LAPD Oversight Report Reveals Lack of Tracking for Foreign Training, Including Trips to Israel
The Los Angeles Police Department lacks a comprehensive system for tracking employees who participate in training programs with foreign law enforcement agencies, according to a new report from the Police Commission’s Office of the Inspector General. The report, released on February 7, 2026, details deficiencies in record-keeping and oversight, raising questions about the value and potential implications of these international engagements.
Over the past decade, at least nine trips to Israel have been undertaken by LAPD personnel to train with or learn from Israeli counterterrorism experts, costing a total of $87,000. However, the report found that officers routinely failed to adequately document what they learned during these sessions or maintain records of who they met with. This lack of documentation extends to dozens of other overseas seminars and conferences attended by LAPD employees.
The findings come as the LAPD’s relationship with Israeli security forces faces increased scrutiny, particularly in light of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and the resulting allegations of genocide. The report examined 117 “foreign training activities” involving 243 LAPD employees between January 1, 2014, and August 1, 2024.
LAPD officials have stated that the purpose of the trips to Israel was to gain insights from Israeli counterterrorism expertise. However, the inspector general’s report notes that the department has not demonstrably adopted any new tactics, altered policies, or developed training programs based on these international trips, largely due to the lack of detailed records. The report’s authors stated the absence of records made it impossible to verify claims by LAPD officials.
The report also highlighted a broader issue of inadequate record-keeping across all foreign training activities. While department officials are required to obtain permission for department-related travel, the report found that documentation was often “brief” and failed to capture “key takeaways, practical applications, or potential benefits to the Department.”
One instance cited in the report involved a deputy chief and seven other employees traveling to Israel for a “Command and Control Counter-Terrorism” event, funded by a $52,470 federal grant. Despite the expenditure, police officials could not provide information on the trip’s accomplishments or benefits to the department.
At a Police Commission meeting on Tuesday, LAPD officials acknowledged the need for improvement and stated they had begun creating a better tracking system. They also noted that many travel records prior to 2021 had been deleted in accordance with the department’s data retention guidelines.
Beyond Israel, LAPD personnel have traveled to Italy and France in preparation for hosting the Olympics, and to countries including Mexico, Thailand, Canada, the U.K., Germany, Poland, Singapore, and Austria for various training opportunities. Roughly 80% of these trips were financed through external funding sources, such as police foundations and grants, which often resulted in even fewer detailed records.
The report raised concerns about the potential risks and conflicts of interest associated with accepting funding from outside sources, recommending that the LAPD consider disclosing these donations. It also noted a lack of a process to adequately assess security risks within host countries, including vetting foreign contacts against U.S. National security databases.
The inspector general’s office recommended that the LAPD maintain records detailing the location, category, and topics covered at each training event, and require participants to submit evaluation reports outlining lessons learned and potential applications for the department.
The report also referenced recent scrutiny surrounding the LAPD’s decision to allow five officers from the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Interior to train at the LAPD’s Police Academy in 2023, prompting questions about the department’s relationships with foreign security services accused of human rights violations.
Amr Shabaik, legal director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ greater Los Angeles chapter, expressed hope that officials would re-examine the issue as more information becomes available. He highlighted concerns about the lack of documentation regarding the content of the training and the potential for conflicts of interest related to private funding. “What are they learning, what are they bringing back home? All of that is not documented and is concerning,” Shabaik said.
LAPD officials have previously stated that cultural exchanges can foster better understanding between agencies and help address international organized crime and terrorist threats. However, the inspector general’s report concludes that the absence of detailed records hinders the ability to assess the value of these trips and ensure alignment with existing department policies.
