A Guide to the Best of Southern California : BROWSING : Police Store

Stuck for a last-minute holiday gift? The usual stores just won’t cut it this year? Well then, a trip to the Academy Store at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park is practically mandatory for your jaded shopping self.

Where else will you find such a huge selection of T-shirts, coffee mugs, paper clips, stationery and baseball caps inscribed with the LAPD logo? It even appears on baby outfits and baby bottles.

Or you can opt for the big guns--the back of the store is a small but complete gun shop. The weapons are the high-ticket buys; most of the shop’s wares sell for less than $50. One exception, and perhaps the most unusual item offered, is a “gamewell box,” the machine used to make calls to the station house back in the ‘50s. It goes for $150.

Assistant Operations Officer Chuck Foote says T-shirts, most of them bought by locals for out-of-town relatives and friends, are the most popular gifts. Go ahead, make their day.

The Academy Store, 1880 N. Academy Drive, Elysian Park; (213) 221-3101.