On June 9, 2025, during anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles, LAPD’s response—marked by the use of non‐lethal rounds, smoke bombs, and a high number of arrests—resulted in injuries to officers and heightened concerns about an authoritarian policing approach amid politically charged demonstrations.

During violent protests linked to immigration raids in Los Angeles, LAPD officers set up containment lines to separate demonstrators from armed National Guardsmen. An incident where a reporter was injured by a rubber bullet further underscored tensions. These actions, occurring amid politically charged narratives from national figures, highlight the use of authoritative measures that may contribute to repressive state practices.

During violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles, the LAPD arrested 21 individuals and deployed crowd-control munitions to disperse protesters. This aggressive enforcement, while aimed at restoring order, raises concerns about the suppression of dissent and the use of authoritarian tactics in managing public protests.

On June 7, 2025, as ICE conducted coordinated raids across Los Angeles, protests erupted in response. The LAPD, initially on standby, eventually declared an unlawful assembly outside a federal building and ordered protesters to disperse using crowd-control measures amid escalating clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.

The Los Angeles City Council approved a ballot measure that grants the LAPD chief authority to immediately fire officers for certain serious misconduct. Critics warn that while the measure aims to address persistent issues of police accountability, it may concentrate power in leadership and reduce civilian oversight, potentially enabling authoritarian management practices.

The Los Angeles City Council has requested a report from the LAPD detailing its efforts to monitor and combat forced labor practices. The initiative aims to ensure that forced labor does not infiltrate city contracts and that vulnerable populations are protected from exploitative work conditions.

The Los Angeles City Council has requested that the LAPD submit a report detailing its efforts to monitor and combat forced labor practices. This includes highlighting its specialized unit for labor-related crimes and its Exploitation and Investigative Section that investigates human and sex trafficking, indicating an initiative towards transparency and accountability in protecting vulnerable communities.

An investigation reveals that LAPD's training programs for foreign police, including officers from the UAE and Israeli forces, have raised significant human rights concerns. Critics argue that these partnerships may facilitate the spread of repressive policing tactics and undermine accountability, thereby indirectly supporting authoritarian practices.

A coalition of civil rights groups, including Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles, filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court challenging LAPD's 'high-risk' traffic stop policy. The groups allege that the practice, which allows officers to use aggressive tactics during stops based on faulty intelligence, disproportionately targets Black and Latino residents, undermining public trust and raising civil rights concerns.

The LAPD announced plans to launch three Real-Time Crime Centers that will merge private surveillance camera feeds with public security cameras. This initiative aims to enhance rapid crime response but has sparked concerns regarding privacy and the risk of authoritarian surveillance practices.

In response to ongoing scandals and internal reports of body camera misuse, the LAPD is considering modifications to its body camera policy. The directive, communicated in an email by Chief Michel Moore on October 19, 2023, calls for increased random review of body-worn video footage—even in cases without arrests or use of force—to improve accountability and transparency. The department is also exploring technological enhancements, including recovery of extended footage and the potential use of AI for monitoring officer interactions.

The Los Angeles Police Foundation is promoting a donation-driven initiative that funds special training programs for the LAPD. The initiative is showcased on the LAPF website, emphasizing fundraising, specialized law enforcement training, and community support, which bolsters the department's operational capacity.

An article published on August 17, 2023 by Politico describes how the LAPD, through its politically active police union, campaigned against mayoral candidate Karen Bass. Despite previously opposing Bass, the political dynamic shifted as Bass later proposed a police raise. This incident illustrates the politicization of law enforcement, calling into question the department's neutrality and raising concerns about its influence in local politics.

City leaders voted to slash the LAPD budget by $150M, reducing officer numbers and reallocating funds toward community programs for minority populations, reflecting a move to defund repressive policing.

An investigation by the Los Angeles Times reveals that the LAPD, through its close association with the Los Angeles Police Foundation, has engaged in secretive fundraising and donor engagements. The agency and foundation have accepted private donations—including funds used for advanced surveillance technologies and predictive policing—that raise questions about transparency, ethical practices, and undue influence on policing decisions.