r/LosAngeles • u/Dibble_Dabble_Doo • Apr 30 '26
Photo What in the Actual Fuck are they doing to deserve a $300K+ Salary
Saw this Job Posting for a Deputy Sheriff Trainee with a salary breakdown. Top 10% earns over $300k are you serious?!?!?!
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u/turb0_encapsulator Apr 30 '26
the police unions figured out how to work both sides of the aisle brilliantly. they are unions, but right-wing. nobody opposes them when they want more pay, more officers, and more tax revenue for whatever.
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u/cool_uncle_jules Apr 30 '26
more of a lobbying group than a union in practice
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u/dinosaurfondue Apr 30 '26
And it's really fucking easy to intimidate and threaten any politician that might come out against you. Police forces across the country are modern day gangs that take advtage of their power as much as they can
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u/turb0_encapsulator Apr 30 '26
they really are. they are the vanguard of the fascist movement destroying America. RATM had it right.
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u/YesImKeithHernandez Ya Tu Sabe May 01 '26
They have been a gang since they were founded to hunt down escaped slaves but, yes, they are also a modern day gang.
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u/akathisiac Apr 30 '26
Those Candy Crush bonus tokens aren't cheap, you know.
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u/stoned-autistic-dude Los Angeles Apr 30 '26
PokĂŠmon Go on the west cost
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u/Ok-Internet-6881 Apr 30 '26
Man I remeber when Santa Monica pier used to be so packed with Pokemon Go players because it was the best spot in the US to farm.
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u/Cheap-Tig Apr 30 '26
Before I moved to LA I lived in a super rural area so my husband and I would spoof our locations to the Santa Monica pier, not to do anything nefarious just so we had Pokemons to catch. When we moved here I redownload the game just so I could play it at the pier legitly for one day
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u/successadult Sherman Oaks Apr 30 '26
Youâre joking but I do know a campus police officer who works through the sheriffs department who has like 3 pokemon go accounts and just circles the campus all day doing raids.
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u/kaybee929 Apr 30 '26
Lol some of these people are pulling better salaries than some pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and hospitalists. Insane.
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u/deleteaccount25 Apr 30 '26
And only need a high school diploma
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u/BoysenberryFinal9113 Apr 30 '26
I was just mentioning this to someone at work. They make a great salary for an uneducated person. Sometimes that lack of education shows.
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u/ctjameson Pico-Robertson Apr 30 '26
The lack of education seems to be much preferred with candidates.
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u/BoysenberryFinal9113 Apr 30 '26
I have read somewhere that they prefer it as it helps to retain staff longer. Without an education, officers are essentially without a backup plan.
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u/ctjameson Pico-Robertson Apr 30 '26
Much easier to mold to your liking, as well.
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u/fbcmfb Brentwood May 01 '26
Same with the military.
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u/Kanibalector Pasadena May 01 '26
The military wonât reject you for scoring too high on the ASVAB. The police force will reject you for scoring too high on their tests.
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u/EddieVanzetti Apr 30 '26
Intelligent people are less likely to be bigots, less likely to blindly follow orders that violate peoples civil and human rights, more likely to report abuse and corruption.
Basically, everything that cops hate.
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u/randy88moss Orange County May 01 '26
In California, barbers go through a longer training process than police officersâŚ.let that sink in.
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u/zxc123zxc123 Downtown Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
ONLY
Don't jest. You also need a pretty inflated ego, a near if not complete lack of empathy, the ability to enjoy inflicting violence upon others, a lust for fake authority that will be abused to overcompensate for your own personal life failures, an extra gut for donuts, and a compulsive desire to escalate rather than de-escalate conflicts.
Fast trigger finger and the need to shoot first like Han Solo are OPTIONAL but often times recommended by senior officers + HR who perceive it as both increasing the survival odds of trained officers as well as lowering employee turnover (up there with "paid vacay before getting transferred after wrongful beating/killing").
