Parker Center

The Parker Center, located in downtown Los Angeles was the former location of the Los Angeles Police Department until October 2009. It is named for the former LAPD Chief William Parker. Construction of the Parker Center began in 1952 and was completed in 1955. The building was used as a prominent location for the 1950's television series Dragnet.

Several other television shows used the location for the filming of their television series. Police drama, Hunter was filmed there during seasons six and seven as well as the video game called Police Quest. Parker Center did incur some damage during the 1992 Los Angeles riots sparked by the Rodney King incident.

The Parker Center was designed by architect Welton Becket. Chief William Parker passed away due to a heart attack on July 16, 1966. Shorty thereafter the city council voted to name the building after the late Chief. The original name was the Police Administration Center. By the late 1990's other locations were being considered as locations for the Police Station as the Parker Center had become outdated. Eventually a new location was decided upon and the Los Angeles police moved shop to a property located next to city hall.