Significant Accomplishments of the LA Police Commission
During the Last Four Years -- 2001 to 2005

Los Angeles - On Tuesday, August 16, 2005, the current members of the Los Angeles Police Commission met as a group for the last time. They convened at 9:30am in Parker Center, as they had nearly every Tuesday for the last four years.

As volunteers, Commissioners donate an average of 20 hours per week to the City of Los Angeles. The members of this Police Commission have enacted significant changes in the Los Angeles Police Department, including attracting and recruiting Police Chief Bill Bratton to Los Angeles.

They are proud of their accomplishments as they turn over the reigns of the Los Angeles Police Department to the new Police Commission appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2001 Enabled Opening of Cold Case Unit within Robbery Homicide Division
With new technology such as improved DNA and fingerprinting techniques now available, the Cold Case Unit was opened. This Unit investigates older homicide "cold" cases using the new technology. Several homicides have been solved through this unit bringing a sense of justice to many families.

Renewed Department's Commitment to Hunter-La Ley
The Hunter-La Ley Consent Decree outlines the Department's progress in hiring and promoting minorities and women.

Reinstatement of Senior Lead Officers
Keenly aware of the crime fighting benefits of the Senior Lead Officer program, the Police Commission embraced the community based policing program and insured its full reinstatement through a series of mandates and regularly scheduled updates.

2002 Revised Discipline System
Always a fine line between officer satisfaction and community satisfaction, a balanced discipline system is difficult for a law enforcement agency to achieve and maintain. Under the direction of the Police Commission, LAPD achieved a discipline system that is fair and is accepted internally and externally. The system is harsh on misconduct and it is understanding of frivolous complaints.

Implemented a Flexible Work Schedule
A significant morale booster, the Flexible Work Schedule was phased in beginning in 2002. The new schedule allows officers the opportunity to spend more time with their families and commute to and from work fewer days while the Department maintains the same coverage.

Appointed Chief William Bratton
The Police Commission conducted a nationwide search for the position of Chief of Police. The result of the four-month process was the submittal of a short list to the Mayor of the best and brightest law enforcement leaders in the country. Undoubtedly, the most recognizable law enforcement professional in the nation, William Bratton brought his proven formula of crime reduction to Los Angeles. He has reduced violent crimes by 18.4% in two years.

Renewed Department's Commitment to Special Order 40
Special Order 40 is a Department order that states that Los Angeles Police personnel do not question or stop individuals solely based on their possible immigration status.

2003 Promoted Donating to Ethical Charities
The Police Commission actively spread the word in English and in Spanish to beware of fraudulent charities and to always question anyone soliciting money for a charity.

Hired Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr.
Andre Birotte, Jr. was the previous Assistant Inspector General and had practiced law privately as well as with the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Revised Pursuit Policy
Following the tragic loss of a child in a pursuit related collision, the Police Commission directed a nationwide comparison of pursuit policies to ensure that Los Angeles was in keeping with best practices. While the research found that LAPD actually held one of the more restrictive pursuit policies, the Police Commission opted to alter it on the side of safety and remove the officers' ability to initiate a pursuit based on a misdemeanor offense. The result of this change has been a dramatic drop in officer, bystander and suspect injuries.

Revised Burglar Alarm Policy
Leading a nationwide trend of addressing the need to alter police response to private burglar alarm calls, the Police Commission revised the LAPD's policy to limit the number of times that the Department responds to an alarm call. Now, on the third call for service, verification must be made before a patrol unit is dispatched. In addition, the Police Commission enacted an Ordinance change which significantly raised the fines associated with false alarms. The combination of these changes has dramatically reduced calls for service for burglar alarms, freeing up officers' time for higher priority calls.

Appointed Rampart Blue Ribbon Panel
While the 1999 Rampart corruption scandal investigations were complete, many residual effects were being felt both within the Department and within the community. To review the incident with the benefit of time and to ensure that the Department had implemented all appropriate recommendations, the Police Commission appointed a nine member panel headed by Civil Rights attorney Connie Rice. The Panel's report will be complete in 2005.

