Missing Persons Unit begins Parnership
with KAZA-TV, Channel 54

from LAPD

July 15, 2008

The Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit (MPU) handles nearly 3,500 adult missing person investigations annually.  When combined with the number of juvenile missing person reports that are handled at the Divisional level, the City of Los Angeles leads the nation in missing person investigations.  The MPU consists of four D-1s (1-per Bureau) and two D-2s who provide oversight and assist with the massive volume of reports.

Although the MPU experiences an annual clearance rate between 90% and 95%, some investigations involve foul play.  Recently, over a four week period, two missing person investigations have evolved into homicide investigations.  Fortunately, due to the meticulously detailed investigations conducted by the MPU detectives, a quality investigative report was provided to Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) for a follow-up that resulted in the timely arrest of both suspects by RHD.

Last week, the Missing Persons Unit (MPU) was approached by KAZA-TV (Channel 54) to assist with a weekly television segment dealing with the profiling of various missing person investigations to the Spanish speaking community.  Mr. Carlos Zapata, a reporter for Channel 54, will be hosting the segment every Thursday.  Mr. Zapata will be contacting the MPU each week for a missing person investigation to be profiled.  This is obviously an outstanding opportunity for the MPU to work in partnership with the community, and will result in a higher level of service to the community, thus enhancing one of our Department's Core Values.

On July 15, 2008, the MPU profiled its first missing person case with Mr. Zapata.  The coverage took place in the MPU office, with Officer Jose “Ricky” Rodriguez as the MPU spokesperson.  Officer Rodriguez presented the case before the camera, and in the background was MPU office staff hard at work, answering phone calls and taking down information.  The setting was not a “sterile” environment; it depicted an office that reflected LAPD detectives hard at work.  The MPU looks forward to its newfound partnership with Channel 54 and the community.