Chief William J. Bratton's Welcome Message

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the LAPD Blog.  Our online journal is an interactive tool that we use to deliver real-time, unfiltered information.  We invite you to take a look inside the Department to learn more about the men and women in blue who have sworn to protect and to serve you.

By using this Blog, the LAPD hopes to maintain an open dialogue with the communities we serve and those who have an interest in the men and women of this organization.  We encourage you to express your opinions about current events through respectful and insightful discussion.  We reserve the right to refuse to post those comments that contain inappropriate language and/or material.  In the near future, we intend to expand our Blogging capabilities to all 19 Area Stations.

The continuing decline in crime in Los Angeles has positioned the LAPD at the tipping point for change.  Our influence can positively affect the communities we serve and vastly improve levels of public satisfaction.  But it is not enough for the LAPD to just continue to drive down crime.  Through compassionate and constitutional community policing practices, we want to enhance the relationship between the Los Angeles residents and police.

Our ultimate goal is for the role of law enforcement officials to evolve from distance protectors and rapid responders to true partners and conduits for meaningful social change.

Thank you for your support of the Los Angeles Police Department. Please visit our Blog again or visit www.lapdonline.org.

Comments

[Eric Garcetti]

Chief Bratton:

Welcome aboard--it's good to have you in the blogosphere. Thanks for being a great part of moving our city government closer to our constituents.

[Don Garza]

Yeah... it is good to see that the LAPD has finally made it into the information age.

I look forward to the information I will be able to receive here and also be able hoppefully better understand the LAPD.

They used to be so scary to me. I still have respect for them as law enforcement , but I am not as extremely fearful of them as I was when I first arrived in Los Angeles back in 1999.

Now you will be able to hear from us directly especially when we are treated unfairly and even fairly on a personal level

Don Garza
Downtown Los Angeles TOwn crier

and Citizen of Central City East

I have a blog , but am starting my new web magazine soon and the blog will be phased out soon .

[Paul Huebl]

There is a biohazard in Venice that’s also a police problem. I covered this on my own blog with video.

[Brian Humphrey]

To Chief Bratton and all members of the Los Angeles Police Department, congratulations. This blog makes a wonderful addition to your already rich on-line content.

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

[Joe Brady]

I was reading about the new L.A.P.D blog in the LA times this morning at breakfast. I think it's a terrific idea and can be a useful tool to communicate with members of the public who have questons regarding department policy or other concerns. One of the concerns that I have is giving driver's license's to illegal immigrants.As someone who drives professionaly for a living, and has been rear-ended on at least 3 occasion, my concern is that they have liability insurance. The problem as I see it, is there isn't a database for law enforcement to check and see whether a driver's insurance is being maintained. What a lot of people will do, when they need to register there vehicle with DMV,and prove that they have liabilty insurance, is make the first payment, and afterwards quit maintaining there insurance, but they keep the insurance card, in case they get stopped by the police. This results in higher insurance premiuns for all drivers, who are licensed and insured. If possible could someone from LAPD,respond to my concern about this issue.

[:: jozjozjoz ::]

Thanks for being a taking step closer to the residents of our fine city.

[Jacob Levy]

Chief Bratton

Hats off to you for reaching out like this on a blog to your citizens. AWESOME.

One addition would be an anonymous way to submit comments directly to you. You might get some citizen to step up and help to solve crimes or report problems.

Good luck with the work you're doing.

[John Brooks]

Cheif Bratton ,

The best thing about your blog
is you can post it while at
an airport. That way no one will know you are out of town! :)

[Elliott Back]

Welcome to the blogosphere! This is groundbreaking!

[Anne]

It's great that LAPD has a blog! I think it's a great way to bring the community and the police closer together.

[Mark Ojeda]

I'm happy to see LAPD join the 21st century.

[benito castro]

From Spain (Europe) To see the police blogging is terrific. I don´t know whem we can live that experience here.

Congratulations.

[marc db levin]

Chief,
Welcome to the blogsphere. This is a great venue and we all applaud your willingness to welcome comments. One suggestion... why moderate? True blogs lay it out there. If someone violates your t&C;'s you can yank the offending post. Don't be afraid! :)

[Don Garza]

Good job on the site I can see folks are already chiming in.

Skid row still needs a lot of help!!!

I am quite disapointed at the way some of the social serveces think that keeping the drug dealers free to do what they want in my neighborhood is ok.

Please help us!!!!

What are you going to do to get these people off of the streets?

[Anne]

Great blog, great idea to bring the LAPD and the communities they serve closer together.

[anne]

Did everyone know that the LA City and County Fire Depts. are having open house and pancake breakfasts tomorrow, on Saturday? It's a great way to meet the firefighters in our local communities. I think the LAPD has 'community nights.' Maybe someone can post more about that.

[Samantha Sang]

Hello LAPD,
Greetings from somewhere not in America ! I know about your force mostly from movies. Now I could get to know you more. The blog reflects your transparency which is a good thing. I shall make my comments for any relevant issues. Best wishes.

[ALEX]

WHAT DOES BLOG STAND FOR?

[Mike Tariq]

Great idea. Hats off !

[Kathi]

Why did Chief Bratton lie on channel 5 news saying murder was down in LA and then an hour later on cable saying was up in LA?

I wait in anticaption for your response.Thank you.

[Ali M. Al-Nasser]

Greetings to Chief Bratton and the LAPD--

Way to go. I am glad to see LAPD join the 21st century. Best of luck.

[Peg Manning]

Thanks for undertaking direct contact with taxpayers.
Here's my question: why do I have to call LAPD every day to report the same violation of the law when the police squad car routinely passes by (not on call) and observes the same activity I do? Specifically, illegal fruit vendors, at Manning and Queensbury/Earlmar. It's illegal, and it's really dangerous due to traffic on Manning. So why can't it be made a "complaint only" situation?

["Jackie" Dupont-Walker]

This is a great tool with which to coomunicate. Thanks!

When homeless persons set up encampments in neighborhoods and create both criminal and unhealthy environments, there needs to be some combined effort to help them and the neighbors. Is a Homeless Strike Force possible to provide information, advice and support to such an entity if one neighborhood wants to be a trailblazer?

[insider]

Welcome to the blogosphere. Open communication certainly has it's drawbacks but it almost alwasys beats the alternative.

[Dan]

STOP RACIAL PROFILING BEING BALD IS NOT A CRIME.

[killired]

welcome to blogging! it's fun and addictive! hopefully you don't get much of a backlash from the general public. it's pretty amazing to see a dept as huge as yours having a blog! good luck with it and as always, be safe!

