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Los Angeles Police Department

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Los Angeles, California.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Los Angeles, California. It is one of the largest municipal police departments in the United States, with responsibilities that include citywide policing and some transit policing in Los Angeles. The department is headquartered in the Civic Center district of downtown Los Angeles.

History

The LAPD was formed in 1869 and has grown into one of the largest municipal police forces in the United States. Its history includes major incidents and reforms that have shaped policing in Los Angeles.

Jurisdiction and operations

The department patrols the city of Los Angeles and, according to LAist, has also patrolled Metro trains and buses since 2017. It is organized into multiple bureaus and divisions to cover the city.

Leadership and oversight

The chief of police is selected by the mayor and reports to the Police Commission, which provides civilian oversight. LAist describes the commission as a major oversight body with an inspector general who can investigate department practices.

Size and organization

Sources describe the LAPD as the third-largest municipal police department in the United States, behind New York City and Chicago. Reported staffing figures in the source set vary slightly by year, but consistently place the department at roughly 9,000 sworn officers and 3,000 civilian employees.

Key facts

  • The LAPD serves the City of Los Angeles rather than the broader county.
  • It is one of the largest municipal police departments in the United States.
  • The department is headquartered at 100 West 1st Street in downtown Los Angeles.
  • The LAPD has roughly 8,800 sworn officers and about 3,000 civilian employees.
  • The department began patrolling Metro subway and bus lines in 2017.
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Canadian context

No direct Canadian connection is established in the provided sources; the LAPD is a U.S. municipal police department in Los Angeles.

Frequently asked questions

What does LAPD stand for?
LAPD stands for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Where is the LAPD headquartered?
Its headquarters is at 100 West 1st Street in the Civic Center district of Los Angeles.
When was the LAPD founded?
The LAPD was formed in 1869.
How large is the LAPD?
It is commonly described as the third-largest municipal police department in the United States, with about 8,800 sworn officers and about 3,000 civilian employees.
What area does the LAPD cover?
It is responsible for policing the City of Los Angeles.
What is the LAPD mission statement?
Its mission is to safeguard lives and property, reduce crime and fear of crime, and enhance public safety while working with diverse communities.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Police_Department
    Supports: Primary descriptive facts: official name, abbreviation, staffing, size, headquarters
  2. LAist — https://laist.com/news/criminal-justice/la-explained-the-police
    Supports: Jurisdiction, organizational structure, leadership, oversight, Metro policing
  3. Los Angeles Almanac — http://www.laalmanac.com/crime/cr70.php
    Supports: Headquarters location and general department identification
  4. Support LAPD — https://supportlapd.org/about-lapd/
    Supports: Mission statement
  5. Los Angeles Police Department — https://www.lapdonline.org/mission-statement/
    Supports: Mission statement
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Los_Angeles_Police_Department
    Supports: Founded in 1869 and historical overview