LAPD Blog

Class 5-09 Recruit Graduation

Temp Chief Downing at the Graduating Class 5-09

November 6, 2009 – On the athletic field at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park, the newest members of the Department proudly stood at attention as they were presented with their diploma of graduation.  Forty-two individuals underwent six months of intense training which culminated with today’s ceremony in front of Department brass, dignitaries and their family and friends.

Temporary Chief of Police Michael Downing, who was participating in his first graduation as Chief, offered words of encouragement to the young officers.

“You’ll be a hero to some, an enemy to a few and a beacon of hope to many,” said Chief Downing.  “Every time you step out of your police car, someone is looking to you for your leadership and no matter what your rank, you’re a leader.”

There is little down time for these new officers as many of them will begin their new assignments on the street of Los Angeles within the next 36 hours.  For more information on how you can become a Los Angeles Police officer, please visit www.joinlapd.com

Grand Opening Of The New Police Administration Building

Chief Bratton - podcast

Mayor Villaraigosa - podcast

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, Downtown Los Angeles skyline witnessed the grand opening of the New Police Administration Building. Participants of the prestigious ribbon cutting ceremony included, city officials, law enforcement dignitaries from outside agencies, and dozens of uniformed Police Officers.

The event was initiated with the presentation of colors by the LAPD Honor Guard, followed by a touching rendition of the National Anthem performed by the Los Angeles Police Concert Band. Without a doubt the highlight of the event was a presentation of LAPD’s SWAT unit, descending down the side of the ten story building, as the American flag unfurled down from the rooftop.

Attendees of the event had the opportunity to meet many of the officers that patrol the Downtown area and view displays of the Department’s specialized units such as K-9, Detective Bureau, Bomb Squad and SWAT. Guest also enjoyed samples of some of Downtown’s finest eateries whom provided the food for the event. As a reflection of the diverse communities that the Department serves, entertainment performances included Fiesta Group Folklorico, and the Japanese Festival Sounds taiko drummers.

Chief Bratton expressed his pleasure in the overall design of the building from the openness of the landscape to the location of the building which faces City Hall. Chief Bratton expressed   these features around the building are reflections of the transparency which now represent the relationship between the Department and the community. He further stated, “this building was consciously designed to be one, of the people, and for the people, this building is the people’s house.”

The new Police Administration Building is a 500,000 square-foot structure. The construction of the building was possible through funding from Proposition Q. It features an underground parking structure, a 400 seat auditorium, a 200 seat Café, scheduled to open in the spring of 2010, and a one acre public park. The event culminated the year-long celebration of the Departments 140th Anniversary.

Wilshire Inspection

On Thursday, October 22, 2009, Chief Bratton gave his second to last divisional inspection.  As in the past 7 years, Chief Bratton walked down the columns inspecting the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department.  Afterwards, the Chief commented on how outstanding their appearance was jokingly stating, “Boy I know your shoeshine guy made a lot of money in the past few days.”  He further reminded the troops on the excellent work they have completed over the past years by quoting crime statistics.  He encouraged the Officers to keep up the good work, that in ten days he would no longer have the privilege to wear the badge.  Throughout his speech he continued to thank them for their hard work and support.  The last thing he told the officers was to remember that “Cops count but Police matter”

2nd Annual Randy Simmons 5K Challenge Run

OCTOBER 17, 2009 – In the early morning hours, hundreds of runners gathered at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park for the second running of the Randy Simmons 5K Challenge.  The program commenced with the widow of the late Officer Simmons, Lisa Simmons, offering her sincere gratitude for everyone’s participation and willingness to keep his memory alive.

With the sound of the gun the runners began what would be a 3.1 mile trek through the hills behind Dodger Stadium.  Runners consisted of family members and former co-workers of Randy, Department employees, Sheriff and Fire Department employees and civilians.  Some of the participants ran in “platoon” formation and carried their unit flag.

