| This essay seeks to place the historical development of the Los Angeles Police Department within the context of broader political, demographic, social, and spatial development patterns with the city. The organizing theme is that the organizational development of the LAPD has been significantly effected over time by the prevailing political culture, racial and ethnic diversity, rapid population growth, and geographic expansion. Viewed in this way the organizational development and culture of the LAPD can be seen not as an "aberration", as it is often depicted in popular and media accounts but rather the result of conscious and reflexive political and organizational decisions. |
Updated 05/20/2006