Voter approval of the Los Angeles Police Department is stronger than at any point in the last two decades, and the department has closed much of the gap between the views of whites and those of blacks and Latinos, according to The Times Poll of 1,500 registered voters in Los Angeles.

The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a Democratic polling firm, in conjuction with Public Opinion Strategies, a Republican polling firm, also found majority support for recognition of same-sex couples. Although a majority of voters voiced approval of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's performance, smaller numbers say they support his potential bid for governor in 2010. The survey was conducted June 10-26 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. See complete poll results on Greenberg Quinlan Rosner's website or view a PowerPoint presentation of the poll's findings to see more of the highlights.

Approval of LAPD

Q: Do you approve or disapprove of the job being done by the Los Angeles Police Department?