Los Santos Police Department

About the Los Santos Police Department

The Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) is one of two primary law enforcement factions on the server of Eclipse Roleplay, primarily based in and focused on policing within the City. Originally, on the opening of the server, the Los Santos Police Department was the primary and only law enforcement faction on the server, but due to an increase in player numbers and in an effort to breathe life into the Sandy Shores and Paleto Bay areas, the Los Santos County Sheriff's Department was created to work in tandem with the Police Department.

Established in 2017, the Los Santos Police Department faction has seen continuous changes, improvements, and internal faction development to adapt to the development of the server, its community, and the general environment thereof.

The fundamentals of the Los Santos Police Department faction are to ensure that strict policies, procedures, and regulations are established and put in place, both on an in-character and out-of-character level, as well as to adapt these policies to the ever-changing server environment.

The motto of the faction in-character is "To Protect and to Serve".

The current Chief of Police and faction leader for the Los Santos Police Department is Elena Flores (Pazz).

In-Character History

The early history of the Los Santos Police Department, for the purposes of roleplay, is founded in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department over the last 170 years.

Early History

During the San Andreas Gold Rush, the City of Los Santos was known for its violence, gambling, "vice", and its lack of effective civil law enforcement. Los Santos was reputed to have the highest murder rate in the United States, with a San Andreas militia assisting the existing County Sheriff in guarding and enforcing the law. It was not until 1869 that the first paid police force was created and established; this police force is known today as the Los Santos Police Department.

Six officers were hired to serve under City Marshal Jackson White, who was ultimately shot by one of his deputies in 1870 and was succeeded by John F. Smith, who had been appointed by the newly created Board of Police Commissioners. Smith's tenure as the City Marshal, however, was short-lived, as he was soon replaced by William Harris, a saloon owner. Between the years 1879 and 1889, the force had seen fifteen different police chiefs.

Until 1916, when police training was introduced, the Los Santos Police Department did not provide its officers with official training. The police training established in 1916 has served as the foundation of the training offered in current times and is one of the core reasons behind the Los Santos Police Department being one of the largest world-class law enforcement agencies today.

In many ways, the Los Santos Police Department paved the way for law enforcement agencies across the country by taking steps necessary for the future that other agencies had been unwilling to do, such as being the first department to promote the first sworn female police officer with full powers within the United States in 1910.

Severe corruption issues within the LSPD and the rest of the city government lasted until the 1940s. In 1933, the reserve unit was formed and tasked with crime suppression, this unit would later evolve into the Metropolitan Division. In 1946, under the direction of the then-Chief of Police, a top-secret unit dubbed the "Gangster Squad" was formed to combat the American Mob and Los Santos crime family.

Faction Theme and Portrayal

The Los Santos Police Department faction is based on the Los Angeles Police Department and strives to provide the community with realistic law enforcement roleplay and a realistic portrayal of a world-class agency within the United States. The LSPD, as a faction, finds it important to portray the Los Angeles Police Department, as the State of San Andreas and the City of Los Santos within the game are based on California and Los Angeles respectively.

While it aims to accurately portray the Los Angeles Police Department in appearance, structure, and so forth, it is important to note that changes have been made to ensure that the vision fits into the environment of the server, meaning that certain aspects of the faction, for example, a division name or a type of vehicle used, may not be entirely accurate and representative of the real-life counterpart of the faction, but has instead been introduced to ensure a balance in the server or has been adjusted to cater to the needs of the server.

Organization

The faction consists of many different divisions, divided under different organizational Offices and Bureaus, which provide services and roleplay to the community, either in-game or administratively over the forums.

Office of the Chief of Police

The Office of the Chief of Police is overseen by the Chief of Police, consists of the Chief of Police, Adjutant to the Chief of Police, and the Assistant Chiefs of the faction, and has the responsibility of assisting the Chief of Police in the administration of the faction (OOC) and administration of the Department (IC).

The Office of the Chief of Police consists of the Risk Management and Policy Development Division (RMPD), the Supervisor Training Program (STP), and the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).

Professional Standards Bureau

The Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) of the Los Santos Police Department provides supervision and leadership to all of the internal investigations of the Department and reports directly to the Chief of Police.

Internal Affairs Division

The Internal Affairs Division acts as the investigative arm of the Chief of Police with respect to employee misconduct. Internal Affairs Division is responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct of Department employees that are either administrative in nature, or have potential criminal elements associated with the complaints. The Internal Affairs Division is comprised of the Complaint Investigation Section, an investigative section with assigned investigators responsible for investigating complaints, and the Board of Rights, which handles disciplinary action disputes.

