 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 now authorized a personnel force of 111 full-time
and 19 part-time employees, 87 of which are sworn police officers.
Gardena History - (click picture to enlarge)
 
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