LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is the municipal police force for the city of Los Angeles, California. It is responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and providing emergency response across the city’s more than 470 square miles. The department serves a diverse population of about four million residents and oversees policing in both urban neighborhoods and commercial districts.

Founded in 1869, the LAPD is one of the oldest municipal police departments in the United States. In recent decades, it has undergone reforms following high-profile incidents and has been subject to federal oversight related to use of force and accountability. Civilian oversight is provided by the five-member Los Angeles Police Commission, and the Police Chief is appointed by the mayor with confirmation by the city council.

Organization and operations: The department is led by the Police Chief and organized into bureaus and divisions, including Patrol, Detectives, and Support Services, with specialized units such as SWAT, K‑9, Air Support, and Harbor Division. It operates multiple area commands to cover the city’s neighborhoods.

Programs and policies: The LAPD emphasizes community policing, training in de-escalation and bias-free policing, and the use of body-worn cameras. It provides emergency response, traffic enforcement, and crime-prevention programs, and maintains crime analysis and records systems to guide operations.

Throughout its history, the LAPD has played a central role in shaping policing in a large urban American city, balancing public safety needs with calls for accountability and reform.