LAPD Blog

Chief Beck Returns Home for Rampart Division Formal Command Inspection

Chief Beck podcast at Rampart Inspection

December 17, 2009 - During a chilly winter morning Rampart Division had its formalinspection.  The officers appearance was flawless as they stood proudly at attention with their uniforms fleshly pressed, glistening badges, and spit polished boots. Rampart Area Captain Steven Ruiz led Chief Charlie Beck, Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, Commander Blake Chow and Rampart Patrol Captain Raymond Maltez as they inspected the rank and file.  Chief Beck attentively and proudly inspected the officers and particularly praised individual officers for their outstanding appearance.

After the inspection, Chief Beck addressed the officers with a sincere and warm speech, expressing what Rampart Division means to him.  He reminisced about starting his career as a probationary officer in Rampart, then returning years later as a Captain.  Chief Beck spoke about working approximately eight or nine divisions during his 32 years of service with the Department. "Every division is special and unique, every division has great people, but only one division is your home and I have always considered Rampart to be my home,"Chief Beck stated, resulting in cheers from the officers. According to Chief Beck, Rampart is not his home because it was the first division that he worked or because he was a Commanding Officer there, but because "I love the people here."

In closing he thanked everyone in attendance and especially the officers who worked so hard preparing for the inspection. He further stated he considered the Los Angeles Police Department to be a living, breathing organism, "If you accept the premise that the LAPD is a living organism, then I would proffer that I think Rampart is its heart."

Rampart's 350 police personnel provide service to about 185,000 Angelenos, in a compact 5.6 square mile area. Rampart Area serves the communities of Angelino Heights, Echo Park, historic Filipinotown, Lafayette Park, MacArthur Park, Pico Union, and Westlake.

Echo Park, Pico-Union and Westlake Communities Receive New Rampart Police Station

Podcast for grand opening.MP3

The new and improved Rampart Community Police Station was unveiled this morning to a crowd of dignitaries, neighborhood leaders and community members.  The audience cheered on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Ed Reyes, Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Police Chief William Bratton as they cut the ceremonial ribbon, inviting all to come in and tour the new station.  The ceremony presided by Captain John Egan, Rampart Commanding Officer, included a presentation by Council District 1 Councilmember Ed Reyes and the proud announcement of Los Angeles City Engineer Gary Lee Moore that the new state-of-the-art facility had received the prestigious gold-certification by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Commenting on the station's open design and accessibility, Chief Bratton stated, "This station symbolizes the openness of this Department to work with and in the communities it polices."

In March 2002, the voters in Los Angeles passed a $600 million dollar public safety measure to improve, renovate and expand public safety facilities.  The original Rampart Station was established in 1966 and was located at 2710 West Temple Street.  The Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division serves communities to the west and northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, including Echo Park, Pico-Union and Westlake.  Its name is derived from Rampart Boulevard, one of the principal thoroughfares in its patrol area.  Rampart's 380 police personnel provide service to about 375,000 inhabitants in a compact eight-square-mile area.