Notes for the March 31, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco reminded the public about the Commission’s special meeting to be held next Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at 6:30 pm.  It will be held at the Galen Center located on the University of Southern California campus.

Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said he attended the new recruit graduation last week and appreciated the opportunity to speak at the ceremony.  He commended the Department for continuing to diversify its ranks with its recruit classes.

Police Chief William Bratton informed the Commission he attended the Police Executive Research Forum’s annual conference in Washington D.C. where recommendations for grants and funding were discussed.  Chief Bratton also attended the Installment Ceremony for United States Attorney General Eric Holder. 

The verbal presentation by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Department relative to the Juvenile Impact Program was given by Captain Jim Miller and Ms. Veronica Toledo of LAUSD.  The program focuses on youths and parents and is designed to help families in crisis.  The program is a para-military style boot-camp which strives to change destructive behavior in a quick way. The 12 week program is held on Saturdays from 8am-3pm.  The very first boot-camp was held in Central Division and was run by volunteers.  In 2001, it expanded to 77th Division and partnered with the LAUSD.  There have been more than 500 kids to go through the program, which is privately funded.  The new class is set to begin April 11, 2009, in the Van Nuys area.

The Department’s verbal presentation relative to the number of sworn officers filling civilian vacancies was given by Police Administrator Rhonda Sims-Lewis.  Ms. Sims-Lewis stated her office conducted a survey to determine which civilian duties were being performed by sworn personnel.  The survey revealed there were 178 sworn officers performing civilian duties.  Of those performing civilian tasks, 71 were on a part-time basis.  Ms. Sims-Lewis added that with the hiring freeze only Detention Officers and some technical service jobs are exempt.  She added to expect more sworn officers doing civilian jobs in the future.

The Inspector General’s report, dated March 20, 2009, relative to the annual Activity Report for the Year 2008, was approved.

The Department’s report, dated March 19, 2009, relative to the Audit Recommendations Status Report, Third Quarter, FY 2008/2009, was approved.

The Department’s report, dated March 13, 2009, relative to the Management’s Response to the Recommendation of the Complaint, Form 1.28, Investigations Phase I Audit (AD No. 07-009), was received and filed.

The Department’s report, dated March 16, 2009, relative to the Management’s Response to the Recommendation of the Office of the Inspector General’s Complaint Investigations Audit, Fiscal Year 2006/2007, and December 28, 2006, was received and filed.

The Department’s report, dated March 16, 2009, relative to the Management’s Response to the Recommendation of the Office of the Inspector General’s Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigations Audit, Fiscal Year 2007/2008, was received and filed.

The Department’s report, dated February 16, 2009, relative to the Request for Payment of Reward on City council File No. 08-0010-S45, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.

The Executive Director’s report, dated March 24, 2009, relative to the Official Police Garage Contract Renewals, was approved.

The Department’s report, dated March 23, 2009, relative to the modification and extension request for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Making Officer Redeployment Effective (MORE) 1998 Grant, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

The Department’s report, dated March 27, 2009, relative to the Policy Prohibiting Racial profiling – Revised was approved.

The Department’s report, dated March 27, 2009, relative to the policy prohibiting Secondary Employment as a Private Investigator, was approved.

The Department’s report, dated March 27, 2009, relative to the Code-Three Response Policy – Revised, as given by Commander Stuart Maislin, was approved.  Commander Maislin said he conducted a review of the Code 3 response protocol in the Department manual and found it to conflict with the California Vehicle Code (CVC).  The CVC allows the Police Department to be exempt from traffic laws so long as the situation is an emergency.  Code 3 equipment must be utilized.  Department policy allows only one unit in an emergency to use Code 3 and all others to utilize Code 2.  Commander Maislin found Department employees utilizing what he called “Code 2 ½” in that officers would respond like it was Code 3 but without using their emergency equipment.  The Commander informed the Commission to the new change in policy which would give officers the authority to go Code 3 as long as they utilized their emergency equipment.

