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Gardena Police Department

The City of Gardena was incorporated on 11 September 1930 with an estimated population of 3,000. On 30 September 1930, George B. Norman was appointed by the City Council as the City’s first Chief of Police.

As the City’s only law enforcement officer, Chief Norman received clerical assistance from his wife, and received mutual aid assistance from the County Sheriff’s sub-station, located near 108th Street and Vermont Avenue. Chief Norman and his wife shared office space with the City Clerk’s Office, and Chief Norman used his personal 1930 Studebaker as his police car. Due to a lack of radio communications, those requiring police assistance summoned the police chief by telephoning the police station, or calling him at home.

In 1935, Chief Norman obtained a one-way radio communication system (radio receiver), which allowed the County Sheriff’s Office to forward radio calls to him. The Police Department also placed a red light on top of a tall pole, and when the Police Department received a call for service, they lit the red light, and the on-duty officer would call the station to receive the information on the call for service.

As time went on, the police force grew, employing fifteen (15) police officers in 1947; thirty-two (32) police officers in 1957; and thirty-five (35) police officers in 1960.

Due to the growth of the Police Department, the City realized the need to build a new police facility, and on 29 August 1963, the police force of thirty-nine (39) officers moved into the current police building, located at 1718 W 162 Street.

The Police Department is currently authorized a personnel force of 145 employees, 99 of which are sworn police officers.

 

Martin Rivera

Oct 28, 2026
Full time
Police Officer Recruit
$87,336 yearly
Gardena Police Department Gardena, CA
A Police Trainee is a non-sworn, local government, miscellaneous employee as defined under Government Code Section 20018.  Upon hire, the Police Trainee is eligible to begin receiving civilian police training as well as attending a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified police academy to prepare the incumbent to assume the responsibilities of a Police Officer upon completion of the academy.  Work may also include performing non-sworn police-related tasks directly for the Police Department during non-academy hours. Under general supervision, will perform law enforcement, crime prevention and other duties related to the position as required. Examples of Duties REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES The Police Trainee will be receiving training for eventual appointment as a Police Officer within the Gardena Police Department. Until appointment as a Police Officer, the Trainee is a non-sworn position performing civilian police training work and...
Oct 28, 2026
Full time
Police Officer Lateral Gardena
$102,744 yearly
Gardena Police Department Gardena, CA
The philosophy of the Gardena Police Department emphasizes a responsible partnership with the community to identify, reduce, eliminate and prevent problems that impact community safety and order.   Under general supervision,  police officers provide law enforcement services toward attaining the purpose, goals and objectives of the Police Department and the City of Gardena.  While adhering to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, they execute their activities with other personnel, bureaus, divisions and departments to ensure that all work efforts effectively mobilize the resources of the Police Department to promote public safety of the community. Police Officers are responsible for implementing organizational strategies that support the systematic use of community partnerships and collaborative problem-solving techniques to proactively address conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.  Over several...