If you’ve spent any time driving through the tree-lined streets of Uptown or grabbing a coffee near the Quad, you’ve probably seen the black-and-whites cruising by. The city of whittier police department (WPD) is one of those local fixtures people take for granted until they actually need a report filed or a noise complaint handled. But honestly, there is a lot more going on behind the badge than just patrolling the 14.5 square miles of this historic "Ye Friendly Town."
Most people think local PDs are all the same. They aren't. Whittier operates a bit differently than its neighbors in Los Angeles County. For starters, did you know they actually cover two cities? It’s a unique setup. Since 1995, Whittier has handled the policing for the neighboring City of Santa Fe Springs through a specialized contract. That means when you talk about the WPD, you’re talking about a force responsible for roughly 100,000 residents and a massive industrial corridor.
Who is actually in charge of the city of whittier police?
Right now, Chief Aviv Bar leads the agency. He’s a veteran who worked his way up the ranks, and he manages a team of about 125 sworn officers. The hierarchy is pretty standard—you’ve got the Chief, two captains, six lieutenants, and fourteen sergeants—but the way they deploy is what matters to the average resident.
They run on a 3/12.5 shift schedule. Basically, that means officers work three long days, then get four days off. It’s a grueling pace, but it keeps the patrol units consistent. If you ever see a squad car in Santa Fe Springs, it might look slightly different or have different markings, but those are Whittier officers. They even have a dedicated staging facility and a detective bureau specifically for the Santa Fe Springs side of the operation.
What real crime looks like in Whittier right now
Everyone wants to know: Is it safe?
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The data from the end of 2024 and early 2025 shows a mixed bag. Violent crime across the region has actually seen a bit of a dip—down about 6% recently—but property crime is the thing that keeps everyone on Nextdoor complaining. We're talking about catalytic converter thefts, shoplifting, and "porch piracy." It’s frustrating because these aren't always high-priority "emergency" calls, but they impact your quality of life.
- Emergency Response: The WPD averages a 4:32 minute response time for emergency calls. That’s actually way faster than the national average, which usually hovers between 5 and 11 minutes.
- Budgetary Weight: The city puts its money where its mouth is, allocating about 30% of the entire General Fund to public safety.
- The "Measure W" Factor: Back in 2020, voters passed Measure W, a sales tax increase. That money directly funded six new officer positions that the department desperately needed after years of post-recession stagnation.
The June 2025 Incident: A Reality Check
Public safety isn't just about catching speeders. In June 2025, Whittier got caught in a whirlwind of regional tension. You might remember the standoff at the DoubleTree Hotel in Uptown.
Rumors flew on social media that federal immigration agents were staying there. They weren't. It turned out to be deputies from Santa Clara County who were just doing a routine inmate transport. But the crowd got agitated, windows were smashed, and the city of whittier police had to call in a regional "tactical alert" to disperse the group around 2:00 a.m.
It was a messy reminder of how fast misinformation can turn a quiet suburb into a flashpoint. The department had to balance the right to protest with the need to stop people from trashing a local business. No one was injured, but it left a mark on the community's psyche.
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Specialized Units and the "Cool Stuff"
The WPD isn't just patrol cars. They have a 21-member SWAT team (officially the Tactical Team). They mostly handle high-risk search warrants. If things get really sideways, they call in the LA County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau for extra muscle.
They also have a Forensic Unit that recently got a $550,000 grant for tech upgrades. If there’s a crime scene in Whittier or Santa Fe Springs, these are the folks dusting for prints and collecting DNA. They don’t outsource that to the county; they do it in-house.
Then there’s the K9 unit. These dogs aren't just for show. They are trained for both "find and bark" (searching for suspects) and narcotics detection. You’ll often see them at community events like the "Sound The Alarm" Red Cross events or City Council meetings when the department is doing outreach.
Thinking of joining? Here is the deal
The department is almost always looking for "Police Officer Trainees." The pay is decent—starting somewhere between $5,297 and $6,761 a month while you're in the academy. But they are picky.
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- The Tattoo Rule: You can have them, but they have to be covered while on duty. No exceptions.
- Drug History: If you’ve used marijuana in the last three years, you’re likely out. Even though it's legal in California, the WPD keeps a stricter standard for their background checks.
- The Test: You have to pass the POST PELLETB (a written exam) and a physical agility test that involves climbing walls and dragging a 165-pound dummy.
They also offer some pretty solid perks, like 75% tuition reimbursement if you want to get your Master's degree. They want smart cops, not just tough ones.
Why it matters to you
At the end of the day, the city of whittier police department is the thin line between a peaceful night at Central Park and total chaos. Whether it's the Traffic Bureau handling a fender bender on Whittier Blvd or a Student Resource Officer (SRO) walking the halls at Whittier High, their presence is woven into the city's fabric.
They aren't perfect—no department is. The Police Scorecard, which tracks things like "low-level arrests" and "use of force," gives them a middle-of-the-pack rating. There’s always room for improvement in transparency and how they handle mental health calls. But for a mid-sized city, they punch above their weight class.
Next Steps for Residents:
If you want to stay informed or get involved, don't just wait for something bad to happen. Check out the Crime Mapping tool on the WPD website to see what’s happening in your specific neighborhood. If you're a business owner, look into filing a "Trespass Letter" with the department; it gives them the authority to remove loiterers from your property even when you aren't there. Lastly, consider attending a "Coffee with a Cop" event—it’s the best way to ask the tough questions without the stress of a siren behind you.