POLICE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR 1640

Salary: $118,494.00 - $173,220.00 Annually
Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 1640 O 2026/11/13 R
Department: Police Civilian
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DUTIES

ANNUAL SALARY

$118,494 to $173,220

NOTES:

1. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
2. The current salary range is subject to change. You may confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

DUTIES

A Police Special Investigator reviews, conducts, and/or participates in investigations into matters which potentially involve criminal violations or violations of policies of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by LAPD employees; reviews and/or conducts personnel-related investigations including Use of Force investigations and In-Custody Death investigations; allegations of employee misconduct; and complaints from civilians and employees; plans investigative strategies and approaches; interviews complainants, witnesses, informants, suspects, City employees, and outside law enforcement officials; prepares oral and written reports relating to a wide variety of law enforcement practices and procedures; evaluates documentary materials including complex police investigations and supporting documentation; acts as liaison for department staff, outside agencies, and citizens making appropriate referrals; and does related work.

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and five years of full-time paid professional experience in the public or private sector investigating or researching and evaluating matters related to police or government oversight, government law, law enforcement, or public safety/criminal justice policy; or
2. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public policy, public administration or a closely related field, and two years of full-time paid professional experience in the public or private sector investigating or researching and evaluating matters related to police or government oversight, government law, law enforcement, or public safety/criminal justice policy; or
3. Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school and one year of full-time paid professional experience in the public or private sector investigating or researching and evaluating matters related to police or government oversight, government law, law enforcement, or public safety/criminal justice policy.

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.
3. For qualifying work experience in the requirements, the term "professional experience" applies to positions that require possession of a degree from an accredited four-year college or university in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered "professional," qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring a four-year degree.
4. Please note that qualifying education must be from a school accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at
5. Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE
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 available at for Open Competitive Examinations.

NOTES:

1. Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
2. All application materials must be completed at the time of filing for you to be considered a candidate in this examination.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026.
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list. 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.
SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weight: Training and Experience Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100%

The examination will consist of an evaluation of Training and Experience, wherein candidates will be evaluated on their knowledge, experience, professional background and personal qualifications and abilities. Candidates may be examined for the following competencies: reading comprehension; analytical ability; attention to detail; objectivity; fact finding; written communication; project management; job knowledge, including knowledge of: investigative and interviewing techniques; applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations; constitutional and statutory laws; rules of evidence and court procedures; techniques of identifying, collecting, preserving, and presenting evidence and research data; confidentiality laws and issues; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The Training and Experience Questionnaire will be administered on-line. Candidates invited to participate in the examination will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the specific steps needed to complete the on-line Training and Experience Questionnaire. Candidates will be required to complete the on-line Training and Experience Questionnaire between THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2027 and SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2027. Additional instructions will be sent via e-mail. Applicants who fail to complete the Training and Experience Questionnaire as instructed may be disqualified.

Training and Experience Questionnaires of all candidates will be submitted to an expert review panel for evaluation. The expert review panel will assign a numeric score to each candidate based on an assessment of each candidate's qualifications as described on the candidate's Training and Experience Questionnaire. Unsolicited supplemental information will not be submitted to the expert review panel.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to and clicking on Competencies under Police Special Investigator.

NOTES:

1. 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.
2. A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
3. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

NOTICE:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN ONLY ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:
01

To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information:

-Working E-mail address
-Telephone Number
-Official social security number

I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.

I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.

I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.

I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.

• I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.

02

I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.

I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.

I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.

In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.

• I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

03

I am currently:

• A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.
• An exempt City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.
• An exempt City of Los Angeles employee, without receiving civil service status.
• A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.
• A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.
• On a regular reserve list for the City of Los Angeles.
• Not employed with the City of Los Angeles.

04

There are three distinct methods to qualify for the Police Special Investigator examination.
• Requirement #1: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
AND
Five years of full-time paid professional experience in the public or private sector investigating or researching and evaluating matters related to police or government oversight, government law, law enforcement, or public safety/criminal justice policy.
• Requirement #2: A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public policy, public administration or a closely related field
AND
Two years of full-time paid professional experience in the public or private sector investigating or researching and evaluating matters related to police or government oversight, government law, law enforcement, or public safety/criminal justice policy.
• Requirement #3: Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school
AND
One year of full-time paid professional experience in the public or private sector investigating or researching and evaluating matters related to police or government oversight, government law, law enforcement, or public safety/criminal justice policy.

• I understand the three distinct methods to qualify for the Police Special Investigator examination.

05

Qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recogn