West Covina Police Department

If you, a loved one or a family member was arrested by or is being investigated by the West Covina Police Department, it is common to need to know the bail amount (if any) associated with the offense (if an own recognizance (OR) release is denied), the evidence needed to convict one for the crime that allegedly took place, the defenses possible and the sentence a judge can impose if one is convicted of the crime. 

 
We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is also smart to know a few more things before interacting with any branch of law enforcement.  It can be helpful to know the size of the police or sheriff’s department, the city’s demographics, the most common types of crime the department investigates and just a bit about the city’s history to make one’s communication with law enforcement more meaningful, more savvy and perhaps, more respectful.  This can lead to a better outcome than if one lacks such perspective.

This article is presented with this goal in mind.

The West Covina police department is staffed by ninety sworn police officers and an undisclosed number of non-sworn staff personnel.  This makes the West Covina Police Department a larger-than-average police department within Los Angeles County. 

The City of West Covina had a population of 109,501 as of 2020, spread out over 16.09 square miles.  As of 2010, the racial makeup of West Covina was 42.8% White (15.3% Non-Hispanic White), 4.5% Black, 25.8% Asian, and 53.2% Hispanic or Latino. 

 
During 2009–2013, West Covina had a median household income of $67,088, with 10% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

Most of the foreign-born population in West Covina were born in Mexico (27.3%),the Philippines ( 18.9%), Mainland China (13.7%), Vietnam (9.6%), Taiwan (5.5%), El Salvador (3.1%), Hong Kong (2.7%), Guatemala (1.5%) and Indonesia (1.2%). 

  
According to the 2000 Census, Mexicans and Filipinos were the most common ancestries in West Covina.  Mexico and the Philippines were the most common foreign places of birth.

The most common ancestries in West Covina are Irish, German, English, Italian, and French. The most common non-English languages spoken are Spanish and Chinese.

The crime rate in West Covina is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 27 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate.  The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in West Covina is 1 in 37. 

Based on FBI crime data, West Covina is not one of the safest communities in America.  Relative to California, West Covina has a crime rate that is higher than 76% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Violent crime in West Covina occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America.  The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime in West Covina; such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape or murder; is 1 in 245. This equates to a rate of 4 per one thousand inhabitants.

Neighborhood Scout's analysis also reveals that West Covina's rate for property crime is 23 per one thousand population.  This makes West Covina a place where there is an above average chance of becoming a victim of property crime, when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes.  Property crimes are motor vehicle theft, arson, larceny, and burglary.  One’s chance of becoming a victim of any of these crimes in West Covina is one in 43.

Importantly, West Covina has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the nation according to our analysis of FBI crime data.  This is compared to communities of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest. In fact, one’s chance of getting your car stolen if you live in West Covina is one in 252.

For more information about being arrested and possibly facing a criminal case, please click on the following articles:

Below is the Google Map to the West Covina Police Department.