[LA City Nerd]

I'm eager to read what's going on in the 19 divisions, plus the traffic & other specilized divisions. This is going to be a great link between the Department and the citizenry. First, the SLOs were reinstated; now, a blog; next, we're going to be in compliance with the Consent Decree and have it lifted. I like the direction that LAPD is headed. Here's to your future online!

[markus]

hello, LAPD

I think your online blog is a great idea of communicating with the residents of LA.
I stil hope that your example will come to my country, Germany, as well to get more informed about police work.
best regards

[Peter Swearingen]

{Skid row still needs a lot of help!!!

I am quite disapointed at the way some of the social serveces think that keeping the drug dealers free to do what they want in my neighborhood is ok.}

The City Councel seems to like it the way it is; Zoned for poverty, substance abuse, and helplessness. They have proven this with the recent moratorium on building developement of old rundown hotels in the downtown area.

[Monica]

Congratulations Chief! Great having a place residents can post comments on issues. I look forward to reading what people are thinking around the city from this blog.

[Ed]

The changing face of the LAPD

What a Joke of an article! Hire the best person period! Man, Woman, Black, White, Asian, Hispanic it does not matter. Just the BEST, most qualified "person" for the job, and you will reap what you sow. Rafeal Perez was a product of Chief Parks "Diversity Plan." You have great people on LAPD, but for the most part hiring the best person for the job is what you are not doing. You are discriminating against male whites on a regular basis, just ask the "Service Minded Military men" that you turn away every year! Good job. I guess we don't count. And I am sorry, do you really think that someone who has even tried heroin should carry a gun?????? But God forbid you have a tattoo, not depicting gang life! I personally do not have any tattoos, but I have no problem seeing a Police Officer with non-gang style tattoos. However I have a huge problem giving someone who has dabbled in Heroin, PCP or rock cocaine a gun, and ask them to deal with drugs on a daily basis!

Next issue: Stop being a coward when it comes to backing our Police Officers. You should take a page out of the Chicago Police Chiefs book. The day after an Officer was involved in a shooting with an armed suspect, the preliminary investigation revealed that the Officers actions appeared to be justified. The Chief then stated so at a live press conference. You and our coward of a mayor leave to much unsaid, which creates an unsafe environment for the good people of Los Angeles. Sometimes you have to call it like it is, and remember that the Officer involved deserves your backing. And you as the Chief owe it to him and the people of Los Angelews. You came sprinting out of the gates when you first took over, but WOW have you turned into a complete coward with the "community activists" dictating how you, cough, cough, lead. You are NEVER going to make this great city safer by sticking your wet finger in the air to see which way the Political winds are blowing. And because the public does not see how jacked up you are running things, only means your running on borrowed time. Also you have to many YES MEN around you telling you what you want to hear. Step out of your Office for a 12 hour shift and go down to Newton, 77th, southeast or Rampart and get in a Patrol car with an aggressive P-2 so you can see what it's like being a street cop in today's world. And don't get in the car with a slug who is going to kiss your butt. Stop being such a pansy and let your Officers do their jobs. And the consent decree has to go, irt does NOTHING but suck millions of dollars from the city. We need the money for other things far more relevant.
And to all the real Police Officerrs out there. Saty Safe!

[Chris]

As a consultant in corporate blogging, the most common question I get from corporate types about why they should blog is along the lines of, "How could we possibly be that open?"

Thank you for blogging. Now I can tell them, "Hey, if the LAPD can be blogging and not worried about it, so can you."

I applaud your openness.

[jessica]

Dear Chief Bratton; First, you're doing a far better job than the former chief. Second; as a long time resident of the valley, I have noticed that "tagging" has become increasingly visable...Why did the department get rid of the anti-tagging unit??? We need all the help we can get with this...thanks

[Lastango]

It will be interesting to watch your blog take shape.

Please note that the blogosphere has little patience for gloss and salesmanship. For instance, you mention your blog will offer "unfiltered information."

Bloggers have been covering government for a long time, and know the chances that will happen are zero. Your organization is a large bureaucracy within a political environment, and if the LAPD honestly discusses its problems and setbacks on the blog –- or anywhere else –- without the LAPD’s representative being administratively punished and eventually fired I’ll be stunned.

That's not unique to the LAPD -- every other large organization does the same.

If this is just a PR vehicle and communications outlet in blog format, it's not really a blog, just part of a regular corporate-style website people can post remarks to.

If it is a blog, you needn't bother saying "Thank you for your support of the Los Angeles Police Department" -- because supporting isn't what blog commenters do.

Expect visitors to agree when you're right and delivering good results with acceptable speed, and rip into the issues when you're wrong or not succeeding. Your tolerance for that will reveal your intentions. So will the choice of topics. if there are no posts about the challenges and frictions of managing a huge, complex entity like the LAPD and policing in a major metro area, this won't be an interesting site to visit. I doubt people will come here often to learn the LAPD is made up of great people delivering top-quality law enforcement services in pursuit of noble goals.

[Laura]

Chief Bratton, I think you rock!

My husband is an officer of the finest police force in America. We're proud to call you Chief!

[ab]

Chief Bratton,
just wanted to say thanks for the great work LAPD does in spite of news media which is bent on vilifying the law man and victifying the criminal. Please stay tough on crime, the community supports you.

[C. Aguilar]

Congratulations on the blog. Great idea.
I also want to congratulate you on the recent editorial in the L.A. Times.
I am a second generation Angeleno and have lived in Los Angeles for 49 years. I have seen my share of "activity" in L.A. and have watched Police Chiefs come and go. This is the 1st time I have witnessed a Chief of Police actually make good on his word.
The LAPD suffered a major setback with the Rampart scandal. Perhaps I was naive, but I have to admit I was ashamed of the police. I wondered how or if they would ever recover.
However, as with most things, time helped them to heal. Along with appointing a Chief that has intelligence, compassion and integrity.
Citizens of Los Angeles should be proud of the job Chief Bratton has done and support their police department.
Signed,
A proud citizen

[C. Aguilar]

Congratulations on the blog! Great idea.
Also, congratulations of your recent editiorial in the L.A. Times.
I am a second generation Angeleno and I have lived in Los Angeles for 49 years. I have seen my share of "activities" in Los Angeles, and I've watched Police Chiefs come and go. However, this is the first time I have witnessed a Chief of Police that makes good on his word.
The LAPD suffered a terrible setback with the Rampart Scandal. Perhaps I am naive, but I have to admit I was shocked and ashamed. I wondered how the police would ever recover.
As with most things, time helped them to heal. That, and appointing a Chief of Police that has intelliegence, compassion and integrity.
The citizens of Los Angeles ought to be proud of the job Chief Bratton has done and support their police department.
Reaching out to the people is not a dipslay of weakness, but rather an intelligent move. It shows you are not afraid to listen. It gains support.
Good job!
Signed, a proud citizen.