Legal Affairs Division

The Legal Affairs Division has an overall mission with two objectives, which are to work closely with the Office of the Attorney General and the San Andreas Judicial Branch to bring successful outcomes in the prosecution and defense of criminal charges, and to ensure the Department complies with all relevant legal requests and liaises with the Office of the Attorney General and efficiently relays information to the prosecution and the courts.

Office of Operations

The majority of the LSPD's officers are assigned to the Office of Operations, headed by Assistant Chief Scott Dunbar, the office comprises three bureaus.

General Operations Bureau

Mission Row Area

The Mission Row Patrol Division, while not restricted to patrolling these areas, has a three-story police station located on Sinner Street, covering the districts of South Los Santos, East Los Santos, Downtown Los Santos, Vinewood and partially covering Vinewood Hills which in turn covers the areas and neighborhoods; Terminal • Elysian Island • Banning • Maze Bank Arena • Cypress Flats • Murrieta Heights • El Burro Heights • Palamino Highlands • Rancho • Davis • Chamberlain Hills • Strawberry • La Mesa • Mission Row • Legion Square • Pillbox Hill • Textile City • Downtown • Tataviam Mountains • Mirror Park • East Vinewood • Downtown Vinewood • Alta • Hawick • West Vinewood • Vinewood Hills.

Rockford Hills Area

The Rockford Hills Patrol Division, while not restricted to patrolling these areas, has a police station located on Eastbourne Way covering the districts of Rockford Hills, Little Seoul, Del Perro, Vespucci, La Puerta, and Pacific Bluffs which in turn covers the areas and neighborhoods; Little Seoul • Richards Majestic • Morningwood • Rockford Hills • Burton • Richman • Richman Glen • La Puerta • Vespucci • Vespucci Beach • Vespucci Canals • Del Perro • Del Perro Beach • Pacific Bluffs • Banham Canyon • Banham Canyon Drive.

Detective Bureau

Major Crimes Division

The Major Crimes Division consists of three units, the Robbery-Homicide Unit, the Vice Unit, and the Detective Support Unit. The Major Crimes Division is responsible for the investigation of all unsolved and reported crimes within the state of San Andreas, where the focus between units is divided based on the nature of crimes respectively, with Robbery-Homicide taking point on cases involving but not limited to robberies and murders, and Vice taking point on cases involving but not limited to prostitution and firearms trafficking.

Gang and Narcotics Division

The Gang and Narcotics Division is a specialized division within the Department and is responsible for disrupting, suppressing, and apprehending violent street gangs and the means by which they support their lifestyle within the state of San Andreas by targeting their manufacturing and sales operations concerning narcotics and other contraband. The Gang and Narcotics Division houses the Major Enforcement Section, which is the primary driving force behind the large-scale countermeasures and street-level enforcement against gangs and gang violence by gang detectives.

Special Operations Bureau

Metropolitan Division

The Metropolitan Division is a specialized division within the Department responsible for all high-stress and high-risk law enforcement situations and operations within the state of San Andreas. The Metropolitan Division consists of three platoons. M Platoon is responsible for the administration and training processes of the Metropolitan Division. D Platoon functions as the Special Weapons and Tactics team of the Los Santos Police Department. K9 Platoon is a field platoon of the Metropolitan Division intended to support field and detective operations through the use of police dogs.

Air Support Division

The mission of the Air Support Division is providing air support to enhance officer and public safety achieved by providing rapid response, tactical insight, and airborne assessments of incidents such as pursuits and search and rescue operations safely and professionally. To accomplish this mission, the Air Support Division is responsible for the recruitment and training of pilots specialized in the operation of rotary-wing aircraft and fixed-wing aircraft. The Air Support Division currently consists of two sections, Air Support to Regular Operations (ASTRO) and the Special Flights Section (SFS).

Traffic Enforcement Division

The Traffic Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing traffic laws throughout the city of Los Santos with a specialized method of policing, including but not limited to the establishment of checkpoints. In addition to enforcement of traffic laws, the Traffic Enforcement Division also educates the community, does outreach work, and investigates traffic collisions and traffic-related crimes.

Office of Support Services

The Office of Support Services, headed by Assistant Chief Dezzy Bala, is responsible for the majority of administrative duties of the Department and comprises two bureaus.

Administrative Services Bureau

Firearms Licensing Division

The Firearms Licensing Division is responsible for the distribution of firearms licenses to civilians within the state of San Andreas and overseeing the process used to accomplish this. The Firearms Licensing Division is also responsible for other matters related to firearms licensing, such as the processing of license change requests and lost or stolen firearm reports.

