When I was down at Metro HR to take an assessment for a different job about a month ago, I heard an HR Rep explaining to a gentleman that came into the office that they currently have no plans for laterals to move onto the department without going through the same process as new-hires essentially. She was telling him that the benefits of being an officer on another department already help in being considered, but he would still have to pursue it and do everything others had to do. Hope that helps?