Los Angeles School Police Department
Encyclopedia
The Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) is a law enforcement agency
in Los Angeles
, California
, whose duties are to provide police services to the Los Angeles Unified School District
and to enforce state and city laws. LASPD Officers assist staff with disturbances and potential criminal activity on the campuses on a daily basis.
.
The LASPD is the 5th largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County and the largest school police
department in the United States
with 7 police divisions deploying 340 police officers and 147 school safety officers.
All police officers must complete an intensive probationary period after graduation from the police academy. Prior to selection to any specialized unit, there may also be an additional 3-5 year field assignment prerequisite.
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, whose duties are to provide police services to the Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
and to enforce state and city laws. LASPD Officers assist staff with disturbances and potential criminal activity on the campuses on a daily basis.
History
The Los Angeles School Police Department was established in August 1948 to provide police services to the Los Angeles Unified School DistrictLos Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
.
The LASPD is the 5th largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County and the largest school police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
department in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with 7 police divisions deploying 340 police officers and 147 school safety officers.
Responsibility
24 hours a day, the LASPD is responsible for providing police services to:- A jurisdiction covering 710 square miles (1,838.9 km²)
- Approximately 618,000 students
- Approximately 72,000 teachers, administrators and additional school staff
- Approximately 1,100 schools, centers, and administrative offices
Ranks
The LASPD deploys sworn personnel in a variety of ranks:| Title | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Chief of Police |  |
| Deputy Chief |  |
| Lieutenant |  |
| Sergeant |  |
| Detective |  |
| Senior Police Officer |  |
| Police Officer | |
Assignments
Assignments within the Police Department include:- Campus PoliceCampus policeCampus Police or University police in the United States and Canada are often sworn police officers employed by a public school district, college or university to protect the campus and surrounding areas and the people who live on, work on and visit it....
Officer - Patrol Officer
- Field Training OfficerField Training OfficerA Field Training Officer is an experienced or senior member of an organization who is responsible for the training and evaluation of a junior or probationary level member...
- Criminal Investigation
- CaninePolice dogA police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
- Special Investigation
- Background Investigation
- Training and Support Services
- Traffic EnforcementHighway patrolA highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
- Technology
- Police Activities League (P.A.L.) / Police Explorers
- Special Response TeamSWATA SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
(S.R.T.) - School Safety Officer (non-sworn securitySecurity guardA security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
position) - Police Dispatcher (civilian position)
- Specialist Reserve Officer (civilian position)
- Records, payroll, subpoena and other clerical support staff (civilian position)
All police officers must complete an intensive probationary period after graduation from the police academy. Prior to selection to any specialized unit, there may also be an additional 3-5 year field assignment prerequisite.