Media Relations Division

The Media Relations Division fosters cooperation and mutual respect between the Department and the news media and is responsible for maintaining a trusting relationship between the Los Santos Police Department and members of the public and enhancing the reputation of the Department. The Media Relations Division aims to accomplish this by using the media as a valuable resource to keep the public informed as to the activities of the Department, providing transparency and promoting good press for the Department through effective management of communication and interactions with the public. The Media Relations Division consists of the Media Relations Section, the Public Information Section, and the Community Affairs Section.

Recruitment and Employment Division

The Recruitment and Employment Division is responsible for recruiting potential candidates to the Department by facilitating a recruitment process consisting of an entry application and department interview, reviewing entry applications, conducting oral interviews, providing assistance and guidance to prospective applicants, and mentoring and guiding them through the selection processes. Recruitment and Employment Division Command shall ensure recruitment and its processes are up to par with the Department and City standards.

Police Training Bureau

Training Division

The Training Division is designed and responsible for facilitating different training programs and educational courses for officers to partake in beyond that provided in the Police Academy and the Field Training Program. The purpose of programs and courses with the Training Division is to train and prepare personnel of the Department to professionally solve both common and uncommon incidents.

Field Training Division

The Field Training Division houses the Field Training Program of the Los Santos Police Department, which is the first step for all officers inducted into the Department after they graduate from the police academy. The Field Training Division is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the Field Training Program, as well as providing the Field Training Officers who are responsible for the training of Cadets.

Basic Training Division

The Basic Training Division is responsible for the education and training of prospective officers through the Los Santos Police Academy, designed to serve as a training school that prepares students for their careers with the Department. Basic Training Division Command shall ensure the training and education material and processes of which the Los Santos Police Academy consists are up to par with Department and City standards.

Ranking Structure

Staff Officers ("High Command")

Rank	Insignia	Note(s)
Chief of Police		The Chief of Police is the highest-ranking officer of the Los Santos Police Department and is appointed by the Board of Governors. As the General Manager of the Los Santos Police Department, the Chief of Police holds executive power. In this capacity, the Chief of Police is responsible for the planning, directing, efficient administration, and operation of the Los Santos Police Department. The Chief of Police is the faction leader of the Los Santos Police Department.
Assistant Chief		Assistant Chiefs are executives to the Chief of Police. Based on their assignment, they are responsible for taking on the role of Chief of Staff or directing the activities of one of the organizational Offices within the Los Santos Police Department. The First Assistant Chief, Chief of Staff, is the second-highest-ranking officer within the Department and holds executive power below the Chief of Police, and is responsible for performing and coordinating special administrative audits and assisting, reviewing personnel changes, advising, and submitting recommendations to the Chief of Police, as well as being responsible for reviewing the operations of Command Staff and Supervisors. The First Assistant Chief reports directly to the Chief of Police, is responsible for managing the absence of the Chief of Police with other Assistant Chiefs, and is appointed by the Chief of Police. Assistant Chiefs are responsible for directing the activity within their respective organizational Office and are further responsible for keeping the Chief of Police informed of all operational activities, either directly or through the First Assistant Chief. Assistant Chiefs report to the First Assistant Chief and Chief of Police. They are appointed by the Chief of Police.
Deputy Chief		Deputy Chiefs are appointed by the Chief of Police to direct the activities of their assigned Bureau within the Department and hold executive power therein. Deputy Chiefs are responsible for the staffing and management of all operations within their assigned Bureau. They report to their Office Director, the Chief of Staff, or directly to the Chief of Police.

Command Officers ("Command")

Rank	Note(s)
Commander	Police Commanders are responsible for overseeing their assigned area and its operations, the efficient administration and development thereof, and ensuring compliance with Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards by personnel under their supervision. Police Commanders are appointed by Staff Officers based on necessity, merit, exceptional performance, or vacancy; excluding Bureau Commanding Officers, only one Commander can serve per Bureau, and not every Bureau may have a Commander serving within. Police Commanders hold seniority as Command Officers.
Captain I-III	Police Captains are responsible for overseeing their assigned division and its operations, the efficient administration and development thereof, and ensuring compliance with Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards by personnel under their supervision. Police Captains are appointed by Staff Officers. Police Captain II and III operate much like Police Captain I and are pay grade advancements.