[Donny Edwards]

Chief Bratton,
Great job on the police blog. You were always ahead of the curve. Wish you were still leading the NYPD. Ret NYPD SH#644

[The Senate Site]

Welcome to the blog world. Best of luck with your new site.

[Shooter]

marc db levin said, "...Skid row still needs a lot of help!...what are you going to do to get these people off of the streets?"

You are posting to the wrong blog. The police have tried over and over to enforce laws and protect the public but have been thwarted at nearly every effort. I suggest you contact the ACLU and ask them to allow the police to do their job.

[Phil Renaud]

Hey, great work getting a blog online - more police departments need commitment on the web to reflect their commitments to the community, and this is a major stepping stone towards that goal.

[gloria]

crime is not down but up in los angeles due mainly to the nomad stalkers. the nomad stalkers are in your officers faces eveyday and the lapd is clueless. 99.9% of the crime commited is by the nomad stalkers. wake up and really stop crime. need help contact me directly. i will know you are serious if i see this post on the lapd blog

[pete mitchell]

Chief Bratton,
Welcome to the world of web blogging . Thank you for your effort to better comunicate with the community. So often we hear all of the BAD about LAPD. Im ready to hear what good things LAPD does in our community.
sincerely,

Pete Mitchell, L.A.

[pete mitchell]

Chief Bratton,
Welcome to the world of web blogging . Thank you for your effort to better comunicate with the community. So often we hear all of the BAD about LAPD. Im ready to hear what good things LAPD does in our community.
sincerely,

Pete Mitchell, L.A.

[Nick K. Chaleunphone, Firefighter/EMT-Basic]

To Chief Bratton,
You guys got a nice blog. Some suggestions, maybe some pictures, and videos. LAPD, being the second largest to NYPD, you guys could use a major image and reputation make over. Also, heres a suggestion, Clean house from top to bottom. The same way our govoner did. Gov Rell of CT Cleaned house and purged all those that were associated to bad reputation, corpution and bringing down the State of CT.

A web blog like this is one of the ways you guys are fighting BAD reputation and BAD public relations. Keep it up and maybe a few years, LAPD will be as great as the good old days of ADAM 12

From New England,

Nick K. Chaleunphone, Firefighter/EMT-Basic
Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept
Kensington, CT

[z]

Im sorry to say citzens of Los Angeles. The Chief will not respond to your questions. A LT. who is his assistant may respond and will give you the same old company policy. They probably wont post this and if they do then I will be suprised. LAPD has good officers but they are being held back by LA politics and the upper management including Chief Bratton. You are better then Parks Ill give him that but what has really change......ask your self that as you think how many black and whites do i really see throught my day as I drive around the city of Los Angeles!!!!

[STE[HEN BERNSTEIN]

Chief Bratton ,
I just want to say you and your police force are doing a great job in the City.The city
of North Hollywood is also 110% better.I would also like you to know the Los Angeles Police Port Authority did a great job yesterday at Port of Call in San Pedro.Again great job!!!

[the daily phosdex]

First off, learned about this blog via the Yahoo! Daily Wire, in case you may be taking a survey as to how people may be learning about this.

As well, Sgt. Joe Friday (badge 714) would probably be proud of this endeavour, just as much as his alter ego, Jack Webb, was proud of his radio (and later TV) creation "Dragnet," which served to demonstrate the tireless work of the LAPD in action.

How many others are likely to follow your lead is anybody's guess.

[kingmanor]

You dont need me to make another comment that this is a great idea. All i'm asking for Mr. Bratton is that you tell your old friends at the NYPD to do the same thing for us over on the east coast! Every police department, whether a city-wide police force, or just a single sherrif in a small town, can and should do this.

[harry]

@gloria -

what in the world are "nomad stalkers"? I just googled that term and got zero results. If something has never ever been mentioned on the web before, it seems unlikely it is an actualt thing.

Can you explain?

[Kurt - Hamburg]

Even in Old-Germany we have rekognized the start of your blogging.

- Welcome in the Blogosphere -

Sincerely, Kurt

[Mark Kahn]

Chief Bratton,

Congratulation on your blog. I am a former Los Angeles resident, who has enjoyed following the LAFD on their block since it's inception. I am glad to be able to follow the LAPD also.

I have never lost faith in your organization, or any police organization, and I commend you and your officers for the great job they do.

Thank you,

Mark,
Portland, OR

[Iverson Officer]

nice site :)

[LA Booster]

Chief Bratton,

When will LAPD start issuing CCW permits like almost every other big city in the US? Forty states in the US have gone shall-issue on CCWs. Shall-issue CCW has worked fine in big cities like Houston, Miami and Detroit and it will work fine in LA. It's time to end LA's practice of only issuing to VIPs.

[chris johnson]

I am so glad I moved out of CA.
Here in NV I can buy any gun I want.
I can carry my guns in my car and on my person.

Cops can not be everywhere at once and the criminals in CA know they have a huge supply of victims.

So good luck with your cesspool of crime, disease and victimhood.

[Human Being]

Hello,

Me and my brother were pulled over by an LAPD officer in the UCLA vacinity for a traffic stop. The officer did not give us any kind of a ticket. I have no way of knowing if it a real Cop or otherwise. In any event do your thing.

As I recall the SJPD gave us a ticket for flicking cigerette smoke out the window and then we went through the legal process. You know the rest.

Anonymous

[C Aguilar]

My comment is to "Ed" : regarding the LAPD turning away "Service Minded MilItary Men"...you mean "Men & Women" right? And while I've never been a cop, I know enough to say that being in the military doesn't automatically qualify you for a job in the LAPD.
Yes, having that experience can be useful but it shouldn't be the driving force when hiring. This I suspect is why some of those veterans are turned away. Do you have any facts or numbers to back your statement? Just curious.

[E. Juarez]

I am so glad to see LAPD reaching out to the community via the internet. I hope your site is accessable to the lausd kids as well. If not, I hope you find a way to reach the kids in our community. I think if your blog becomes known to teenagers as well, they will better understand the police officers and will be more free to communicate their concerns with the drugs and gang violence going on in their communities. Thank you, for keeping us informed.

[Matt Payne]

Chief, will you and the Mayor be addressng the fact that in the very near future, the Department will be loosing a lot of people with the drop program and not enough people are being hired to fill the holes. Raising trash collection fees to hire more officers won't fix the problem when those applicants still have to be signed off by the incompetents who are in place now. It's not the lack of good applicants, it's what happens to them once they get into the funnel of the hiring process...

