What is the difference between lateral police officers and regular police officers?

The term "lateral" in reference to police officers usually has to do with applicants for police officer positions. If a person who is already a police officer in one agency wants to work for another agency, he may be allowed to come into the second agency as a "lateral" candidate. This means he may not have to attend another police academy (or may be able to complete an abbreviated course) and may start at a pay step above that of an entry-level officer. Lateral-entry positions save the hiring agency money, as they don't have to pay a candidate while they attend the academy, and they get an officer who already has experience. It's usually easier to "lateral" into an agency in the same state where you are already certified, since the same training requirements usually extend across the state. Some states and agencies will accept candidates from other states if they can show their training is equal to or exceeds the training in the hiring state.