Field Staff (Supervisors & Patrol Personnel)

Rank	Note(s)
Lieutenant I-II	Police Lieutenants are senior supervisors in the Department and are typically assigned to oversee a unit or section within a division. Police Lieutenants are responsible for overseeing their assigned unit and its operations, the efficient administration and development thereof, and ensuring compliance with Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards by personnel under their supervision. Police Lieutenants hold seniority as a Police Supervisor.
Detective III	Police Detective III is the next step up from Police Detective II. Much like Police Detective II, the position is a supervisory position within both the department and the Detective Bureau. Police Detective III's, on top of being expected to involve themselves in the training of those enrolled in the Detective Training Program, are also expected to conduct the evaluations of those aiming to become a Detective. Police Detective III's hold equal authority to a Police Sergeant II and act as Supervisors over their respective division's personnel with additional responsibilities within the Detective Bureau.
Sergeant II	Police Sergeant II's operate much like a Police Sergeant I and is a pay grade advancement. Police Sergeant II's are responsible for overseeing and providing guidance for patrol officers under their assigned watch, directing and supervising the activities of Department personnel in field activities, and ensuring compliance with Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards by personnel under their supervision. Police Sergeant II's hold equal authority to Police Detective III's.
Detective II	Police Detective II is the next step up from the position of Police Detective I following the successful completion of the Supervisor Training Program. It is a supervisory position within both the department and the Detective Bureau. Police Detective II's are expected to involve themselves in the training of those enrolled in the Detective Training Program. Police Detective II's hold equal authority to a Police Sergeant I and act as Supervisors over their respective personnel with additional responsibilities within the Detective Bureau.
Sergeant I	Police Sergeant I's are responsible for overseeing and providing guidance for patrol officers under their assigned watch, directing and supervising the activities of Department personnel in field activities, and ensuring compliance with Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards by personnel under their supervision. Police Sergeant I's, in a basic capacity, are primarily field supervisors, but may also function in specialized assignments, and are typically assigned after the completion of the Supervisor Training Program. Police Sergeant I's hold equal authority to Police Detective IIs.
Detective I	After completion of the Detective Training Program, Police Officers III's are promoted to Police Detective I (Non-Supervisor). A Police Detective I is assigned to one of the specialized divisions within the Detective Bureau and is responsible for responding to the scenes of crimes, conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations, preparing the required investigative reports and apprehending suspects. Police Detective I (Non-Supervisor)'s have equal authority to a Police Officer III+1 with additional responsibilities. Similar to Police Officer III+1's, Police Detective I's can also be a Supervisor-in-Training. Police Detective I (Supervisor-in-Training)'s are Detectives who seek to become a Supervisor within the Los Santos Police Department. They go through the Supervisor Training Program and share an authority equivalent to Police Officer III+1 (Supervisor-in-Training)'s.
Police Officer III+1	Police Officer III+1 in a non-supervisory capacity operates much like a Police Officer III and is a pay grade advancement with seniority over Police Officer III's based on divisional seniority, efforts, and merit. A Police Officer III+1 that has progressed through a division will be downgraded upon their departure from the division through which they have attained the rank of Police Officer III+1. Police Officer III+1 in a supervisory capacity is a grade held by officers enrolled in the Supervisor Training Program. Upon completion of the Supervisor Training Program, they advance to Police Sergeant I.
Police Officer III	Seasoned Police Officers ("senior officers") within the Los Santos Police Department advance to Police Officer III. They often hold a senior position within a division and are field training officers. Police Officer IIIs can choose between two paths, either becoming a Police Sergeant or a Police Detective.
Police Officer II	After a few months of experience as a Police Officer I, officers advance to Police Officer II. This position allows officers to be apart of the numerous divisions within the Los Santos Police Department and also allows officers to become a Field Training Officer. Examples of different division titles: Academy Instructor; Helicopter Pilot; SWAT Officer; Traffic Officer; Firearms Officer; Detective Support Officer; Media Liaison; Gang Officer.
Police Officer I	Police Officer I is the entry-level classification given to all Police Officers of the Los Santos Police Department upon completion of the Field Training Program. Police Officer I's are assigned to a Patrol Division within the City of Los Santos where they must utilize all the knowledge and tactics learned from the Academy and Field Training Program and performs basic duties such as: responding to the scene of a crime or an accident; interviewing suspects and witnesses; writing crime reports; responding to radio calls; monitoring any suspicious activity of ongoing crimes; issuing citations; making arrests, preparing reports. A Police Officer I is still considered a probationary officer and is often placed under the supervision of a higher-ranking officer.
Police Cadet	Police Cadet is a position held by graduates of the Police Academy. Following their graduation, Police Cadets undergo a three-week probationary period, going through the Field Training Program. A Cadet will advance to Police Officer I upon successful completion of the Field Training Program and their probationary period.