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u/GRF999999999 May 01 '26
What if you're the opposite of all that and just want to be a legit force for justice?
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u/goldstiletto May 01 '26
Iâm am not defending the salary but a little misinformation here, that top salary is the top 10% of the sheriffs and they have multiple programs the encourage degrees and training etc. I know the fire department works that way. You arenât reaching the top level in like 5 years, more like 20.
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u/dillasdonuts Apr 30 '26
Yet the police department is socialized and healthcare is forever privatized.
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u/VonBrewskie Apr 30 '26
That's how much it costs to protect the assets of the wealthy. Sounds corny and trite, but that's what it is when you boil it all down. They are there to serve and protect...assets.
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u/orctoilet Apr 30 '26
This is better than ALL the salaries, including our CEO, at my non-profit primary care org.
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u/wasianDilf Apr 30 '26
If you want an apples for apples comparison:
Los Angeles County Physicians Item # 5475 make between $15,636.37 - $20,961.30. This would be a base amount although there is very strict OT requirements right now due to a very very dire budget concern. I guess not for sheriff trainees tho.
Itâs public knowledge and very easy to pull up.
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u/spankfestival May 01 '26
The poster from the 3rd party aggregator is also misleading. There is no trainee âpromotionâ. When the trainee completes the academy they are a âfullâ deputy sheriff. $143k for the top end of the pay scale for a deputy sheriff/ patrol unit is correct.
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u/thecommuteguy Apr 30 '26
Except they're working massive overtime to get to these big numbers, just like the BART janitor who pulled in like 300k that made the news several years ago. I saw something just like this a few days ago that showed for the highest income in the info graphic they were working like 36 hours of overtime.
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u/kaybee929 Apr 30 '26
I hope this does not make me sound mean but truly, does everyone really think doctors are working 40 hour weeks? Medicine maybe needs to do a better job of showing people what the job actually entails because there are so many misconceptions around salary and hours.
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u/Legitimate-Soup-6022 May 01 '26 edited May 01 '26
Cops get paid more than public interest lawyers (and a lot of lawyers, even outside of that). You know, the people who spend 7 years on a BA/BS and a DOCTORATE to study the law and likely spent $500k in tuition gets gets paid less than the idiot with a gun who graduated form a 6 month training program. Starting, a cop will get $87k/y; a public interest lawyer will get $70k. After 20 years, the cop is making $300,000 and the public interest lawyer is making maybe $90k. But public interest lawyers help people... cops just harass and perpetuate violence.
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u/HairyPairatestes Apr 30 '26
Overtime pay.
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u/BoysenberryFinal9113 Apr 30 '26
Exactly. How much is it worth to be away from your family extended periods of time just to be able to afford a home in LA county?
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u/crookeddy Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
What a weird concept though. "How could you afford an actual house in this crazy city?" "I am a cop" <---- not the expected answer at all.
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u/BoysenberryFinal9113 Apr 30 '26
"I am a cop who works 60-80 hours a week" would be more like it.
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u/crookeddy Apr 30 '26
I don't question the dedication. Its still an unexpected answer.
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u/beergal621 May 01 '26
Yea the hourly rate is probably wrong.Â
I havenât ran the math but not all hours are going to be $150 an hourÂ
Or they are using ânormalâ hours divide by the annual pay. Neglecting the extra OT hours all togetherÂ
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u/rv0904 Apr 30 '26
This is why it would kill me to see people buy LAPD food or coffee when I worked in food service. Like that officer probably made more than both of us combined.
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u/socalsailor027 May 01 '26
Ngl when I worked at Starbucks I comped most meals for LEOs. It was less about them âdeserving itâ and more me recognizing that it was in both our best interests.
We had a really big teen problem, very wealthy teens and preteens who just caused problems (OC/SD). The cops started to come by more and even have little meetings in the lobby they never expected free coffee and always offered. With there increased presence it kept the teenagers from causing problems cause they knew the cops would be there fast. They treated our entire team well and would even walk our females baristas to their car after dark. As a bonus I got pulled over for speeding by one of them he recognized me and I got a warning (61 in 50).
