LAPD Essentials

This IS NOT the official website of the Los Angeles Police Department. This website is only intended to help non-English speaking immigrants better understand the services provided by the LAPD.

Get In Touch with LAPD

  • Life-Threatening Emergencies Only: 9-1-1
    • [9-1-1 Use and Abuse](https://lapdonlinestrgeacc.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/lapdonlinemedia/2021/12/911-Use-and-Abuse.pdf)
  • For Terrorist Threats: 1-877-A-THREAT or 1-877-284-7328
  • Non-Emergency Police Response: 1-877-ASK-LAPD or 1-877-275-5273 (Press # 2 for Spanish)
    • Abandoned Vehicles 800-ABANDON or 800-222-6366
    • Battered Women Hotline 310-392-8381
    • Child Abuse 800-540-4000
    • Domestic Violence Hotline 800-978-3600
    • Lights And Noise 888-524-2845
    • Los Angeles Rape Battered Hotline 310-392-8381
    • Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) 800-438-6233
    • Narcotic Drug Abuse 800-252-6465
    • Narcotics Hotline 800-662-BUST (2878)
    • Operation Clean Sweep (Graffiti) 800-611-CITY (2489)
    • Rape Hotline 626-793-3385
    • Runaway Hotline 800-231-6946
    • Suicide Hotline 877-727-4747
    • Terrorist Threats 1-877-A-THREAT (284-7328)
    • 24-Hour Anonymous Tip Line 1-877-LAPD 24-7 or 1-877-527-3247
  • Email Questions & Comments: contact.lapdonline@gmail.com

Praise and Complaint

Say Something Nice About a Police Officer

If you want to say something nice about an employee of the Los Angeles Police Department, fill out this form and mail it or bring it to a police station. You can also write a letter to the Chief of Police or the commanding officer of the police station in your area. You can also tell a supervisor in person. Someone will read your comments and share them with the employee you're commending. There are forms available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

You can download the commendation form here.

Report When a Police Officer Does Something Wrong

You can file a complaint of police misconduct in person at any police facility in Los Angeles, Internal Affairs Group, the Police Commission, or the Office of the Inspector General. You can also get a form from any police facility or City Council field office. Complaints can also be filed online or by phone at (800) 339-6868. Anonymous and third-party complaints are accepted, but it's better if you provide your contact information so investigators can ask you follow-up questions if needed.

Learn More...

Crime Prevention

How to Get a Copy of a Traffic Collision Report in Los Angeles

If you were in a car accident in Los Angeles, it might be necessary to obtain a copy of the traffic collision report. This report contains important information about the accident, such as the date and time it occurred, the location, and who was involved. To get a copy of the report, you'll need to follow a few steps.

Learn More...

Don't Fall Victim to Illegal Tow Trucks

Unauthorized tow truck drivers, known as "bandit tow drivers," search the streets for accidents or broken down vehicles. They can be very persuasive or even intimidating, trying to convince you to let them tow your car, which can end up being very expensive.

Learn More...

Has your car been towen? Find your car in official police garage

Los Angeles has 18 official police garages (OPG) where you can retrieve your impounded vehicle. These garages are located throughout the city, and it's important to know which one is closest to you. To find the contact information and directions to your nearest OPG, you can use this website.

REPORT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT OCCURRING IN CALIFORNIA (SR-1) FORM

The "SR-1 FORM" is a form used by the DMV in some US regions to report motor vehicle accidents. You need to fill it out if there is significant property damage, personal injury, or death. It collects important information about the accident and helps with insurance claims and legal compliance. If you are involved in a qualifying accident, you will typically need to file this form.

Fill out the SR-1 form online.

Traffic Ticket Questions

  • Where can I get a "Fix-It" ticket signed off?
  • What should I do if I lost my traffic ticket?

    If you lost your traffic ticket, you'll need to contact the court to get the information you need to pay it. You can find the court's contact information on the Los Angeles Superior Court Traffic Violation Information website.

  • How can I fight a traffic ticket?

    If you want to fight a traffic ticket, you'll need to go to the court listed on your ticket and pay the bail amount (the cost of the ticket). After you pay, the court will give you a date to come back. On that date, you'll be able to explain your case to the judge and ask the officer questions. If the judge agrees with you, you'll get the bail money back. For more info, you can call the Los Angeles Municipal Court Traffic Information and Payment Center at 213-742-1884.

Undocumented Immigrants

Los Angeles is a welcoming city that values inclusion and equal treatment for all. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) works closely with the community to ensure everyone feels safe and protected, regardless of their immigration status.

