Law Enforcement

LAPD officer killed in OC motorcycle crash
A 60-year-old off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer and a second motorcyclist were both killed in a collision in Orange County, authorities said Monday night. Emergency Operation Divisions Officer Kent Carter was riding his personal 2007 Suzuki motorcycle north on Santiago Canyon Road, south of Jeffrey Road in Santa Ana, about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, when his bike veered into oncoming traffic, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Carter's Suzuki collided with another motorcyclist, riding a 1999 Honda, who was traveling south on Santiago Canyon Road, police said. Immediately following the first collision, Carter was struck a second time by a man riding a 2007 Honda motorcycle, traveling southbound on Santiago Road, along with a female passenger, police said.
City News Service

Plan to assign LAPD officers to jails OK'd
Hoping to get the new Metropolitan Detention Center up and running by the end of January, a city panel signed off Monday on a plan to reassign 83 LAPD officers to work as jailers. While LAPD brass and city officials oppose the idea of pulling officers off the streets to work as jailers, they say it's the only option because a hiring freeze has made it impossible to fill vacancies with civilian employees. "Other options are even worse," said City Councilman Greig Smith, an LAPD reserve officer who chairs the Public Safety Committee.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAUSD appoint Zipperman as new school police force chief
The nation's largest school police force is set to have a new chief beginning next year: Steven K. Zipperman, a 31-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines announced Zipperman's appointment on Monday. The Los Angeles School Police Department patrols LAUSD property. With 340 sworn officers, it's the fifth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County. Zipperman has been commanding officer of LAPD's Southwest Area Community Police Station since February 2009. Before that, he was commanding officer of the West Valley Division.
Torrance Daily Breeze

Daily News editorial: Justice delivered as LAPD clears rape kit backlog
It took two years, but the Los Angeles Police Department has just about cleared a backlog of 7,000 untested rape kits. This is what happens when city leaders truly make public safety and crime prevention a priority. These kits present crucial evidence in sexual assault cases. The fact that so many kits sat in a freezer downtown untested, for years, was an affront to victims who had consented to the long, intrusive and uncomfortable evidence collection exam. And it was a terrible embarrassment to the Police Department and the city of Los Angeles as a whole.
Los Angeles Daily News

LAPD Program at Birmingham High School helps kids in jeopardy
In a time of government and corporate downsizing, many are looking to local organizations to bolster community spirit and alleviate problems in society. One group that has been uniquely active in this regard is the LAPD West Valley Division's Jeopardy Program, which was launched this spring. The Jeopardy Program offered at Birmingham High School is a gang prevention and intervention program for 11- to 17-year-old kids and their parents. Though the local group doesn't quantify its success, it hosted a holiday party last week for the students and families to celebrate their accomplishments.
Encino Patch

Couple accused in killing and dismembering of man at L.A. hotel could face death penalty
A couple charged in connection with the killing and dismembering of a man at a downtown Los Angeles hotel could face the death penalty. The couple made their first court appearance on Monday. They were charged with murder with special circumstance allegations that could bring the death penalty. Prosecutors will make a decision on the death provision at a later point. The arrests of Edward Garcia Jr., 36, and his wife, Melissa Hope Garcia, 25, were made Friday by the U.S. marshal's service and the Los Angeles Police Department at a location on La Brea Avenue near Hawthorn Avenue in Hollywood.
Los Angeles Times

City Budget Crisis

Panel weighs cutting fire, police budgets
A City Council panel on Monday recommended a plan to save $87 million - mostly through cuts to fire and police service - to begin chipping away at Los Angeles' $300 million-plus budget deficit. On Wednesday, the full City Council is expected to consider the plan approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. "We already were at a $300 million (deficit through 2011-2012) and now we are looking at another $80 million to $100 million," said Councilman Bernard Parks, chairman of the committee. "We have to deal with this now or it will get even worse when we consider the budget next year."
Los Angeles Daily News

Prisons

Government