Metro Division developed from a compact , mobile crime-fighting team formed by Chief James E. Davis in 1933 . Named the Reserve Unit , it was formed to work throughout Los Angeles to specifically suppress criminal activity . By 1968 the unit was expanded from 70 officers to approximately 200 officers . In 1997 , following the North Hollywood bank robbery , numbers were increased to approximately 350 sworn officers and 16 civilian support personnel
North Hollywood bank robbery
North Hollywood shootout
LAPD Metropolitan Division