Mayor Hahn Visits Museum of Tolerance Training Program for LAPD Officers Consent decree requirement reinforces LAPD’s policy of nondiscriminatory policing Press Release June 14, 2004

Los Angeles – Mayor Jim Hahn and Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton today addressed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) who are undergoing diversity training at the Museum of Tolerance. The program, “Tools for Tolerance” provides LAPD officers and recruits with an understanding of the legal definitions of racial profiling and reinforces LAPD’s policy of nondiscriminatory policing. LAPD developed “Tools for Tolerance” in conjunction with the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance and is mandated by the federal consent decree.

“This critical training ensures that all LAPD officers, including cadets, receive and know that we expect nothing less than constitutional policing on the streets of this city,” said Mayor Hahn.

The consent decree prohibits discriminatory conduct based upon “race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.” Mayor Hahn and Chief Bratton both said that the federal Monitor assigned to the LAPD by the Department of Justice has given the department rave reviews with regard to LAPD’s improved training program under the consent decree.

"The Los Angeles Police Department has complied with the intent of the Consent Decree and sees it as the tool to provide real and long lasting reform of a culture that many believe is resistant to change," said Chief Bratton. "Because of the Consent Decree, the Department isn't just making changes, we are implementing best practices in policing."

Under the consent decree LAPD is also required to collect data for all motor and pedestrian stops. The department is now documenting all traffic and pedestrian stops to better understand the basis for LAPD’s traffic and pedestrian stops and to ensure that officers are not engaging in biased policing.

The PODDS device (Portable Officer Data Device System), introduced this year, will allow the department to electronically upload collected traffic and pedestrian stop data into department databases and will be used as one factor in identifying and analyzing the conduct of officers. Data collected by PODDS is posted on the LAPD’s website, which Mayor Hahn said, further demonstrates the department’s commitment to achieving transparency.

Mayor Hahn told the officers that the city has gone above and beyond the requirements of the consent decree and commissioned an independent analysis of the motor vehicle and pedestrian stop data to ensure that officers are not just enforcing the law, but upholding it.

According to Mayor Hahn, the LAPD has significantly improved how it monitors itself. LAPD is now auditing a number of specific areas of concern on a regular basis including the intake of civilian complaints, arrests, and gang unit audits. Audit Division was developed as a result of the consent decree and has been applauded by the Monitor.

“Translating the terms of the consent decree into true police reform has been a department wide effort. I want to applaud all of the men and women of this department for working to implement this decree and for their commitment to the very essence of what this department stands for: justice.”

The Department of Justice will determine if the LAPD has met the requirements of the five-year consent decree no sooner than June 15, 2006. Mayor Hahn and Chief Bratton both said the department has made tremendous strides in the last three years, but acknowledged that LAPD faces some challenges as the federal deadline approaches.

“Despite these challenges,” said Mayor Hahn. “Chief Bratton and I feel strongly that this department will be in full compliance with the requirements of the consent decree by June 15, 2006.”

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