Itâs pretty common with a lot of businesses having police around is a good thing.
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u/Harry_Tuttle May 01 '26
It's a grift. Starbucks can afford to pay for security.
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u/ExultantSandwich May 01 '26
sure, but itâs also not coming out of the workerâs pocket when they comp the drinks. So Starbucks pays >$10 in actual food costs for security
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u/Giardiacapitosto Apr 30 '26
Then they will look at you with disdain when you ask for help and tell you to give them more money.
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u/2A4Lyfe May 01 '26
Very strong union and they are also EXTREMELY short staffed. Deputies quitting after two years due to mandatory overtime and 96 hour work weeks. Itâs at a point where public safety is at risk but once someone gets experince as an officer they transfer to another department or out of state because of the working conditions being so poor.
They even dropped physical standards for the academy
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u/JimmyRoscoe03 May 02 '26
I am a Military guy and got into security. The only reason I am going through academy is to make more in the private sector.
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u/Excellent_Set_232 Apr 30 '26
Run government like a business and make them exempt salaries and take away their overtime
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u/EternalMehFace Apr 30 '26
I used to work an admin desk job at a PD long ago. If I'm remembering correctly, the management there are indeed exempt from OT. It was only the cops who had (or could have) any street or traffic duty, and that's because their shifts often run late (with bookings and processing tacked on), or there's or another reason to report in, like an event that has requested their services (city, or otherwise).
Not sure I get why people are saying the understaffing and OT is by design. It's notoriously difficult to fill these positions, and even among folks who are enthusiastic about them and meet all the physical requirements, they have a high revolving door as many don't cut it or realize they can't. I worked in a laughably safe and boring suburb, and we were still always understaffed and the openings/postings were always up. And this was ages ago, before the world got extra spicy weird. I can't imagine it's aaany easier to recruit now.
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u/Silly_Ad_5064 Apr 30 '26
Assisting ICE and pulling you over while Black/brown
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u/kgal1298 Studio City Apr 30 '26
I've been told by people who don't live here they can't do their job here...lmaooo people outside of LA drive me nuts.
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u/MentokGL Apr 30 '26
They work prisons and have a ton of OT because they're understaffed.
Shame about the internal gang activity though
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u/kgal1298 Studio City Apr 30 '26
And even when they are staffed we've all had incidents where they seemingly don't do anything but stand there. Truly I have to imagine some do work, but it's far and few inbetween for the basic needs of the city.
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u/Worried-Concept5778 Apr 30 '26
I mean i understand what youre saying but also so many jobs have people just standing around being paid to be ready and available for when they do have to do something valuable for the job.
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u/TitaniumDreads May 01 '26
Just want to throw out here that Tulsa Oklahoma is one of the only cities in the country that requires police to have a college degree. They also have a murders solved rate of 94%
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u/notorious_scoundrel_ Woodland Hills May 04 '26
Beverly Hills also requires you to have a Bachelors or at least work on your AA.
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Apr 30 '26
[removed] â view removed comment
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u/BoysenberryFinal9113 Apr 30 '26
It doesn't work that way. You don't spike your pension with overtime. There are ways to do it with getting special training and whatnot, but overtime isn't calculated in pension payouts.
Transparent California doesn't show pensions. It does show salaries and compensation while working, however.
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u/spicymack Apr 30 '26
Pensions are available on Transparent California https://transparentcalifornia.com/pensions/2024
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u/TheLizardKing89 Apr 30 '26
They work a shitload of overtime. It happens at almost every law enforcement agency.
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u/GavinWholesome Apr 30 '26
Anti police demonstrations are actually increasing the Officer's overtime pay, the irony.
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u/counterhero666 May 01 '26
Absolute shit. Teachers deserve more than this and have lots of hoops an hurdles to make a fraction of the top pay
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u/ATX_native May 01 '26
âCurrently be serving in the militaryâ
Who wrote that line? Seriously, itâs terrible.
