The Los Angeles Police Department was established in 1869. The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to serving the community while protecting the rights of all persons. Consistent with this commitment, the Department's Vision, Mission and Core Values, in concert with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the Department's Management Principles, reflect the guiding philosophy of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Los Angeles Police Department is one of the largest and most innovative law enforcement agencies in the world. It is responsible for providing police service to an area encompassing 467 square miles and 18 community areas, representing approximately 3.8 million residents as of 2002. The Board of Police Commissioners oversees all operations of the LAPD. It is the vision of the Los Angeles Police Department to, as closely as possible, achieve a City free from crime and public disorder.

It is the mission of the Los Angeles Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working with the diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.

The Los Angeles Police Department is the lead law enforcement agency of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Human Trafficking (LAMTF-HT). The Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division is the division tasked with investigating all incidents of human trafficking occurring in the City of Los Angeles. Also, Robbery-Homicide Division is responsible for administering the Department of Justice grant and the Commanding Officer of Robbery-Homicide Division is the Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Human Trafficking.

For more information regarding the Los Angeles Police Department and their programs, please visit www.lapdonline.org.