Los Angeles in the early 20th century continued its growth spurt. The expanding city went from 102,000 residents in 1900 to 577,000 10 years later, making it the 10th ranked city by population nationally in 1910. Meanwhile, the undersized police department had only 103 officers in 1900.

Cincinnati, Ohio, which had to patrol 5,000 fewer acres than LA, had 512. As one LA chief put it:
When you attempt to carry a two-ton load on a one-ton truck you cannot hope to transport the load properly…you have breakdowns….The most highly trained efficiency expert can never devise a way to performing the physically impossible task of having one man simultaneously in three
different places, and that is about what we are trying to do with things as they are now.


CHAPTER 10 — FROM HORSE TO HORSEPOWER, 1905-1910

Seemingly always outnumbered, the Los Angeles Police Department had to be inventive—so as they would throughout their history, its leaders instinctively turned to technology. In 1905, it was the new electric
and gas-powered automobile. They were not the only ones. The expanding city abruptly fell in love with the “horseless carriage” and consequently, the city, as if having a makeover, took on a new
look. Where horses once galloped, the sound and congestion of autos ruled supreme. To keep pace, the LAPD received its first patrol vehicle, which happened to be electric, in June 1905. It came with a “20 horse-power battery” and was one of the first and finest “patrol wagon outfits in the world.” As the Herald wrote: An electric patrol wagon, noiselessly speeding down Spring street, whizzing around corners and stopping within its own length, was the object of universal admiration yesterday….The machine, which is a magnificent vehicle, was turned over to the department….The machine is the delight of the police.