Law Enforcement

LAPD seeks 'Teardrop' rapist for 28 sex assaults
A serial rapist who primarily attacks Los Angeles women who walk alone in the early morning has been linked to more than two dozen sexual assaults spanning more than 15 years, authorities said Tuesday. Police at a news conference released nine composite sketches of the man and described similarities in the 28 sexual assaults with hopes that the public would help them find the suspect they've dubbed the "Teardrop Attacker" because of victim reports of tear tattoos on his face, Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese said.
Associated Press

The LAPD today
The 20th anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles riots has been welcomed by countless news stories and retrospectives on this important event in our city's history. But many of these retrospectives have included analyses that overstate the riots' role in the evolution of the Department. Any balanced analysis must recognize that policing in general has evolved across the nation. Changes in the Department were part of a larger national trend of evolving approaches to policing.
LAPPL Blog

LAPD gains officers in mayor's budget cut plan
The Los Angeles Police Department would see a modest gain in sworn officers under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's city budget that would also slash civilian personnel at the department. The gain in officers would be achieved by eliminating the Los Angeles General Services Police Department and merging that agency's qualified officers with the LAPD. Villaraigosa's 2012-13 budget, which is designed to close a $238 million deficit, would also eliminate 159 civilian LAPD positions such as typists, secretaries, and other administrative staff.
Police Magazine

LAPD official presents discipline figures to oversight panel
The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday made its case for why officers often are given warnings, instead of suspensions, for drunk driving, domestic disputes and other serious types of misconduct. Deputy Chief Mark Perez appeared before the civilian Police Commission, which oversees the LAPD and has raised concerns in recent months about the department's unconventional approach to disciplining officers. Perez presented preliminary discipline figures that, he said, showed officers who received the warnings recommitted the same type of misconduct far less often than those who were suspended.
Los Angeles Times

Sherman Oaks man driving tow truck leads police on 2 1/2 hour chase
A man driving a tow truck borrowed from a friend led police on a chase from Sherman Oaks to Hollywood and Glendale on Tuesday after getting into a dispute with an officer at the scene of a collision. The chase started about 4:25 p.m. near Magnolia and Woodman avenues, then headed into Studio City and Hollywood, Los Angeles police Officer Karen Rayner said.
Los Angeles Daily News

Slain officer remembered with freeway memorial
The California State Assembly has approved Assembly Constitutional Resolution 100, which includes a provision by Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) that honors LAPD officer Ian Campbell, the victim of the 1963 Onion Field murder. The provision designates a section of California State Route 101 in Los Angeles County the "Ian J. Campbell Memorial Freeway." "Officer Campbell gave his life to protect California's citizens," Feuer said.
Sherman Oaks Patch

Man shot in neck in East Hollywood attack
A man was seriously injured in a suspected gang- related shooting in East Hollywood but is expected to survive, police said Tuesday. Police and paramedics responded to a call of a gunshot fired and people screaming in the area of Vermont and Fountain avenues at 10:06 p.m. Monday, said Officer Karen Rayner of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section. They learned that the victim had been shot in the neck.
Los Angeles Daily News

Man who allegedly stole flat-screen TV from SM restaurant arrested on roof
A man suspected of stealing a flat screen television from a Santa Monica restaurant was arrested Tuesday after an LAPD helicopter crew spotted him on a roof, police said. Police responded to a call of a burglar alarm going off at the restaurant in the 2800 block of Main Street around 1:15 a.m., said Santa Monica police Sgt. Cody Green. Officers spotted a suspect on a roof in the area and police set up a perimeter and asked for assistance from a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter, he said.
Los Angeles Daily News

Capital Punishment

District attorneys protest measure that would end death penalty
The California District Attorneys Association is opposed to the SAFE California Act, a November ballot measure that would replace the death penalty with the punishment of life in prison without parole. The measure to abolish the death penalty official qualified for the November ballot on Monday. If voters approve, 725 death row inmates would have their sentences converted to the new punishment, which would be the harshest that prosecutors could seek.
Redlands Daily Facts

Legislation

California sports-betting bill advanced by Senate panel
Gamblers may one day be able to legally bet on Lakers and Dodgers games in California under a measure that moved forward Tuesday in the Legislature. The bill was approved unanimously by the state Senate Governmental Organization Committee on its way toward the Senate floor, but even if the Legislature enacts the measure, sports betting could not begin until the federal government also lifts a ban on the activity.
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

Is a California public pension overhaul dying this year?
A key legislative committee isn't going to act on a package of public pension reforms proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown and adopted by Republicans in their own bills. Assembly pension committee chairman Warren Furutani said in a letter that surfaced Tuesday that GOP measures that mirror Brown's 12-point reform plan won't be heard in his committee.
Sacramento Bee