to consider taking a college course in business English and/or essay writing. Below are some courses offered through the Los Angeles Community College District that may interest you.*

Course Name	Course Number	Description
Business English	Business 31 (or CAOT 31)	Knowledge of English grammar and punctuation rules; practice in writing sentences and paragraphs
College Reading Skills	English 20	Techniques to improve reading skills and to write clear, coherent compositions
College Reading and Composition I	English 101	Develops proficiency in college-level reading and writing through the practice of critical thinking and well-developed logical expository writing

* Course names, numbers, and descriptions from the Los Angeles City College 06-07 Catalog

• Type or print neatly using black ink when filling out your Personal History Form (PHF).
• You must do the research necessary to provide accurate answers in every area. "I do not remember" is not an acceptable answer on your PHF.
• Be well rested and have a good meal before your background interview. Hunger and thirst can distract you.
• Dress comfortably. (Business casual)
• Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled background interview appointment time.
• For parking during regular business hours, there are 10-hour meters in the surrounding areas of the building (bring change) and also parking lots within a couple of blocks (Temple & Alameda) of the Personnel Building are available for a nominal fee.

Background Standards
The Background Standards for public safety positions in the City of Los Angeles reflect the very high standards demanded of candidates for public safety job classifications and safety sensitive positions within City service. They are designed to identify the kinds of behaviors which are required of Public Safety Officers serving the citizens of the City of Los Angeles. Each candidate’s past choices, judgments, and behaviors will be compared to these demanding standards. Candidates who fall short of demonstrating consistently sound decision making, maturity, and responsible past behaviors in each of these areas will not be further considered for employment in these critical positions.

Each Standard represents an area that is essential for success in public safety employment. Positions such as Police Officer, Police Specialist, Port Police Officer, Special Officer, and Firefighter, along with other public safety positions designated by the General Manager, are positions of special public trust for which these exacting standards have been designed. The City identifies and selects only those individuals with the highest chance of success in their training and in continuing employment in these critical positions.

Candidates are asked to critically assess their own background in light of these Standards before beginning the examination process.

THE STANDARDS

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, SENSITIVITY, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS

Public Safety Officers must be able to draw on extraordinary levels of tact and diplomacy to achieve their goals while dealing with the diverse population of the City of Los Angeles. They must be able to use advice, appropriate warnings and persuasion to engender cooperation from the public. Additionally, they must be able to work effectively either as an individual or as a member of a larger team. Each candidate shall demonstrate an understanding of the skills necessary to deal effectively with others in a cooperative and courteous manner. Desired behaviors may include, but are not limited to:

• Understanding the impact of words and behavior on others, and modifying one’s own behavior, comments, or course of action accordingly
• Concern for the feelings and perspectives of others
• Demonstration of impartiality in dealing with issues of age, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, and cultural diversity
• Use of tact and diplomacy to achieve goals, resolve disputes, and to diffuse or deescalate conflict
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, making appropriate contributions and recognizing the achievements of others
  
  Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
  Incidents of domestic violence; use of verbal or physical abuse or violence toward others indicating a lack of self-control; inability to get along with others in work or personal life; failure to listen effectively; use of derogatory stereotypes in jokes or daily language; making rude and/or condescending remarks to or about others; use of physical force to resolve disputes; demonstrated overreaction to criticism; inability to work effectively as a “team player”; disruptive/challenging to authority; use of harassment, threats, or intimidation to gain an advantage.
  

• Critically analyze options and determine an appropriate course of action in a given situation
• Act assertively and without hesitation, but without overreacting
• Make quick, responsible decisions under pressure
• Persuade others to own point of view or to desired course of action
• Know when to make an exception; exercise appropriate discretion
• Prioritize competing demands
• Simultaneously and appropriately address multiple tasks
• Make appropriate choices without constant supervision or detailed instructions
• Creatively develop innovative solutions to problems
  
  Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
  Making poor choices given known circumstances; indecision when options are not clear-cut; failure to take action when appropriate or demonstrating insecurity about making a decision ; behavior indicating poor judgment or failure to consider appropriate options; failure to learn from past mistakes; inability or unwillingness to modify a position; rigid adherence to rules without consideration of alternative information; failure to see or consider all options; succumbing to peer pressure.

• Refraining from engaging in conduct which, by its very nature, would reflect poorly on the City and limit a Public Safety Officer’s ability to do his or her job effectively
• Adhering to legal and societal constraints and requirements of conduct
• Considering the consequences prior to taking an action
• Accepting responsibility for past actions and mistakes
• Taking proper precautions and avoid unnecessarily risky behavior
• Using constructive criticism to improve performance
• Working well in unstructured situations with minimal supervision
  
  Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
  Use of illegal drugs; abuse of alcohol or prescription medications; failure to follow all laws and common rules of conduct; associating with individuals who break the law; being argumentative, defensive, or blaming others (or circumstances) for mistakes made; past behavior which indicates a tendency to resort to use of force to gain objectives; overbearing in approach to resolving problems; unnecessarily confrontational taking unnecessary personal risks; placing others at risk through one’s own actions; reacting childishly or with anger to criticism or disappointment.

