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

[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]

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[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.