[Frank Mayne]

Yes the 'blogosphere' welcomes you with open arms and warm hearts because we just can't wait to hear all about tales of bravery and heroic feats by your fine men (and women!) in uniform.

This is no real blog, it's in fact just a different format for the 'news' section on the original site. No doubt this blog is written by a lackey, most likely a sergeant, who is not entitled to his own views on the department and on current affairs. This blog has feedback from far and wide and yet there is no response to any reproaches or commendations made by the public. Obviously your blog is truly ground-breaking because at least ten people have said so, which makes it true.Perhaps you should contemplate channeling your efforts into more meaningful reforms - you have already failed to meet to Federal deadline Chief Bratton. You've repeatedly stated the need to improve the treatment of racial minorities during traffic stops, maybe you should revert to the chokeholds that made the LAPD so infamous back in the good ol' days.

[Anne]

I think Al Gore had the right idea during his Saturday Night Live skit, when he lamented about turning California over to Mexico. "I personally regret the loss of California. However, the new Mexifornian economy is strong and El Presidente Schwarzenegger is doing a great job."

[mary d.]

Hey Chief...you're the man! I am praying that this blog site will help create a small-town feeling in this vast metropolis. The LAPD has had a 'bad rap' for a long time. I remember Joe Friday once said that the reason there are a few bad cops is because you have to recruit from the human race.

[Bob Aquino]

Congratulations on the new blog.

I know I'm not the only one that feels this way, but I applaud the efforts of the sworn officers of this city. You truly are the thin blue line that stands between citizens like me and the savagery of the illegal underworld. Your bravery and selfless devotion to this underappreciated vocation are appreciated by far more people than you know.

[mary d]

Keep up the good work Chief!

[Shop Right]

We need to get rid of the nonsensical Special Order 40 ASAP!

[Valley Mike]

Hey Chief, great blog.

I wanted to draw you attention the that area north of town, where all of that new trash fee money will come from.

It's called the San Fernando Valley, and I know it will be a shock to you, but it is part of the city of Los Angeles! You really should come visit. And by the way, maybe you could send one or two of your officers out here once in a while?

Crime in the Valley in no lower than the rest of the city, so why are there fewer cops here than in the rest of the city.

[some1]

I agree with the other commenter that was complainging about CCW's. I don't live in the state of CA currently, and based on the way the CCW is so heavily restricted in CA, I probably never will.

People that go through the trouble of filling out all the forms, submitting to a background check, and taking weapons training courses are not the people you need to worry about carrying weapons. These are the people that you want armed, because an armed citizenry is a criminal deterrant.

The way it is now in CA, it seems that only the criminals have guns, since as we all know, criminals don't really care about the laws.

Stop making victims out of your citizens and start trusting them again!!!

[anonymous]

I am saddened by all the poor grammar exhibited by those posting comments.

[Anne]

Unfortunately, the SF Valley has always been the ugly stepchild of Los Angeles. Ironically, we pay most of the city's bills through higher property taxes, and our water usage is taxed differently. That was one of the issues a few years ago when we wanted to secede from the rest of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, they let everyone in Los Angeles vote on it, instead of the people who it would affect, those of us who live in the Valley. So the issue of fewer police officers and less city services has always been with us. The rest of LA gets the lion's share of it all. Another irony is that 'the Valley' is often viewed as some rich white enclave. That hasn't been the demographic out here for a very long time. There's more of an ethnic mix in the Valley than anywhere else in Los Angeles.

[david@gbgllc.net]

Dear Chief, I was re-directed to you from ABC7's web site. I think it's a great idea that LAPD has a blog where LA can speak to you freely and share concerns live. I am in OC but have clients is LA too. Good luck

[Danny]

As a native of Los Angeles I am so very suprised each time I come home for a vist. The city has cleaned up so much and everyone is shifting to a more community based mantra, shunning the widespread stereotype that LA is a disconnected grid of smog. I praise LAPD for making an honest attempt to connect with the people it serves and protects. It's pretty darn cool!

[Robert]

I congratulate the LAPD on making this bold move into the information age. I think this new concept will make the public that are being protected by the LAPD more accepting. With this being said, this gives the public a way to vent any issues and let others know what they think without backlash. i thin this is a bold move and I think it will be test of the nature of the "net"

[Coyote Osborne]

While I am delighted to see that the LAPD has stepped up to the plate and joined the blogosphere, my initial impression is that it is more like a police blotter/announcement sheet where people can leave comments, than an actual blog where people's comments are responded to.

Now, I suspect that it would be rather difficult to set aside the time and personell to respond to every, or even most comments or questions, and that there are other demands on LAPD's resources.

However, I am concerned that this could be a simple PR "Spin" sheet that doesn't actually address concerns raised by people posting on it. I don't know that it's realistic to expect that it will or even can.

While it is great that so many people are responding, I'm not seeing what I'd consider discussion or responsiveness.

[Thomas Moore]

It's good to see a Feedback Forum, Although for to many this will be nothing more than a "Steam Outlet" To vent whatever happen's to be bothering them at the moment.In My Opinion,Police of any Department take way to much heat. It is the Usual "Why Didn't you?/Why Did you?" type of Critic That serve's no purpose Whatsoever.I just hope people That Choose to use this type of "Sounding Board" are willing to be part of the Solution Rather than part of the Problem. We have enough of those Already!

[Jeff]

Chief, Overall I feel that you are doing a good job despite all of the constraints that you have to work within. Nevertheless, the Consent Decree is something that is holding the LAPD back from returning to excellence! The LAPD is in need of qualified applicants for the position of police officer yet the Personnel Dept is DQ'ing many of them for the most miniscule of reasons while others who "fulfill" the Consent Decree requirements and have similar and even more serious background issues (ie. past gang involvement, criminal records, drug use, etc) are overlooked and allowed to gain employment.

Case in point, a white male lateral entry applicant with 14+ years of police officer experience, first 8 yrs with a large metropolitan PD, currently with a So Ca mid-size PD, experienced in patrol, combined federal/local violent criminal offender task force, narcotics, field training officer, traffic-motors, successful at both depts, recently promoted supervisor, former Marine, A.S. Crim Justice degree, Advance POST certificate, stellar evaluations, a stack of commendations 3 inches thick and would like to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming an LAPD officer, not for the sake of being a police officer that the applicant already is, but to be a member of the organization ( I know, that's a rarity amongst today's applicants). The only flaw on the applicant's record is administered discipline four yrs ago for one incident of being "tardy". The Personnel Dept's decision in the background process; disqualified.

