As we begin the New Year, I thought this would be an appropriate time to comment on a number of issues of interest to you and to the public. Two videotaped arrests involving noncategorical uses of force by LAPD officers were the focus of much attention by the public, the media, and the internet community. By now, I am sure all of you are familiar with the arrests, one that occurred in Hollywood involving William Cardenas and one that occurred in Pacific Area involving Benjamin Barker.
In the Hollywood case, two officers spotted William Cardenas, a local gang member, on August 11, 2006. He was wanted on a felony warrant for receiving stolen property, a gun. As officers tried to arrest him, he ran. After chasing him, Cardenas was knocked to the ground. He struggled and the officers used force. In the officers arrest report, there was a summary of the force used including a description of one of the officers striking Cardenas on the face as they tried to arrest him. Cardenas has pleaded no contest to the stolen property charge and the Department’s administrative investigation is continuing.
In the Pacific case, on February 8, 2005, Benjamin Barker was arrested after business owners reported that he had attacked a storeowner and was spitting on and challenging a store patron to fight. After handcuffing Mr. Barker, officers tried to put him in the back of a police car. At one point, Mr. Barker spat on an officer who then used OC spray on him. A witness captured the arrest on videotape. The tape was given to the Consent Decree Independent Monitor. The administrative investigation found the officer’s actions to be in policy, with training recommended. The involved officer left
the Department prior to the complaint being filed.
In both of these cases, it is important to note that the proper investigative and reporting procedures were followed. Events and incidents will always occur. Our responsibility is to deal with them openly, honestly and effectively, both for the sake of the officers and the public. I am committed to doing just that. While we as police officers are authorized to use force to overcome resistance, the reality is that LAPD officers show great restraint. Each year, officers in this Department have more than a million contacts with the public. In 2005 we made nearly 160,000 arrests and in only about 2,000 of those arrests, was any force used. In only 99 of them, was life threatening force, or force causing serious injury used.
Speaking to another issue regarding the use of force, and at the recommendation of our tactical and use of force experts, the Department has discontinued the term distraction strike.” We have discontinued this term because of its ambiguity and the need for clarity and more accurate documentation.
Officers reporting this use of force need to articulate the type of strike delivered, where on the body it was delivered, and the reason or intent for applying the strike. For example, was the strike an open palm heel strike, a closed fist strike, or was something other than the officer’s hand used? Also important is your reason, the intent behind your decision to apply the strike. Distraction strikes were originally intended as a way for officers to transition to other techniques to control a suspect. In the past, the term “distraction strikes” had been misused to describe strikes intended to cause a suspect to submit to arrest or to stop an offensive action when there was no intention of transitioning to another technique. Officers need to understand that while we are eliminating the term, we are not adding or deleting any arrest and control techniques.
It may seem like the negative aspects of policing are often in the spotlight. To offset that impression, we all need to do a better job internally of highlighting examples of outstanding police work, which are much more commonplace and reflective of your hard work and dedication. The LAPD has an established process to honor employees, both officers and civilians, whose service has been exemplary.The Department Awards and Decorations Coordinator out of the Personnel Group handles this process. From the Meritorious Unit Citations up to the prestigious Medal of Valor, this process can only work if employees are recommended and the appropriate paperwork is completed.
Any supervisor can submit a recommendation for an official Department award by forwarding the paperwork to their Area or Division commanding officer. Once the commanding officer has signed off on the recommendation, it goes to the Bureau for approval. The Bureau then forwards the submission to the Awards and Decorations Coordinator, who takes it to the Commendations Board. After review, the Commendations Board forwards those awards that need additional approval to myself, Assistant Chief Papa and to the Police Commission.
Other honors, outside the Department’s official awards program, are often forwarded to commanding officers for nominations. These include awards from elected officials, national violence prevention organizations, and law enforcement fraternal and professional organizations. Recently, Sergeant Julie Rodriguez of Mission Area nominated officers for two separate honors. Officer Gonzalo Lara was awarded the 2006 James Brady Law Enforcement Award of Excellence, recognizing his proactive gun violence prevention efforts by working with young people in his area. Additionally, Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith awarded Officer Richard Stocks with the “Dan Danko Lifetime Award.” Officer Stocks was recognized for his commitment to early gang intervention and the development of the “Balancing the Odds” program. Both Officer Lara and Officer Stocks received the accolades they deserved thanks to the efforts of Sergeant Rodriguez.
In November 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger presented four LAPD officers with the state “Medal of Valor” for acts of heroism. Officers Troy Zeeman and Bryan Gregson were honored for a Feb. 17, 2005, arrest in connection with a drive-by shooting. At one point, the suspect leveled his pistol at Zeeman, told him “You’re dead,” and squeezed off a shot that missed; Zeeman and Gregson then shot back, wounding the gunman and took him into custody. Officers Jeffrey Jensen and Paul Waymire were credited with saving an accident victim trapped in a burning vehicle on October 16, 2005.
Based on our crime reduction figures over the past several years, outstanding police work, that should be recognized, is constantly occurring throughout this City. Commanding officers should focus additional attention on both our internal awards process, as well as requests for nominations from outside sources, to ensure that the personnel in their commands, both sworn and civilian, are appropriately recognized.
As we move into 2007, my goal for reducing Part 1 crime during the first six months of 2007 is five percent. Both Assistant Chief Paysinger and I feel this is a realistic objective based on the outstanding past performance of the men and women of this Department. In 2006, you reduced crime by another eight percent, to the lowest level in 50 years. You should all feel proud of that accomplishment. By continuing to foster and improve relationships with other law enforcement agencies, other City departments and our community/police partnerships, I believe we will end up looking back on 2007 as
another successful year.
As we begin the New Year, I want to thank each of you for all of your hard work in 2006. Your professionalism, creativity, commitment, and courage make me proud to say I am your Chief. Together we’ve made incredible strides towards regaining our place as leaders in law enforcement, improving our relations in the communities we serve, and truly making Los Angeles a safer place. But the job isn’t finished yet, and I look forward to meeting new challenges in 2007, working with you and continuing to tell your story.
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