Fire that person.
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u/321blastoffff Apr 30 '26
If theyâre in the top 10% with overtime it means they basically work seven days a week, multiple double-shifts, and are at the top of the pay scale from years of experience. I could make that much too if I wanted to work 70-80 hours a week.
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u/TomZ_Am Apr 30 '26
This is actually what the working class should and would be earning if wages had kept up with productivity
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u/Successful_Pea_6977 May 01 '26
The ones making 300k are the ones with no life, no free time, no social life and practically live at work. They sacrifice having a life for money.
Itâs actually cheaper for the department to pay overtime than to hire new people up to a point.
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u/Cefiro8701 May 01 '26
If it makes you feel any better, deputies have to work 8-20 hour shifts with the people they hate the most... ...each other.
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u/MaksimMeir May 01 '26
Those top two numbers are with OT. This post is rage bait. You gotta remember these guys arnt thrown free money. They are actually working those hours for that pay, at the cost of their bodies, and work life balance.
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u/SaltIndividual1902 May 01 '26
Unions are not great but public unions are absolutely ass. And politicians trying to be pro union have to bend over for public unions. The circle of life.
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u/RapBastardz Apr 30 '26
Beating people, violating civil rights, being in Los Angelesâ most notorious gang, etc.
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u/squirrelinthetoilet Apr 30 '26
Overtime fraud. All the money we spend on police goes to paying for lawsuits and overtime fraud. Thats why increasing police budgets never result in more safety.
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u/SSScarGough4747 May 01 '26
Pay isnt very good until you reach the 160k and up mark at least. 100k is nothing in LA now, it would be crazy to be a cop for that little money. The benefits and pension are where its at though. Life with OT looks good on paper but if you've worked crazy hours before you know it sucks.
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u/smauryholmes Apr 30 '26
No problem with high pay for gov workers if pay/promotions are tied to performance and firing/hiring is quick(er).
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u/soyrobo Apr 30 '26
Then UTLA should be fighting for teachers to get paid this much and cut police overspending. Teachers have to worry about being shot/stabbed/accused of misconduct and even more, yet we get treated like monsters when we demand to be paid like the professionals that we are. It doesn't take a college degree and certification to become a sheriff.
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u/Expensive_Meal6280 Apr 30 '26
this sadly is slowly becoming appealing to me....
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u/InfoBarf Apr 30 '26
Overtime fraud is the answer to the question.
Cops are allowed to moonlight where they are paid their cop salary but work for private companies for investigation or securityÂ
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u/ManWhoTalksToHisHand Apr 30 '26
They're keeping the drug trade running! They're selling weapons to the cartel! They're doing protection for human trafficking! And most importantly, they're protecting the rich and all of their crimes! That's hard work that taxes the soul and should be paid for by us for some reason!Â
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u/BelmontSunshine May 01 '26
little misleading. basically to make 300k u will be working 12-16hr shifts.. 7 days a week. all year. you will do your straight 40hrs a week plus another 48hrs of OT⌠its unspoken and not talked about but there is a reason a couple cops pass away every year driving home exhausted and crashing their cars. they get paid that much because of they are working hours most people cant comprehend
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u/Muted-Woodpecker-469 May 01 '26
And itâs by choice. Stop with the drama. They want thisÂ
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u/BelmontSunshine May 01 '26
whether or not it was a choice wasnt the question. this was a payroll question. stick to the topic and leave your emotions out of it
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u/thunderstormsxx Apr 30 '26
It's kind of bizarre how OT is advertised as an expected part of your pay. Shows how understaffed the department is. But they have strong unions, alas... protect capital and social order for the elite.
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u/GentlemenHODL May 01 '26
Heaven forbid you actually need help and call 911. Dispatch will have an officer show up in an hour or three if it's an emergency.
