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Established a Board of Commissioners
The first Board of Police Commissioners was established by the City Council in 1870 by the appointment of three of its members. The first Chief of Police was former councilor Jacob F. Gherkins, who was appointed six years later. -
More Deputys
After a year, Chief Bratton understood the issue that police chiefs have had since 1870. He then started working with Mayor Villaraigosa to increase the number of sworn deployment officers to 10,000. -
Woman Detective
Lucy Gray was appointed the first Police Matron. Gray, who was small in weight was surprisingly effective in changing the behavior of female offenders and preventing youth delinquency. She was so committed that she deliberately set up residence within the city jail, where her nursing expertise was regularly needed. Her title as a detective is also listed in departmental records. -
Finger Printing System and Motor Protral
The City was now dealing with the issue of auto theft, which had just started. The Department's first motor patrol was created in 1913 as a result of a fleet of touring vehicles that had been purchased. The establishment of the Identification and fingerprinting system occurred at this time. -
Recruitment Strategies
A police force that was primarily white and unrepresentative of the diverse Los Angeles population was created by such recruitment tactics and selection procedures. Residents felt unrepresented in the department as a result. -
Significant Changes
By 1990, only 63% of the department's officers were white, while 13% of them were black and 20% were Latino. Despite making progress, the figures were still hardly representative of the city, which was made up of 37% white residents, 13% black residents, 40% Latino residents, and 9% Asian Americans. -
Rodney King
Minor improvements in the department's diversity did not stop the beating of Rodney King or the 1992 Los Angeles riot that followed the officers' conviction. -
Chief Bratton
The LAPD once more led American law enforcement thanks to new organizational adjustments and technical advancements. Chief Bratton was the ideal Chief at the ideal time for the people of Los Angeles. Crime rates are dropping year after year, making LA a very safe large community.