• Police Chief William Bratton informed the Commission that he was in Washington D.C last week as part of a police memorial which honored fallen Los Angeles Police Officers Randall Simmons and Spree Desha among others. The Department had a contingent of more than 100 officers in attendance. While in D.C., Chief Bratton also met with Department of Homeland Security personnel to discuss counter-terrorism policies and procedures.
• The verbal presentation by the Department and the Mary Magdalene Project relative to the Mary Magdalene Project was given by Dr. Martin McCombs and Deputy Chief Michael Moore. Dr. McCombs spoke on the history of the institution saying the organization gives women who have been victimized by street prostitution the opportunity to turn their lives around and has been in existence for 30 years. Chief Moore stated Valley Bureau works with the Mary Magdalene Project to help women who have been arrested for prostitution in the area. The pilot program, which took 3 ½ years to develop, is given at no cost to the City and is funded by grants.
• The verbal presentation by the Department and the U.S Attorney’s Office relative to gang enforcement and prosecution was given by United States Attorney Tom Obrien. Mr. Obrien’s district covers 7 Southern California counties including Los Angeles. Increased cooperation between state and local agencies had led to the capture and imprisonment of some of the most notorious gang members in the city. Mr. Obrien added Chief Bratton has been one of the biggest collaborators with his office in devising a comprehensive attack on the most violent and active gangs in the City. He finished by saying he looks forward to continuing their efforts in the fight against gang violence.
• The verbal presentation by the Department and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University regarding the “Policing Los Angeles Under a Consent Decree: The Dynamics of Change at the LAPD” report was given by Ms. Christine Cole and Mr. Todd Fogelsong. Ms. Cole stated the study aimed to answer a number of questions pertaining to the Department as it relates to organizational progress. The report analyzed data provided by the Department and conducted numerous surveys. The findings revealed a greater accountability with officers and as a result, there has been a reduction in crime, an increase in public confidence and an increase in the total number of prosecutions. Ms. Cole finished by adding the full report could be viewed on the University’s website.
• The Department’s report, dated May 4, 2009, relative to the Department’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 continued to next week.
• The Department’s report, dated May 12, 2009, relative to the Request for Information: Recapitulation of Warrants Authored and Firearms Seized by Gang Impact Teams, First Quarter 2009, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated April 30, 2009, relative to the Semi-Annual Consent Decree Mental Illness Project Status Report – July through December 2008, was approved and transmitted to the City Council, Public Safety Committee.
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