• Being truthful in dealings with others
• Fully cooperating and being completely forthcoming during the pre-employment selection process
• Admitting and understanding past mistakes
• Refraining from using employment or a position of authority for personal gain
• Refraining from “bending” rules or otherwise trying to “beat the system”
• Accepting responsibility for one’s own actions
  
  Examples of Potentially Disqualifying Evidence
  Makes false and/or misleading statements or intentionally omits relevant information; purposefully withholds information; minimizes past mistakes or errors; blames others/makes excuses for mistakes; attempts to induce others to give false information; “bends” the rules or uses a position of authority for personal gain; refuses to accept responsibility for improper actions; condones the unethical behavior of others through silence; engages in illegal or immoral activities of such a nature that would be offensive to contemporary community standards of propriety; theft; fraud.

• Advancement in the workplace through promotion or increased responsibilities
  
• Completing work as required and on schedule
  
• Meeting high standards for punctuality and attendance
  
• Meeting family obligations
  
• Educational achievement
  
• Involvement in volunteer or community improvement activities
  
• Easily meeting unpredictable or unexpected challenges
  
  
  Examples of potentially disqualifying evidence
  Failure to meet commitments to work, school, family, volunteer or community activities.

• The exercise of fiscal responsibility and acceptance of responsibility for financial obligations
  
• Employing safe driving practices
  
• Maintaining stable employment
  
• Obeying laws, rules, regulations, and orders
  
• Military accomplishments
  
  
  Examples of potentially disqualifying evidence Past due accounts, discharged debts, late payments, collection accounts, civil judgments and/or bankruptcy; failure to exercise fiscal responsibility commensurate with income; failure to follow all traffic laws; numerous moving and non-moving violations; at fault traffic accidents; terminations or suspensions from work; reprimands or counseling for poor work performance (including Military service); failure to meet obligations (for example, auto insurance, auto registration, selective service registration, IRS requirements, child support obligations, etc.); law enforcement contacts, arrests, and convictions (as appropriate); other than Honorable discharge from the military.

• You must have had at least 6 hours of sleep the night before your exam. Eight is better!
• If it takes you over one hour to drive to Los Angeles, please consider coming into the City the day before your appointment and staying at a local hotel or arriving well ahead of your appointment. You must be well rested for your exam.
• Have a good meal. Hunger and thirst can distract you.
• Do not wear a suit, tie, long sleeves, jeans, or high heels. Dress comfortably. Wear a short-sleeved, polo style shirt/blouse. (Business Casual)
• For evening appointments, please report to guard.
• For daytime appointments, please park in lot on Los Angeles and 2nd street.
• Do not take polygraph test if you are ill.
• Remember to relax and be honest. Do not take steps to "help" yourself pass or attempt to beat the polygraph. Listen only to the examiner's instructions at the time of your polygraph.

Body Fat
Each candidate will have their percent of body fat determined during the medical evaluation process. A candidate must not exceed the current body fat percentage standard. The current standard is: Female 30% and Male 22%.

Vision
Vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye with the following exceptions. If glasses are worn, vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye while wearing the glasses and uncorrected distance vision must not exceed 20/70 in either eye and the better eye must be at least 20/40. If soft contact lenses are worn, they must have been worn for at least three months and vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye tested with the contacts in. If a LASIK procedure (refractive surgery) was performed, vision must be at least 20/30 in each eye. In addition, candidates must be able to accurately and quickly name colors, and must be free from other visual impairments that would restrict the ability to perform law enforcement duties.

Hearing
Candidates must be able to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech, and localize sounds. Specialized testing methods are used to determine hearing capability. Although hearing aid use is not automatically disqualifying, additional specialized tests will be administered to determine if the use of hearing aids will be permitted.

Disqualifying Psychological Factors
Candidates with a history or prior diagnosis of a psychological or psychiatric condition, including learning disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder, or who have been treated with psychotropic medication or therapy, will be asked to provide relevant medical records before a final psychological determination can be made.

Certain conditions that have been suspected or diagnosed such as most learning disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity, may require additional testing and review of relevant medical records. In many cases these conditions/diagnoses result in a disqualification due to a lack of adequate treatment and persisting symptoms.

Other conditions such as bipolar disorder, recurring major depression, with or without psychotic features or suicidal ideation, recurring anxiety disorders, with or without panic attacks, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and most diagnoses leading to a psychiatric hospitalization are highly disqualifying. Although the candidate will be asked to provide relevant medical records documenting the conditions and treatment received, these conditions often provide a basis for disqualification for a police officer position.