Gastonia Police Department is the second largest urban police department in the metropolitan area. The Gastonia Police Depart ... ment employs 178 police officers, and 24 civilian employees. Gastonia has a population of about 77,000 residents. An additional 10,000-15,000 people are also here at any given time to work or shop. In addition about 50,000 cars a day travel through the city on I-85. read more