I realize that the LAPD depends on the federal funding that is given with the adherence to the Consent Decree requirements and that the hiring in governed by the City's Personnel Dept. The Personnel Dept also insists that qualified applicants are being hired. But with the presence of the Consent Decree, the LAPD is not getting the "most qualified" applicants hence many of the internal problems that the LAPD is routinely faced with exist. Police departments that are not restrained by the requirements of the Consent Decree are free from having to deal with all of the problems and contreversy that the LAPD is faced with every week while they are still extremely effective and successful in the policing and reduction of crime within their respective jurisdictions.

With these hiring practices being revealed (and hopefully they will be on this blog site) to the public, I'm curious as to what their response would be knowing that they are not getting the most bang for their buck.

[Daniel Dunn]

I look forward to seeing how this blog evolves. It is always a good idea to communicate with the public. I also want to add that I think Chief Bratton is doing a fantastic job as chief and appreciate his straightforward manner in his public appearances when discussing issues and crime. Welcome to Los Angeles.

Now, you need to do something about the bicyclists downtown riding bicycles on the sidewalks. It is out of control. Enforce the bicycle laws. As a cyclist, it makes it safer for all if everyone complies with the rules of the road.

[victor flaherty]

i believe that this is a great addition to community relations

[Bob]

I live in West LA, inthe same house for 18 years now, where my sons grew up and where I continue to live.

My middle son--grad of an eastern university, focused on his career--commented to me a couple of days ago that rather than thnking that police and the LAPD in particular are here to help, they are frightening and reactionary. Although he has no tickets, he said he tenses up every time a police car gets near him.

Part of this has to do with how officers apparently have been educated to interact with the public--seldom smiles, almost always apprension. Some of it has to do with the extravagant way in which some traffic laws have been designed to net anyone at any time.

Case in point: 3 seconds at a stop sign for a full stop--No one can comply with this without incurring extreme delay creating traffic mayhem. Or the unnatural stop sign traffic regulation on Manning north of National and on Motor to "slow" traffic down--excessive stop signs that many locals ignore because they so impede traffic flow. Even speed cameras would be a better fix. To the degree the LAPD enforces such things, officers lose the respect of many locals--they do not gain respect and support.

Good luck on improving pathways for communication and receiving responsible feedback that may improve the LAPD image.

--Bob J

[renee lee greco]

Hello Chief Bratton,

Excellent blog!!

As a webmaster for a national police memorial, I would like to know if you will be allowing (respectful) comments from your own men and women who serve, concerning different issues, questions, ongoing problems, etc. as an avenue of keeping open communication between you and your people. Things that can be discussed publically in this forum.

thanx

[Rhonda]

Hello, I have always been curious, as to why police officers never or rarely have traffic tickets on their records,
All the officers that I know, say it's because they get professional courtesy from other officers. If this is true it should be stopped

[Wyatt Walton]

I have followed Chief Bratton's carrer. He helped Mayor Giuliani clean up New York. Chief Bratton, along with the men and women of the LAPD, is implementing new tactics and community involvement that will help lead to a better city for all of us to live in.

[parkerlewis]

I remember a time when then-Chief Edward M. Davis required then-Detective Joseph Wambaugh, and others, to submit their book manuscripts to the department for approval before they could be published. We have come a long way, baby.

Congratulations, Chief Bratton.

[Don Schimpff]

Dear Chief. I don't live in LA but LA's effects are felt here in Redding. It would help a great deal if you would rescind Special Order 40 which was issued in 1979. It hinders the control of our country's ILLEGAL INVADERS.

[Anne]

I believe that Special Order 40 is under control of the City Council. None of them give a damn about the legal citizens of Los Angeles.

[Anne]

And how can we expect the LAPD officers to give us their best when they are constantly being investigated for things that aren't their fault? A drunk woman hits her head and she has a cut on her forehead, and now the officers are being investigated? If I heard the story correctly, she took a swing at an officer when they were trying to arrest her, and then she stumbled and scratched her forehead on a fence post. Chief Bratton, you need to let the police officers do their jobs without living in fear that every move they make is going to be Monday-morning quarterbacked.

[Leshon Washington]

Hi Chief,
I totally agree with Anne... I heard something about this story on the radio. You are raising trash fees to hire more cops, but couldn't we have more cops on the streets if they weren't always defending themselves for minor things like some drunk woman’s cuts. If the officer was defending himself than and there wasn't any malice than case closed, anyone could see this. Support your men and give them the tools to do the job!!!! The Job of protecting us, not worrying about what stupid thing they will be investigated for next... Let’s make this city and its police force great again......

[Robert]

"Hello, I have always been curious, as to why police officers never or rarely have traffic tickets on their records,
All the officers that I know, say it's because they get professional courtesy from other officers. If this is true it should be stopped"

I would like to know how you find out what Officers driving records are? Are you illegaly checking their DMV records? I know plenty of Officers with tickets, me being one of them. I have never asked for a break of any type. I rarely have gotten pulled over. If I speed, I expect to get pulled over and pay my fine or go to traffic school. But I bet you don't have to worry about getting reprucusions at work from getting a ticket while not at work do you (unless you are a commercial vehicle driver).

[Debra Flowers]

I live in Los Angeles county and I am begging for the Cheif of police to rescind Special Order 40. I don't believe that it is in any way helping the city. Are illegal alliens really afraid to report crime or testify against criminals because of fear of being deported. I don't think so!
What you are doing is giving illegal criminals a pass. How many of LA's most wanted are illegals. How much of our jails are popullated by illegal alliens of hispanic desent our not. Why are we paying to house, cloth and feed people who have commited crimes in our country! And then release them back into the popullation. How fair is that!I feel we need to deport any and all criminals to their nation of origent but first we must identify them. CAN YOU HELP US IDENTIFY THEM.

[curtis]

hey chief ...much respect but i read the "we have changed " its just not true most officers do not embrace the ideaology , they joined LAPD to do what other police departments are scared to do AND THATS TO KICK A@# AND MAYBE TAKE NAMES LATER

[guy]

Shame on you and the LAPD for the handling of the Mark Sanchez situation. It smacks of a Hollywood sized publicity grab.

While I know it will never come, you should issue a VERY public apology to Mr. Sanchez, his family, and the USC community for your department's shameful behavior.

you are a disgrace to law enforcement officers everywhere.

[John Raymond]

Way to jump the gun on the Mark Sanchez arrest. Nothing like using a swat team and homicide to arrest and investigate a high profile football player. Your department has always been a joke and will continue to be a joke as long as you allow this type of cowboy stuff to exist.

Clean up your act or your stay will short..

[TS LOOP]

Congratulations on the blog. Great Idea. It beats sending emails to the Lapd and never getting a response.