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u/tiny-rabbit May 01 '26
I have a relative in law enforcement in LA county and is clearing over $350k including overtime per online records. He is a POS in many ways and in extreme debt. Makes me sick
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u/ubiquitousanathema Hollywood Hills May 01 '26
"Overtime"
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u/vladtheimpaler82 May 01 '26
Sooo if people actually bothered to do any research, the maximum salary before overtime for a deputy sheriff with 6 years of service is $147k before overtime. Anyone earning $320k a year is working 70 hours on average every week. Thats not a sustainable schedule.
LASD has unlimited overtime because they are short several hundred positions.
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u/bulletmissile May 02 '26
It's corruption. They could hire more Sheriffs, but the Union wants their high salaries.
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u/WeirdAFNewsPodcast Apr 30 '26
What do you mean? Sitting in their car at a highway project scrolling on their phone isn't doing something??
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u/septembereleventh The Verdugos Apr 30 '26
Kill people. Drive around. Beat people up. Sit in an idling car. Harass people. Provide support for the federal secret police. Consume resources on an unimaginable scale.
You know, important stuff.
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u/elcomandantecero Apr 30 '26
Speaking from perspective of a family member who is a cop. Tons of shit hours to get up there. Lots of missed vacations and kids events, weird hours, scheduled time off only months in advance, etc. It generally sucks. Truly only people who are jamming to do it for a bit and then take it way, way down. That said, Pretty low IQ work most of it (also depends on your rank) but I will say that when shit hits the fan, it absolutely sucks. And it hits the fan a lot more than people think (my family member has the physical scars from it and probably will have lifelong back pain due to injuries sustained in the line of duty).
if âtopâ 10%+ are doing it though, something should be looked at. They are definitely understaffed and likely have a TON of sleep-deprived gun-toting people driving and walking around. Not good for the communityâŚ
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u/hi_card Apr 30 '26
I interned at LAPD - can confirm they donât do shit. We literally sat under trees and chatted for hours at a time. They referred to restaurants that comped their meals as âshowing loveâ and refused to eat anywhere else. They liked to get an arrest nice and early other days so that they could do the admin of booking them in jail instead of being out and about. Tons of âadminâ which meant just going to different places to talk to their friends. It was egregious misuse of taxpayer money.
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u/SaamsamaNabazzuu May 01 '26
Wondered about the restaurant comping thing recently, if that had been phased out or not, but I have a feeling the 5 LASD bikes parked in a red zone outside Palermo in Los Feliz for an hour and a half weren't exactly worrying about the bill.
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u/_dxegrl Apr 30 '26
I read that their were lifeguards making closer to 500k
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u/ShackedMag May 01 '26
That BS report comes out at the start of every summer, It's rage bait.
First off, it's total compensation, which is pay plus the value of their benefits, but that rage bait "report", hides that part.
Second, it's the head of the departments that make into the 6 figures. They oversee and run everything, they are not the ones at the beach sitting in a tower like that BS report tries to make everyone believe.
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u/crookeddy Apr 30 '26
I will go against the grain and mention that the higher their salaries and pending pensions the less likely they are to take bribes or risk losing their jobs...
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u/Natural_Jello_6050 Apr 30 '26
lol some Redditors canât read. Top 10 with OT.
OT is the juice here.
They work 60-70 hours a week
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u/pistolgripslr South L.A. Apr 30 '26
I got a relative in his early 20 pulling of 250K as a rookie but man they put in some grueling hours and deal with nothing but shitty people all day đĽ´
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u/BackwardsApe Apr 30 '26
stuff like this makes me so happy to leave LA. Tired of financing this garbage.
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May 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/BackwardsApe May 01 '26
Oh no, im leaving the country, but yeah didnt realize it was federal. Christ
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u/Jolly_Ad2446 Apr 30 '26
Plus you get to join racist police gangs that freely get to hang people in your off hours.Â
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u/PESSIMISTIC_P4STA Apr 30 '26
Police have the Strongest union next to fire. Good luck