Laid off from work and applying to a dept

[jetblue]

I was very recently laid off from my job (not fired) as a defense contractor due to a reduction in force and am applying to a police dept. Is it a negative to not have a job when you are applying?

[just joe]

Nothing you can do about being laid off.

[PhilipCal]

Unfortunately, a pretty common experience in today's economy. As has been noted, there's a major difference between being laid off and being fired. My only suggestion is, and you're probably already doing this, be actively looking for work at the time you apply. Best of luck to you.

[jetblue]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, right now my full-time job is finding one as it takes some time to go through the application process. My supervisor stated that he would give me a positive reference, so it wasn't for poor performance, misconduct, etc.
I was just wondering if it would be frowned upon to apply when you are not actually working somewhere, but it wasn't by choice.