Bordering Los Angeles County, Los Alamitos is a small North Orange County City with nearly 12,000 people. The city celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010 with a year of events, including a carnival and parade. Los Alamitos has its own police department, and it contracts with the Orange County Fire Authority for its fire services. The city is home to the Los Alamitos Medical Center and the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.
The Los Alamitos Civic Center is located on Katella Avenue just off the 605 (San Gabriel) Freeway, before the intersection of the city's two main drags—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella Avenue. The city is served by a five-member City Council elected at large, with the position of mayor rotating annually. Elections are staggered every two years, and each council term is for four years. In Los Alamitos, the position of mayor is not a full-time position. The Los Alamitos city manager is the city's executive officer. Major city departments located at the civic center include the police, public works and recreation and community services departments.