The race concluded on the Police Academy athletic field where runner’s times were recorded and their photo was taken.  The top three runners from each category were awarded medals for their performance.  Many of the participants took the time to meet with the Simmons family members in attendance.  With a noticeably larger turnout for this event then last year, the memory of Officer Simmons is sure to live on for years to come.

All the proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Randal Simmons Foundation.  The Randall Simmons Foundation is a faith based non-profit organization dedicating to continuing the legacy of Officer Randal Simmons through empowering and encouraging families in underserved areas.

To view additional photos from the event, please visit the LAPD Sports Page.

Sunshine Kids

Today the Los Angeles Police Department honored twenty seven Sunshine Kids at the Sheraton Universal Hotel for the fourth year.  “Sunshine Kids” are children that are affected with various degrees of cancer.   Despite all they go through day after day the kids felt like movie stars when they walked down the red carpet to receive their honorary LAPD police badge.

 Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell welcomed the children as they took front stage. Chief McDonnell stated “Nobody ever calls the police when things are going well, it’s when things are upside down and someone’s world is inside out; they call you to come out and fix it.  We see an awful lot of negative, so to be able to participate in a day like today where it’s all positive and to see people like yourself who have the courage that you have, it’s a great feeling.” 

The children were given an honorary ID, badge and a handmade quilt made by volunteers.  After the ceremony the kids were transported by LAPD Reserve Officer’s code-3 to Raleigh Studios. They viewed a screening of the “closer” and finished the day off with lunch.

The 2009 Essay Contest Winner

The 6th Annual LAPD Essay Contest was open to students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Students were asked to write what they would do that would have the greatest impact on the community if they were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day.  Each of the ten winners and their essay are featured on the Department’s website, one each week.  The following essay is one of the ten winning submissions.

Being a Los Angeles Police Department Officer can be difficult.  It is a huge responsibility to be an LAPD Officer.  As I thought about what I would do as an officer, I realized that there was much to do for the community.

If I was an LAPD officer for a day, first I would secure the schools in the community.  I would do that by being in front of the school in the morning to make sure the kids are not in danger.  During the school day I would be driving around to make sure kids are not ditching.  After school I would also be in front of the school so that nothing wrong is occurring.  The reason why I would secure the schools is because it is an important part of the community.

Another thing I would do is roam around the community to make sure people are not tagging.  The reason I would do that is because I know nobody wants a gang related neighborhood.  To do my job, I would check the places where the taggers hang out and make sure they’re not tagging up the streets or parks in the community.

In the evening I would also make sure cars are not speeding.  In order to see if cars are speeding, I would hide close to a main street.  Once I see a car speeding, I would go after it.  Another thing I would do is check if people are driving abnormal.  If they are driving abnormal, then it is more likely they’re driving drunk.  Speed and drunk driving is wrong because they put their life and other people’s life in danger.

I chose these three things to do because I find them important for the community’s safety.  If I was an LAPD officer, I would do the above mentioned things to shape up the community.  By making the community better people, the neighborhood would admire me and I would feel a great satisfaction to have served the community.

Michael Jackson Memorial Traffic Info/Updates

Bus detours for Michael Jackson memorial on Monday, Tuesday

DOT Additional Traffic Information

For more information, please visit LAPDOnline.org

Michael Jackson - Dodger Stadium Ticket/Wristband Update

Dodger Stadium opened at 8:00 am for winners to pick up wristbands for tomorrow’s Memorial Service at Staple Center. The winners are arriving at a steady pace in vehicles through main entrance of Dodger Stadium.

******************************************************************************************************************************

As of 10:30 am, Sgt. Fernando Carrasco from Command Post at Dodger Stadium, all vehicles are going in order row by row.  So far everything is going smoothly.

******************************************************************************************************************************

11:15 am Dodger Stadium: 2,200 of the 17,000 tickets have been reportedly picked up. Although there have been no arrests or detainment's, LAPD officers report that scalping laws will be enforced both inside and outside of Dodger Stadium. The stadium, open since 11am yesterday, has been under control with sufficient officers available and working.