The LAPD follows the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law. They believe that any resident, whether documented or undocumented, should feel secure and able to report crimes if they become a victim.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does the LAPD arrest individuals for or otherwise enforce federal civil immigration violations?
  2. Can an officer stop a person to determine the person's immigration status?
  3. Are there any federal immigration-related laws that make it a crime for someone who is undocumented to be in the United States?
  4. Can an LAPD officer arrest someone who has an outstanding arrest warrant for violating a federal criminal immigration offense?
  5. Can an LAPD officer make a warrantless arrest of someone who is suspected of entering the U.S. improperly in violation of 8 U.S.C. §1325 (Improper Entry)?
  6. Can an LAPD officer temporarily detain someone who was previously deported and re-enterecl the U.S. in violation of 8 U.S.C. §1326 (Illegal Re-Entry)?
  7. What is ”Speciol Order 40”?
  8. Does Special Order 40 limit an officer's ability to arrest a person suspected of committing a crime under state, local, or federal law?
  9. Does the LAPD interview arrestees to determine their immigration status?
  10. Does the LAPD ask individuols for their place of birth?
  11. Does the LAPD notify US-ICE that they have arrested someone who may be in violation of civil immigration laws?
  12. Does the LAPD nofify US-ICE if o suspect or arrestee has an immigrotion related criminal arrest warrant?
  13. Does the LAPD notify US-ICE if a suspect or arrestee does not have a warrant but there is probable cause to believe that the person may have illegally re-entered the U.S. in violation of 8 U.S.C. §1326, a felony?
  14. Does the LAPD allow US-ICE personnel to interview arrestees at LAPD jail facilities?
  15. Does the LAPD maintain records that reflect the immigration status of an arrestee, witness, or victim?
  16. What is an “Immigration Detainer Request"?
  17. Does the LAPD extend an arrestee's time in jail based solely on an Immigration Detainer Request?
  18. Will the LAPD extend an arrestee's time in custody if an Immigration Detainer Request is accompanied by a Form I-200 "Warrant for Arrest of Alien" or Form I-205 "Warrant of Removal/Deportation"?
  19. How does DHS and US-ICE know that LAPD has someone in custody if LAPD does not notify them?
  20. Does the LAPD transfer arrestees to US-ICE personnel for civil immigrotion violotions?
  21. What is the “287(g)” Program?
  22. Does the LAPD assist US-ICE with civil immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles?
  23. Does the LAPD work with US-ICE on criminal investigations unrelated to immigration?
  24. Does the LAPD have any "Sanctuary City" policies?
  25. What is Executive Directive No. 20?
  26. What is the California Volues Act (SB 54)?
  27. Haga clic aquí para ver la versión en español de las preguntas frecuentes.

Know Your Right. Marsy's Law In Simple English

"Marsy's Law" is a California law that was passed in 2008 to protect and expand the legal rights of victims of crime. It includes 17 rights for victims in the judicial process, such as the right to notification of court proceedings and restitution.

Learn More...

Immigrant Crime Victims

The LAPD aims to foster trust and cooperation with immigrant communities rather than causing fear through immigration enforcement actions.

Fireworks Complaints

The Los Angeles Police Department only accepts complaints about fireworks that occur within the city of Los Angeles. If you have a complaint about fireworks in another area, you need to report it directly to the law enforcement agency responsible for that location. The LAPD will not send your complaint to other agencies.

Currently, the online reporting of fireworks is not available. If you are trying to create a Fireworks complaint, please contact LAPD at 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273).

To make complaints, please click here.

Harassment, Discrimination or Retaliation Complaints

The City of Los Angeles has created MyVoiceLA for current and past City employees, contract workers, interns, volunteers, commissioners, elected and appointed officials, and those applying for City jobs. This platform provides information on your rights and obligations regarding discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. If you think you've experienced any of these, you can file a complaint through MyVoiceLA.

Cannabis Complaints

You can use this form to file a complaint regarding various cannabis-related issues. This includes reporting unlicensed or illegal commercial cannabis businesses operating in either commercial or residential areas.

Sites of Interest

Below are websites linked to the City of Los Angeles, the LAPD, or agencies focused on preventing crime.

https://www.lapdonline.org/inside-the-lapd/sites-of-interest/

Traffic Safety Resources

https://www.lapdonline.org/office-of-the-chief-of-police/office-of-special-operations/transit-services-bureau/traffic-group/traffic-safety-resources/

Hate Crimes

https://www.lapdonline.org/office-of-the-chief-of-police/office-of-special-operations/detective-bureau/detective-support-and-vice-division/hate-crimes/

Domestic Violence

https://www.lapdonline.org/domestic-violence/

Traffic Info

https://www.lapdonline.org/office-of-the-chief-of-police/office-of-special-operations/transit-services-bureau/traffic-group/

Helping Sexually Exploited Individuals

The Exploitation & Investigative Section oversees the investigation and enforcement of state and federal laws pertaining to sexual exploitation. The primary focus is on safeguarding children from sexual crimes and enhancing law enforcement capabilities through training and support initiatives. The core objective is to locate and rescue individuals, particularly minors, entangled in prostitution. Additionally, efforts extend to probing prostitution offenses associated with organized crime, apprehending human traffickers, and collaborating with various agencies to combat trafficking. Furthermore, online investigations are conducted to apprehend perpetrators exploiting young people, while also providing assistance to local vice units in their operational endeavors.

https://www.lapdonline.org/office-of-the-chief-of-police/office-of-special-operations/detective-bureau/detective-support-and-vice-division/human-trafficking/

Missing Persons

The Missing Persons Unit looks into approximately 3,200 reports of missing adults each year, and typically, about 70% of these cases are resolved within 48 to 72 hours. It's important to note that there's no required waiting period by federal law to report a missing person. Also, not everyone who goes missing is a victim of a crime—some choose to disappear voluntarily due to reasons like mental health problems or problems in relationships. Even though voluntarily disappearing isn't a crime, investigations carry on if there are suspicions of foul play.

https://www.lapdonline.org/office-of-the-chief-of-police/office-of-special-operations/detective-bureau/detective-support-and-vice-division/human-trafficking/ https://www.lapdonline.org/faqs-missing-persons/