Local Police Departments can vary in size from the smallest backwater country town to LAPD with more than 9,000 sworn officers. However, more than 80% of all local police officers are at departments with fewer than 25 total officers. Because of this variation, an applicant must look at other factors, such as department size and region of the country to accurately assess a department.

However, in general, Local Departments provide a greater range of responsibilities for each officer. A Local Police Officer will see a wide range of types of incidence, ranging from fraud to narcotics to homicide. Because they are generally smaller, Local Departments frequently do not have enough officers to create specialized units. Local Departments are also much more community-oriented have smaller patrol areas.

Pros:

Generally smaller departments
High variety in type of incidence and responsibilities
Closer work with the community

Cons:

Officer may need to perform many department functions
Less specialization
Frequently lower starting salaries
Departments may not be as well funded as state and federal departments

Examples:

Los Angeles Police Department
San Francisco Police Department
Oakland Police Department
Mountain View Police Department