******************************************************************************************************************************

The Hollywood Forest Lawn Cemetery is filled with news media from all around the world as well as Michael Jackson's fans who are camped out for tomorrow's service.
 
Officers are patrolling the area and all is quiet.

******************************************************************************************************************************

2009 Community Police Advisory Board Summit

Members of the area Community Police Advisory Boards (C-PAB), Department command staff, volunteers and dignitaries gathered on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles for the 2009 Community Police Advisory Board Summit.  The summit, which was sponsored by the Los Angeles Police Foundation, offers participants an opportunity to hear from Department brass on the state of the organization as well as affording them a chance to see how one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the nation, the Forensic Science Center, works. 

California State Senator Alex Padilla addressed the congregation and offered his own life experiences on being an active member of the community and police supporter.  As a former Los Angeles City Council member and resident of Los Angeles, his rhetoric resonated with the crowd of community advocates.

 After a series of guest speakers and video presentations, the crowd of 516 participants separated into 6 Break-Out Groups to participate in six seminar’s that were aimed at giving them an overview of the Scientific Investigation Division and their new facility.  These seminar’s included: Crime Scenario; Forensics Firearms, Trace, DNA; Forensics Chemical Processing and Questioned Documents; Forensics Narcotics and Toxicology; and Department Response Vehicles.

 Community Police Advisory Boards were created in 1993 by the Christopher Commission to provide community members an opportunity to provide information and advice to their respective area and to take information from the Police Department back into the community.  Each of the 21 geographic areas (community police stations) throughout Los Angeles has its own C-PAB. 

 For information on how you can become a member of your local C-PAB, please contact your area Senior Lead Officer.

2009 Essay Contest Winner

The 6th Annual LAPD Essay Contest was open to students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Students were asked to write what they would do that would have the greatest impact on the community if they were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day.  Each of the ten winners and their essay are featured on the Department’s website, one each week.  The following essay is one of the ten winning submissions.

If you were a police officer for a day, what would you do to help the community?  I have never really thought about it until now.  Police officers are just everyday heroes that can’t fly, unless they get into a helicopter of course.  If I were a police officer for a day, I would attempt to abolish gang violence that threatens the citizens of our society.  I will also prevent children from joining gangs.  It’s better to live in happiness than to live in sorrow.

I would first attempt to abolish gang violence by rounding up gang members, and instead as an alternative I will send them to create my own type of boot camp where they will be trained and treated like a soldier; instead of sending them directly to prison.  The boot camp will be based on a program called devil pups.  It is a youth program that teaches teamwork, confidence, and admiration for others as well as yourself.  Most gang members don’t understand the prison they have unleashed upon our society.  It’s like a hazardous chemical that has been discarded into a lake, and now it has affected every living organism within that body of water.

My second proposal is to instruct children and adolescences about the consequences for joining gangs.  This program will be based on the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program, which teaches about drugs and gangs.  Instead of teaching the program to 7th graders, it will be taught to 5th graders who will be attending middle school the following year.  According to my research, students join gangs at a younger age.  It’s better to educate the youth ahead of time so they make secure and dependable decisions.  “A team is where a boy can prove his courage on his own.  A gang is where a coward goes to hide.”  Mickey Mantle wrote this quote; he was a former gang member.

I believe this alternative proposal could alleviate the public by primarily reducing the amount of gang violence, and then teaching the youth to make accountable decisions.  I have read about many people who have tried to pull away from their old gang life and start new, but most of the time you don’t get a second chance.  Imagine what could occur if we don’t stop aggression in our social order.  We could all be petrified to walk outside our residence.

I remember Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It isn’t enough to talk about peace.  One must believe in it.  And it isn’t enough to believe in it.  We must work at it.”  We can’t be situated in one place; we must act to achieve what we planned.  My mother once told me she could walk along the streets without any worry.  Now, when I walk to school, I have to be aware of my surroundings and I have to call her once I get to my destination.  In essence, anything can be accomplished if we set our minds to it, and if I were a police officer for a day, I would dedicate my life to my community as I should.  I must follow the motto, “To protect and serve.”