Officials said disbanding the unit was a tough decision, but stressed that it made up only a small part of the LAPD's counter-terrorism efforts and that the bureau's primary function of gathering intelligence continues. Roughly 270 people are assigned to the bureau, Downing said. "It was a valued asset and I would have liked to keep it," he said, "but every part of the department has to make sacrifices right now and this made the most sense."