I have no doubts about the caliber of this Chief and effectiveness of some of his efforts. What increasingly disturbs me in the last 3 years of my 30 years in LA is increasing evidence of what I would call "HEAVY HANDED POLICING" and a questionable respect for the 4th amendment. I want a safe city, however I don't want to live in a "police state" - "total policing" is not consist with a free and democratic society. I feel a lost of personal freedom when I watch some of the policing techniques in downtown LA and what looks like random harassment of citizens using our public parks. Remember Chief Bratton: "A little crime may be the price of freedom."

[Piter Her]

Thanks! Nice site and good PR! =)

[buy phentermine online]

Thanks! Nice site and good PR! =)

[A.B.]

Chief Bratton,

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to the LAPD...it's about time that there was someone that wasn't scared of calling things as they see it. It's also nice to hear that you like police officers, unlike the one before you(Parks). Anyways, I have heard a lot of good things have happened since your inception to the department. For the officers that you have working for you, make sure that they get the same treatment as the higher up get,something like Lt. Mckeon got. That would be a refreshing twist. Good luck on your new position and I wish you the best of luck.

30815

[LT Anita Fan]

LT McKeon is one of the best cops around. She has a heart of gold and is also very easy on the eyes.

It seems that her skills aren't being used to her potential.

Chief, give her a unit or a command to run!

[Free speach goes both ways]

In response to TS LOOP's comment, "Remember Chief Bratton: A little crime may be the price of freedom."

Freedom to what? One man's freedom is anothere man's prison. I guess you haven't been shot at lately...Ask all of the good people who live in LA if they feel free to walk down the street or let their children play in their own front yards without getting shot at. Doesn't sound like freedom to me, sounds more like a prison, and gangsters are guarding the gate. Apparently our liberal lawmakers want lunatics running the asylum, and I'm not referring to the police.

[Officer and a Citizen]

Thank you Chief Bratton for allowing this Blog to get off to a running start. As a Department employee and a citizen, I am very bothered by some of the comments that have been submitted by persons claiming to be members of the Department. I truly believe in the First Amendment and the right to free speech. However, I am very concerned that those who might be from within this organization have such views. No I don’t mean the petty work related gripes or the misconceptions about you or your predecessor’s leadership. I mean the comments pertaining to the loss of human life and insensitivity towards that person’s family (50 Year-old Gang Member Killed) who just so happens to be an LAPD officer. We all know that we have very little control over who becomes our family and therefore, those we have great affection for might be directly affected by the actions of someone who actually happens to be a relative. I dare that supposed officer to bet his paycheck that he has a pristine family life. Otherwise, he should keep quiet. As for the community Chief, I believe that you need to do an awful lot to make sure that the public hears from you regarding the postings on the Blog. I can’t begin to tell you how many people are looking to use this site as a means of overshadowing the fine service provided by the majority of this Department’s members. Please let them know that these Nomads and mavericks running their pie holes foolishly don’t speak for us all!

[Raj Chanani]

I have dealt with various government etities a number of times and have geneally found the process to be fair. Including the LAPD, SJPD, Sacramento Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Torrance Police Department, Redondo Police Department, Bihar Police Department and other.

I must say the experiences with the Sheriff's department has generally been very pleasent.

[Anne Albright]

How can I contact Chief Bratton on a subject of a personal nature?

Is there an address where I can contact him privately?

Thank you.

[Lew]

Anne,
Try addressing your letter to Bratton to 150 North Los Angeles Street, LA 90013, and mark it "Personal." It will probably be screened by his secretary anyway, but that person should then give it to the Chief.

Good luck with your concerns.

[castillo]

I commend you for providing a LAPD blog to allow people to allow to respond to police issues.

But I still do not understand while I do not see more police walking a beat and getting to know the people in the neighborhood they patrol. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas where the police walked in the neighborhood and knew the people who they served. The police in LA need to get out of their cars and know the people they serve.

[Remlee Dela Cruz]

Gud am Chief Bratton,

I am Remlee Dela Cruz,35 years of age and just arrived here in the USA last Dec. 3, 2006 from the Philippines as an immigrant. I am very interested to join your organization because back in my country, I was a Police Officer assigned with the Quezon City Police District. I was with the Anti-Terrorist Unit,Like the EOD and the Swat team. I had 12 years of experience in the police service. I was one of the lucky person back in the Philippines last 2002 to underwent a foreign schooling at the Louisiana State Police Academy for the Crisis Response Team for six weeks and 2004 for the Anti-terrorist diver's consultation Course at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippines for ten days of which all of my instructors are former US Navy seals who were working with A-T Solutions, Inc.,not to mention some of my other police trainings.
I am inquiring sir because my heart is really with the police service. I just received my Greencard and SSN last Dec.13. Is there a chance for me sir to join your elite unit even though I am not yet a US citizen and almost turning 36 this coming January 2007? Thanks a lot sir.....and God bless you!

Sincerely yours,

Rem

[MyCousin]

Remlee,

Take my advice and take a few English lit. classes. Your verbage is very poor and you'll probably not pass the essay and/or oral portion of the test.

You definitely have the skills, but not the ones required in the verbal arena.

Good luck.

PS: Don't get stuck on one dept; shotgun your application to several PD's. LAPD isn't the be all-end all (as evidenced here by Chief Berkow's indescretions).

[Anonmyous]

Hello,

It is my understanding that police officers are carrying out the wishes of the people of the city.

7 out of 10 cops are generally good and doing their job.
2 out of 10 cops tend to exceed expectations.
1 out of 10 cops are...

Anonmyous

BADGE HEAVY OFFICERS NEED TO BE ID'D

While there is plenty of room on both sides of the recent McArthur park issue there is one continuing issue that needs to be resolved.

All police personnel, sworn and un-sworn need to have their names prominently displayed on a visible portion of their uniform or gear at all times.

In the case at hand, I predict that some fault will fall at the foot of the LAPD, not all of it, but enough to cause concern for the people of L.A. However, because, the officers involved are allowed to hide behind unnamed riot gear and shields and helmets, they will not be identified and will thus be allowed to continue on with their badge heavy activities.

Our military is required to show their name on their uniforms and gear while fighting to protect our way of life…Our police department should do no less.

The police commission needs to investigate this loophole as soon as possible.

And you, Chief Bratton, need to implement better training for the line officers to avoid this type of situation.

[Eric J]

When I arrived here four years ago I already knew LAPD's horrible reputation for brutality. Since then, I have since witnessed no fewer than 5 instances of police brutality and have no respect for the force or for Chief Bratton. You are a force to be feared and resisted and the citizens of Los Angeles are tired of being beaten down. All these glowing posts are BS, you're enemies of the people.

