Los Angeles International Airport police sometimes leave LAX to help officers in other cities.

Los Angeles radio station KNX-AM reports Thursday that airport officers were dispatched at least 17 times in about the past year-and-a-half to aid police in nearby cities.

KNX says officers were sent to a gang fight in adjacent El Segundo and 27 officers once left for several hours to control a rave party in Inglewood.

The department has about 400 officers. Police Chief George Centeno and Los Angeles World Airports chief Gina Marie Lindsey say the airport "which is considered a prime terrorist target" always had sufficient police staffing when it provided emergency assistance.

However, KNX says the department has changed policy and now requires top officials to approve off-airport responses.