LAPD: New pitch a success

<p>Los Angeles Police Department officials said their efforts to recruit new officers by pitching police work as a recession-proof career is bearing fruit, with a huge jump in new applicants.</p><p>Recruiting staff said 870 candidates took the department's written test last month, up from 401 people in December 2007.</p><p>The increase follows a wave of ads in newspapers and job-search sites that highlight the security of a job with the police.</p><p>One ad reads: "Never have to face a layoff again!"</p><p>Police Commander Jim Cansler said the department has been hiring about 60 officers a month.</p>