San Andreas Police Department

Overview

The San Andreas Police Department (SAPD) is the state's main law enforcement agency in GTA San Andreas. It is split into city forces, the LSPD in Los Santos, the SFPD in San Fierro and the LVPD in Las Venturas, plus sheriff's deputies who cover the countryside, a motorcycle division, SWAT teams and a water unit.

Wanted level role

• One star: an officer on foot plus one or two patrol cars, and motor officers on HPV-1000 bikes in the cities. A single star wears off on its own.
• Two stars: police chase hard, motor officers open fire, Predator boats patrol the water and cars start cutting CJ off at junctions.
• Three stars: a Police Maverick arrives and drops SWAT officers, roadblocks go up and officers carry shotguns.
• Four stars: SWAT Enforcer vans join in and form heavier roadblocks, and Hydra jets go after CJ if he is flying.
• At five stars the FBI takes over, and at six stars the army arrives.
• Being busted costs CJ his weapons and a fine from $100 to $1,500.

Early on, the game caps the wanted level at four stars. Five stars become possible after The Green Sabre, and six after Yay Ka-Boom-Boom.

Equipment

• Vehicles: Police Car, Ranger for the sheriffs, HPV-1000, Enforcer, S.W.A.T., Police Maverick and Predator.
• Weapons: patrol officers carry a pistol and a nightstick, switching to shotguns from three stars. SMGs, Micro SMGs, Desert Eagles, combat shotguns and sniper rifles also appear.

Stations

Each city has a headquarters: Pershing Square in Los Santos, Downtown San Fierro and Roca Escalante in Las Venturas. Each one has a locked garage holding that city's police vehicles, and smaller stations serve the rural towns.

Role in the story

The corrupt C.R.A.S.H. unit of the LSPD, led by Frank Tenpenny, drives much of the plot. Regular officers raid the Jefferson Motel in Reuniting the Families and fight CJ throughout End of the Line.

Tips

• Pay 'n' Spray, police bribes and a change of clothes clear the wanted level.
• Dating Barbara Schternvart lets CJ keep his weapons when busted.