As one of few police forces in the nation dedicated exclusively to 24-hour port activities, the Los Angeles Port Police are responsible for patrol and surveillance of the Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Harbor Area communities. As California peace officers, the Port Police enforce federal, state and local public safety statutes as well as environmental and maritime safety regulations. Highly regarded among specialized law enforcement agencies, the primary goal of the Port Police is to maintain the free flow of commerce and produce a safe, secure environment that promotes uninterrupted Port operations.
Port Police Patrol
Los Angeles Port Police officers are responsible for enforcing all the laws and ordinances within the jurisdiction of the Port of Los Angeles, including its commercial operations, docks and marinas, recreational, residential and neighboring areas. Los Angeles Port Police Officers may also be involved with other programs such as participation in bicycle patrol, K-9, dive operations, sea marshal operations, detectives, or involvement in narcotics, cargo theft, or anti-terrorism task forces.
Port Police Dive Team
Formed in 1989, the Los Angeles Port Police Dive Team serve as an underwater unit who police the entire port area from the docks to the breakwater. The Dive Team often assists the U.S. Coast Guard to investigate spills, accidents and suspicious incidents.
Port Police K-9 Unit
Canine officers are a vital component of the Port Police. The drug-sniffing dogs are certified by the California Narcotics Canine Association and are trained to sniff and locate narcotics in any of the thousands of cargo and passenger ships that move through the Port each year. The bomb dogs are specifically trained to sniff out explosive materials with a primary assignment of patrolling cruise ships and the World Cruise Center Terminal.
Cargo Theft Interdiction Program (CTIP)
Formerly known as Cargo CATs (Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team), CTIP is a coordinated multi-agency effort responsible for the prevention and investigation of incidents of cargo theft in Southern California. The CTIP partnership includes several major law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels: Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Vernon Police Department, California Department of Insurance and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection.
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
The HIDTA is a coordinated anti-drug task force that targets drug trafficking in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Operated by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies teamed up to form the HIDTA. This task force replaced the Marine Anti-Smuggling Team (MAST), originally formed in 1994.
Contact: Los Angeles Port Police Headquarters, 330 Centre Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, (310) 732-3500