[Proud Wife of A Deputy Sheriff Darlene Foley]

Dear Chief Bratton, Every day officers put their lives on the line, kiss their wives and children goodbye, with each side knowing full well that might be the last time we see our spouse. These men give their lives without though., for people who do not appreciate what is done. People never stop to think about their families and what we go through. How we suffer, how our lives are turned upside down. We rarely get holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and school events attended by our husbands, due to them trying to protect people who do not appreciate what they do, who what do pick out the faults without even trying to see the good. They are the first ones they call when trouble comes. Do they ever thank them? What if it was their husband? We wives are proud of our husbands, they are people too, with feelings. Let anyone try one day to live in their shoes. I too was once one who did not see the good. I married one and I saw the whole picture. I only wish all would. I think you are doing such a awesome job. You are a very fine man, seasoned with wit, character, charm and a loads of fairness. May God keep and angel with each of our fine officers.
With Sincere Thanks,
Wife of a Riverside Deputy

[Gilberto Acevedo]

Stop looking at the wrong end of the incident involving the latest police brutality in Los Angeles. Look for answers at the top where the Chief of Police sits; he is the origin of all racist acts of that department; he is responsible. His racist sentiment runs down the chain of command all the way to the last officer on the line. I have no doubt that the officers involved felt protected from the top, other wise they would not have committed those crimes in front of national television.

The history of LAPD is a shameful stain in our law enforcement. And as always, the LAPD is conducting an investigation as a vehicle to cover up. What it needs to be done is to remove all uniformed criminals from the force. I believe another terrible mistake is to employ individuals with just high school; LAPD needs individuals with higher education or some kind of college degree so they can understand the magnitudes of our Constitution and laws. Whether a given number of demonstrators are illegal immigrants, they are here within our jurisdictional laws; therefore they are afforded the same amount of protection as they are liable when breaking our laws.

Our finely crafted document states, respects, and points to preserve intact all other rights already reserved by the people, plainly written through our Ninth Amendment. And the fact that demonstrators are protected under the First Amendment makes matters highly complex when we examine those videos of people getting beaten indiscriminately: women, children, reporters. There is no other explanation but to conclude that that criminal behavior starts with the Chief of Police.

We see entire families migrating to different areas of our country, running away from gang activities, because the LAPD does nothing to restrain that sector of the crime world that is taking over school yards, youth centers, and the streets of Los Angeles. Gangs force recruit kids and threat with death if they do not join; meanwhile LAPD is cruising idly while all that is going on, but bursts violently against peaceful demonstrators. It is understood that the LAPD is an active part of all the crimes committed in Los Angeles.

Gilberto Acevedo, MA
Webster University

[Leo Tosh]

This is a copy of an e-mail i sent to the mayor of LA......

Dear Mr. Mayor:

Although I am not a citizen of your city, I felt I must write to you as I respect what you represent and the way you handle yourself.

I have just viewed in horror the video where certain LA City policeman beat with their batons, a young boy (KNBC @ 6:00). That young boy was in no way a threat to the police or the public and those police officers should be immediately fired, arrested and prosecuted.

Therefore, as the owner of a small business who purchases millions of dollars of goods from LA city manufacturers -- I am resolving -- until such time as those police officers are fired and prosecuted, to no longer purchase any goods from LA city manufacturers and/or businesses. I will also encourage my friends and other small business owners to boycott LA as well.

Be advised that I am a white male, in my late 40's with a conservative view towards crime and law enforcement. I did not attend the march, and I have a very mixed view on the entire immigration issue. I also don't know the boy or his family.

But in no way, shape or form should that young boy have been struck by the police officers in question. The police officer's actions were plain and simply -- thuggery. Any citizen who would above committed the same atrocity would have been immediately arrested and thrown in jail. But, I guess since the officers were acting under the "color of authority" they will be absolved of their actions, their lack of restraint, discipline and judgment. What a joke! As usual -- it sums up the LA police department. A joke!

Until these -- and all thugs are rooted out of the police force -- the LA city police department will always have a "black eye" in the view of ordinary, law-abiding citizens and it will always be a joke to every other major police department in the country.

With great sorrow and embarrassment (for you)...

[Gene]

Dear Chief Bratton:
I have always been a strong supporter of law enforcement. After serving in the military and Vietnam, I asked my father to drive me down to Parker Center so that I could join "the best law enforcment agency in the world". My Mom and Dad said I had just came back home from a very dangerous tour in Vietnam, and begged me not to sign up with a police department, especially one as large and spread out as LAPD. My dad waited for me downstairs in his vehicle. As I walked down the long hallway that lead to the employment office, a department inspection was taking place in another office space. All sworn personnel were lined up, uniforms pressed, shoes shined, with revolvers forward, cylinders open, and ready for inspection. At seeing this, I thought to myself..."having just left five years of active duty in the military, do I really want to go through this again...or should I pursue another career instead?" So I turned around, went downstairs to my dad waiting in his vehicle and told him I had a change of heart. Happily, my dad drove me back home. Throughout the last 35 or so years I've thought about the decision I made that day so long ago, and sometimes even felt regret that I chose a different path. Since that time, you Chief Bratton, have had many predecessors. Some are thought to have been better than others. Your arrival to Los Angeles was much heralded, and from "one human being to another human being" I think-- on balance-- you are a professional, and have sincerely have been trying to do a good job in running the department. But it appears, especially to those unfamiliar with all the idiosyncracies of law enforcement training and application thereof, that the LAPD is an organization to be feared. LAPD has a very bad reputation of insensitivity toward their citizens. After witnessing on television the MacArthur Park spectacle, I would unfortunately have to agree. Is the LAPD supposed to strike fear in the hearts of their citizens with daunting black uniformed annonimity? The "crack" Metro Divison's overall behavior in MacArthur Park last May 1 was unnecessary and totally disgusting. "To Serve and Protect"? This is not a very proud moment for the Los Angeles Police Department. As in any organization, all it takes is a few to sully its reputation. I wish you the very best of luck in your future attempts in bringing about some positive and enduring change in the Los Angeles Police Department.
Best Regards!
Gene

[Adrienne Potter]

The following was sent to Mayor Villaraigosa:
Kids in Danger and Adults In Danger protest any plans to cancel Police Chief William Bratton’s employment contract. If you fail to renew his contract crime rates will increase again in LA and innocent lives will be lost. Protecting the people requires tough police and tough chiefs and Mayor Bratton has proven his effectiveness again and again.

Crowd Control is one of the biggest challenges any police force world-wide faces and there will always be “incidents.” When they occur the public will always criticize the police force even though the police reaction is almost always provoked. It is highly irresponsible to suggest that Police Bratton should be removed because protesters didn’t like the crowd control provided by the courageous LAPD officers.
Please be sensitive to all of your constituents and not just those who protest emigration laws.
Cordially,
Adrienne Potter, Founder
Kids In Danger (K.I.D.)
Adults In Danger (A.I.D.)

