Los Santos Police Department

Los Santos Police Department
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Type	Law Enforcement
Jurisdiction	City of Los Santos
Headquarters	Police Administration Building, Los Santos
Employees	3,500
Chief / Director	Chief Dwayne Burke
Parent Agency	San Andreas Department of Public Safety
Established	1853
Website

The Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) is the primary law enforcement agency serving the City of Los Santos. It is responsible for public safety, crime prevention, and maintaining order throughout the city. The department operates multiple precincts and specialized units, including traffic, SWAT, investigative divisions, and the K-9 Platoon.

History

The Los Santos Police Department was founded in 1853 during the San Andreas Gold Rush as a voluntary militia. Due to the city’s early lawlessness, the militia, known as the San Andreas Rangers, merged with the Los Santos City Guards in 1869 to form the first paid police force. The next twenty years were turbulent, with fifteen Police Chiefs serving until Chief William C. Rockford implemented reforms, transforming the department into a cohesive law enforcement agency.

During the 20th century, the department expanded, with the first female officer sworn in 1911. Both World Wars reduced manpower as officers served in the military. Post-war corruption led to decades of anti-corruption efforts, highlighted by the Bloody Easter scandal in 1952, which brought issues of police brutality into public discourse.

LSPD Rifle Team, 1890

Downtown Vinewood Shootout (1997)

On February 28, 1997, the LSPD responded to a bank robbery at the Pacific Standard Public Deposit Bank on Vinewood Boulevard. Suspects Garry Phelps Jr. and Emilio Materasu engaged officers with high-caliber automatic weapons, forcing a tactical response. SWAT intervention was required after multiple officers were wounded. Both suspects were neutralized, and the incident led to the introduction of the Urban Patrol Rifle (AR-15) and .45 caliber semi-automatic pistols for regular officers.

C.R.A.S.H. and the Mission Row Scandal

Originally formed in the 1970s as TRASH (Total Resources Against Street Hoodlums) and later renamed CRASH (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums), this specialized anti-gang unit was disbanded in 2000 following corruption investigations. Officer Luca Morales’ testimony exposed systemic misconduct, including falsified reports, planted evidence, and use-of-force violations, resulting in the creation of the Gangs & Narcotics Division with stricter entry requirements.

Leadership

• Chief of Police: Dwayne Burke
• Assistant Chief: Michelle Li
• Assistant Chief: Timothy Gallagher
• Deputy Chief: Michael Espinoza

Organizational Structure

The department operates multiple divisions and specialized units:

• Metropolitan Division (SWAT, Dignitary Protection, Bomb Squad, Dive Unit, K-9 Platoon)
• Mission Row Division (Patrol, Traffic, Detective Services, Gang Impact Team, Narcotics Enforcement)
• Other precincts and bureaus across Los Santos

Facilities

Police Administration Building (PAB)

The PAB hosts administrative offices, the Regional Crime Laboratory, Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center, evidence storage, and a public auditorium. Amenities include a Bean Machine café, 24/7 store, civic plaza, memorial wall, and garden. The Air Support Division is also stationed here.

Mission Row Station (MRS)

The Mission Row Station supports Patrol, Traffic, Detective Services, Gang Impact Team, and Narcotics Enforcement operations.

Metropolitan Division Facility – "114"

Facility 114 is the hub for tactical and high-risk operations, including SWAT, H-Platoon (Dignitary Protection), Dive Unit, Bomb Squad, and K-9 Platoon.

See also

• Los Santos Fire Department