Comments

[Ed O'Shea]

Purple Heart???????
As I sit here typing this, fresh in my mind is that of the recent deaths of 4 Oakland Police Officers. Now today, I've been following the breaking news out of Pittsburgh, where 3 Police Officers were killed and 2 more injured in a shoot out with a crazed gunman. These men served their Communities with unrelenting Honor, Courage, Pride and Tenacity right up to their untimely deaths. They provided, and we all continue to provide an unconditional umbrella of safety and security for our respective Communities. There deaths shall not be in vein! I attended the funeral for the 4 Oakland Officers, and was taken aback by the heart felt displays of sorrow and affection by the People of Oakland and San Francisco. Not that I needed reminding, but it reminded that no matter how unappreciated we Officers feel at times, the majority of the public, understands and appreciates the fabric of safety that we provide in their name. Most of the Community also understand that some of us give get injured and others lose their lives for them. These moments also serve as a grim reminder to me that our own Los Angeles Police Commission hasn't cared enough to take action on the request by Commissioner Skobin that LAPD have a Purple Heart Award for seriously injured or killed LAPD Officers. Commissioner Pacheco seems to have forgotten what he said when the Purple Heart was brought up, which to remind him, " It's the right thing to do." Clearly he was posturing politically, and lacks the courage of his conviction. I do know that Chief Bratton is no Commissioner Pacheco, while the Chief in Boston and in New York, he put the Purple Heart award in place for his Men and Women. Chief Bratton clearly understands what the sacrifice of his Men and Women mean to them, their families and the People of Los Angeles. Perhaps the Commission is waiting for another LAPD Officer to lose his or her life here in Los Angeles before they exit Alice in Wonderland and step back into reality. After all, they demonstrably take no time in lambasting the Police Officers and attacking our credibility on a regular basis. Also, they waste no time in implementing any restrictions they deem as necessary, on LAPD Police Officers. The People of Los Angeles deserve a real Police Commission, not an Antipolice Commission, that is motivated by their negative and obtuse opinions of the front line Police Officers of our City. Their pessimistic views of Law Enforcement are palpable and clearly do not make this City as safe as she should be. Again, this lack of leadership at the Police Commission is indicative of a body of people that have disdain for the Police Officers who protect this great City. If not this Purple Heart award would be a no-brainier to the pragmatist. And their failure to properly do the right thing and hope that this topic fades away, is further evidence to the charge that they are a bunch of obtuse and callow individuals to the officers who put their lives on the line day after day. The Commissioners manager to show up and mug up for the cameras at Officer's funerals. But they are loudly absent when it comes to standing up for something as basic as a Purple Heart. And my father always used to say," you don't have to stand tall for every fight, but you do have to take a stand!" Dad, would be ashamed of this Police Commission and it's silence and failure on a matter so important as the Purple Heart. Only one Commissioner has stood up and advocated for this Award, and why is that, other than what I have outlined? Shame on the others, especially the "leadership" of President Pacheco and Vice President Mack. Perhaps they are afraid of what the criminal element and their facilitators will say if they recognize the sacrifice and service of our police officers. Whatever their hesitance, it is squandering an opportunity to boost morale, and do something that is more than the hollow words we so often hear from the Police Commission. As I said, Chief Bratton clearly and demonstrably understands the importance of this award, evident by what he did while in charge at NYPD and BPD. But then again, he's a leader and likes cops.

[Ed O'Shea]

Oh, and before "CITIZEN", "COPWATCH" or any of the other antipolice cast of malcontents opine about me going to Oakland for the funerals. I did so on my own time and my own dime.

[CITIZEN]

Mr.O'Shea for the record I would not have any problem with you or any other officer going to Oakland on the city's dime or time. Actualy I think the city should pay for this.

[Retired and Proud]

I agree with Ed O'Shea. What is taking so long in establishing a Purple Heart memorial program for fallen LAPD officers? Is our far left leaning LA Police Commission worried about offending the screw ball bloggers at Daily Kos and Cop Watch? Please Mister and Ms. Police Commissioners, follow Alan Skobin's lead; stand up for what is good, and do what is right... Initiate the "Purple Heart!"

[Nitsu]

Alan Skobin seems to be the only one with a "heart" on the commission and to the rest of the commission; it's not an election year so do it already!