Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process was pretty straightforward. It mostly involves basic questions, like any other interview. If you pass, you'll be sent to a background investigator where you need to provide necessary documents. Some civilian positions might also require a polygraph exam, though not all. The decision to send someone for a polygraph is based on the initial chat with the investigator, which feels a bit unfair since not everyone has to go through it. After that, you'll get scheduled with a polygraph examiner. These examiners can be really tough because they hold all the power in deciding if you pass. Even before you're hooked up for the exam, they'll judge you based on a 'friendly chat,' which they use to decide if you're likely to have stolen things or used drugs. Even if you're truthful during the exam, they might accuse you of lying or trying to cheat. It seems like they don't know what they're doing, and the polygraph shouldn't be used to determine suitability for a job. It's clearly not effective given the number of corrupt people in the force. My friend went through the same thing, lied about a few things, and passed. My advice is to only share what you want them to know, as they can't find out unless you've had past run-ins with the law. If you've stolen something and weren't caught, don't mention it. Used drugs? Just say no.

You start by applying online. Then, they'll set you up for a written test that happens a few weeks later. If you pass that, they'll let you know the next day. After passing, you have to wait about 2-3 weeks for your exam scores to go to a background investigator. Once that's done, you'll get scheduled for a background interview. This interview needs a lot of paperwork and copies of all your personal documents. They'll look at your social media, and ask you everything from the online application plus more to get to know you better. After that, you'll take a polygraph test. Once you pass the polygraph, you'll wait a few weeks, and then they'll give you a conditional offer if you pass your medical/psychological evaluation. Then, they'll call you in to sign the rest of your appointment papers, and finally, you'll be scheduled for academy training.

They should make you do the background investigation first before they hire you. I got hired by the department I want to work for, but failed background because my BI investigator was stressed out and didn't want to do her job. It's subjective, but yes it's implicit bias. Plus the BI will put words in your mouth. You're gonna have to be consistent with your story. I think the only way into the sheriff department is nepotism and cronyism. Or be a perfect saint like Ned Flanders. You have to have a strong mind. Didn't have a good time. They can just use the giant social media API to paint a picture of what kind of person you are. Highly unrecommended. You should be nice to your new candidates. It's not professional to make them feel bullied and unwelcomed. But if that's the culture, good riddance. If BI doesn't like her job, please retire and get someone else who wants to work. Most candidates would be thrown out now with 'do you have bias via polytest?' In translation, are you xenophobic or racist or like a certain race more? With today and brainwashing media? Yes, plus there is no way to regulate it. Didn't like the fact that you had to pay up front 300 dollars to get transcripts, birth cert, and many other documents. Well in the future most jobs will be automated even BI. Shrugs shoulders. Let AI and ML choose your future candidates.

The interview panel, which included the supervisor and his backup, was really professional. They mostly asked about how my past experiences would help me do the job well, and what I'd do in some made-up situations about keeping things private or dealing with coworkers.