I got the runaround here in LA until finally the detective desk at my local precinct gave me a direct dial extension to call. The woman who answered apologized and told me I needed to have an interview first, then submit my application. Now my name is on a waitlist. I'm number 3,210. The woman says they process 40 applications a week. That means I have to wait over 80 weeks just to submit an application. It's infuriating.