2004 Eliminated Code Two High Dispatch
To more effectively manage the calls for service, the Police Commission eliminated the "Code Two High" dispatch classification. This allows the dispatcher to determine if a call falls into the "Emergency" or "Urgent" classification. This action has contributed to the Department's decrease in response time.

Revamped Reserve Corps
Under the leadership of the Police Commission, the Department enhanced the Reserve Corps by improving recruitment techniques, creating additional ranks, and adding additional responsibilities. The Reserve Corps is more important than ever right now due to City budget shortfalls. These officers, who hold the same authority as paid officers, offer an incredible service to the Department and the City of Los Angeles.

Oversaw substantial compliance with the Consent Decree
Under the leadership of the Police Commission, the LAPD achieved substantial compliance with the Federal Consent Decree on June 15, 2004. Substantial compliance must now be maintained for two years after that date. The Consent Decree has created an improved Department that now sets standards nationwide in terms of law enforcement best practices.

Hired Executive Director Richard Tefank
Richard Tefank served as the Assistant Inspector General and also held the position of Chief of Police in Pomona and Buena Park.

Responded to the Southeast, June 23, 2004, Use of Force incident with an effective Plan of Action
In response to the "Stanley Miller incident," the Police Commission issued a Plan of Action which was designed to address all possible concerns, internally and externally. The document includes review of extensive dialogue with the community and a critical analysis of related policy.

Directed the production of "The Status of Domestic Violence in Los Angeles"
In cooperation with the Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women, the Police Commission directed the production of a research report which will be a comprehensive and current study of domestic violence in Los Angeles. This topic continues to be of the utmost importance in law enforcement as a large percentage of calls for service are related to domestic violence.

Reinvigorated Recruitment
The LAPD is hiring and the Police Commission helped to get the word out. The Police Commission assisted in the creation of the Recruitment Advisory Committee to target individuals of color for an exciting career at the LAPD.

2005 Approved New Flashlight Policy
As stated in the Commission Initiatives following the "Stanley Miller incident," the Commission reviewed all incident-related policies to insure that the community and the Department were well-served. The result was a new "Flashlight Policy," which states that the use of a flashlight as an impact device is discouraged.

Revised Policy Relative to Shooting at or From a Moving Vehicle
In an effort to minimize injury to bystanders, officers, and suspects, the new policy prohibits an officer from discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle unless the officer or another person is being immediately threatened with deadly force by means other than the moving vehicle. The moving vehicle itself will no longer constitute the threatened use of force and requires that an officer move out of the path of the moving vehicle. Furthermore, the revised policy prohibits an officer from discharging a firearm from inside of a moving vehicle except in exigent circumstances and in the immediate defense of life.

Reinstated Support for Community Police Advisory Boards (CPABs)
In an effort to maintain a consistent relationship with the Community Police Advisory Boards, the Commission reinstated the position of Community Policing Liaison. In addition, Commission staff now attends CPAB meetings throughout the City, and CPAB Co-Chairs and Captains share their accomplishments and experiences with the Commission once a month.

Revised Qualifications to Compete for Police Officer III Positions
Greatly improving the ability to promote throughout the Department, the Commission removed the Police Officer III written qualifying test for tenured officers.

Gave Authority to Chief Bratton to Choose Standards for Flashlights
With extensive law enforcement expertise, Chief Bratton will now make a selection of Department approved flashlights which meet certain criteria. The new flashlights will compliment the Flashlight Policy and will be lighter and smaller than currently used flashlights.

Revised Pursuit Policy to Include Use of Spike Strip and Pursuit Intervention Technique
These spike strip and the pursuit intervention technique have proven be valuable in safely ending pursuits in other jurisdictions. This additional revision to LAPD's Pursuit Policy, makes it one of the most safety conscious policies in the nation.

Revised End of Pursuit Tactics
To maximize officer safety, revisions were made for end of pursuit tactics when it is likely that the suspect will ram the police vehicle. The new tactics allow the officers to deploy away from the vehicle to avoid being trapped by the patrol car's closing doors.

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