[C Brent]

Dear Cheif,
I disagree with your demotions of your higher ups in the Mac Park incident. I wish you would stand behind all your officers. I have watched the tape a bunch of times and see the protestors harassing the police.
If they don't listen, that is their problem.
I am sick and tired of nothing being done about the illegal alien population in this city. It looks that your hands are tired by our Mayor who, in my opinion should be spending more time here than in Mexico.
I will not be voting for either of you in the next election if I do not see some sort of active change in this area.

[Fred Bender]

The drum-beat goes on.

MacArthur Park has never been a beauty queen, but this?

Every once in a while we Valleyites are reminded that there's a war going on.

What is devastating is cops behaving the way they do when cameras are on!!! The idiocy is beyond all belief.

[Wyatt Earp]

The criminal element already know that they can get away with far more with the LAPD than other police agencies because of the concent decree, John Mack being their friend and the Mayor who claimed last May 1st that there are no illegals.

I was very surprised to see Chief Bratton make such irresponsible remarks about the Metro Division officers who did their jobs.

If the Chief were to have considered the negative ramifications his comments will have on the LAPD for many years to come, perhaps he would have waited until the investigation even began prior to making such statements to the media.

Chief, what happens the next time there is a riot or civil unrest? Do you think that your officers will aggressivly put the situation down, knowing how you throw your own under the bus?

To call you a weak leader would imply that you have at least some leadership qualities which you have just shown the entire world that you don't. I used to hold you in high regard but that Sir is no longer the case.

[Geo.]

Chief Bratton,

I'm a long ways from the LAPD but just read a piece about the "Warrior Culture" of the LAPD. I want to congratulate your Officer's for being "Warriors".

You need "Warriors" to confront evil. And, I believe Warriors are the right people for the job.

Tell them to keep up the Good Work!

George
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

[Jennifer Lawson]

Chief Bratton, I certainly will not vote you back in, after the release of Paris Hilton. Don't you feel discrimination lawsuits breathing down your back?

I know if I was to have a DUI, I'd certainly pursue one!

The Hiltons shouldn't be able to purchase the LAPD and City Council.

[ABC Officer]

Lawson,

You're an idiot. The Sheriff's Dept released Hilton not LAPD. Even if it was LAPD you'd better look into jail overcrowding and what is being done with nonviolent offenders before you spout off about a payoff by the Hiltons.

[Phillip Mendelsohn]

Should I be surprised by the level of ignorance regarding our State, local, and Federal laws shown by many of the posters to this site? (1) Citizens do not vote for Police Chief. The Los Angeles City Charter provides that the Police Commission, in tandem with the Los Angeles City Council, makes all employment decisions regarding the Chief of Police of the City of Los Angeles. (2) Several posters' submissions suggest that the LAPD could unilaterally decide to back out of the Federal Consent Decree; however, the Consent Decree is an ORDER of the Federal District Court, signed by a Federal District Judge, and it is as binding as any other type of order or judgment. Were the LAPD to "back out" of the Consent Decree, they would be in contempt of Federal Court--in fact, if LAPD does not meet all the terms of the Decree, they are *also* in contempt. (3) Special Order 40 was signed in 1979 by then-Chief Darryl Gates, and since then, it has become part of the LAPD Police Manual. If this order were somehow removed from the Manual, LAPD officers would become roving immigration enforcement officers (a job which is already assigned to sworn officers under the jurisdiction of the federal Department of Homeland Security). Consequently, LAPD's ability to respond to, investigate, and otherwise handle violations of local and State criminal laws would be *seriously* compromised. (4) Illegal immigrants do *not* have the *same* Constitutional rights as U.S. citizens; furthermore, no one--neither citizen nor alien--has *absolute* First Amendment rights anywhere, at any time, least of all on public property. (5) As for the Ninth Amendment, its meaning has been debated by legal scholars since the ratification of the Bill of Rights; however, we do know that James Madison introduced it in specific response to the arguments of Alexander Hamilton and others that enactment of a Bill of Rights might dangerously suggest "that those rights which were not singled out, were intended to be assigned into the hands of the General [federal] Government, and were consequently insecure." 1 Annals of Cong. 439 (Gales & Seaton ed. 1834). "The Ninth Amendment therefore *at least* states a rule of construction pointing away from the *reverse incorporation view* that only the interests secured by the Bill of Rights are encompassed within the fourteenth amendment, and *at most* provides a positive source of law for fundamental but unmentioned rights." Laurence H. Tribe, American Constitutional Law (2d ed.) section 11-3, at 774-75.

[Jen]

Hello,

Do you have any info/advice for the wives of LAPD officers? My husband will be applying soon. Obviously I'm a little nervous, but excited at the same time.

Thank you...

[Dan]

Jen,

Check out lapdwives.org.

[B&W; Op]

Hi Jen.

Congratulations on your husband's decision of a law enforcement career. I was married 3 years when I came to the LAPD as a reserve, and have been on the job as a full-time officer for almost 20 years. I don't come home and dump all the day's events at work on my wife, except some funny stories here and there.

When I started my career, I told her not to expect a phone call when I would be home late due to an arrest. It's silly to wake her up and the kids at 3 AM just to tell her I would be late. She knows that no phone calls in the middle of the night is a good thing.

Be interested in your husband's career, be supportive, and be there for any emotional support he might need. But let him share what he feels he needs to share and don't probe him with all the details of a day's work.

You'll both do just fine.

[Jen]

Dan and B&W; OP,
Thank you very much for your advice. My husband has just been scheduled for the 3-day expedited interview process in August. I am very excited for him and feel there will be a great support network if our family goes in this direction.

Thanks again,
Jen

[Historic Texts]

I think its the bag factor. The bag of good and evil deeds as preceived by the market.

[Gilberto Acevedo]

This Blog is a good place for decent police to find what crackheads are doing in their leisure time. One crackhead implies that the police was justified to beat a boy, a reporter, and other innocent people. Some other crackheads praise the lousy job the chief is doing, when in reality he is not hiring the best men, just a bunch of criminals. And another crackhead thinks Ms. Hilton was under the custody of LAPD. I don’t think this Blog is worth visiting any longer.

[C. Benton]

Chief.

Just arrest the criminals. Cooperate with ICE and deport them. If you don't have room for the thugs, copy what Arizona does. Place them in tents in the desert.

Forget about taxing homeowners for such funds. Like programs exist and have failed.

Arrest them!

C. Benton