•Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman attended the special Compstat session held by the Chief which focused on the recent spike in homicides.
•Police Chief Charlie Beck informed the Board it has been a difficult week for the Department. The body of SWAT Officer Robert James “RJ” Cottle was returned to Los Alamitos from Afghanistan where he was killed while on active duty for the United States Marines. The Chief said there is a memorial service planned for next Tuesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown Los Angeles. He added a formal service would be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia next Friday.
•The verbal presentation and update from the Commanding Officer and Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) representative regarding community initiated problem solving, crime strategies, and other programs and goals within the Devonshire Area, was given by Captain Sean Kane and Mr. Larry Stern. Mr. Stern informed the Board the Devonshire Area recently opened up its state-of-the-art PALS Youth Center. Mr. Stern added the area C-PAB has held three district meetings since 2009 and is actively involved in the National Night Out campaign.
•The Department’s report, dated March 19, 2010, relative to the Classification and Investigation of Head Strikes, as given by Lieutenant Brian Pratt, was approved. Lt Pratt informed the Board a new classification has been created with regards to head strikes. An intentional head strike will be classified as a Use of Force however an unintentional head strike will not be a Use of Force unless the subject is hospitalized as a result of the blow.
•The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2010, relative to the Categorical Use of Force System Inspection (IAID No. 09-023), was approved. The Board advised the Department to report back to the Commission in with a Special Order indicating 60 day compliance.
•The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2010, relative to the Department’s response to the Office of the Inspector General’s review of Non-categorical Use of Force reports, Fiscal Year 2007/2008, dated October 1, 2008, was pulled.
•The Department’s report, dated March 31, 2010, relative to the Department’s response to arrest, booking, and charging reports (IAID #C09-002), dated September 30, 2009, was received and filed.
•The Department’s report, dated March 23, 2010, relative to the Quarterly Status Report, Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2009/10, was continued.
•The Department’s report, dated April 5, 2010, relative to the DNA Quarterly Report, First Quarter 2010, was given by Captain Kevin McClure, was approved and transmitted to the City Council, Public Safety Committee. City Controller Wendy Gruel attended the meeting as well and said the Department has made incredible progress in a short period of time and added she supported adding new Criminalists to the Department to deal with the remaining case load. Ms. Gruel also said she meets with Department personnel on a monthly basis to discuss the progress made and said there is a hearing in front of the full City Council every quarter for updates. Captain Kevin McClure informed the Board there are currently 648 cases left to test. He added resources and funding could be an issue going forward.
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