Law Enforcement

In LAPD shake-up, Beck reassigns three of his deputies
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck has reassigned three of his deputies, including the head of the department's internal affairs division, in a shake-up the chief said is meant to usher in "fresh perspectives." The most notable of the moves will see Deputy Chief Mark Perez, who has run internal affairs for several years and oversaw a dramatic shift in how the department handles discipline, be replaced by another deputy chief, Debra McCarthy.
Los Angeles Times

Federal judge's ruling vindicates actions of LAPD in officer-involved shooting
A ruling by a federal judge last week reminds us again of the crucial role the City Attorney's Office has in the criminal justice system. The tragic shooting of a 19-year-old Winnetka man unfolded on live television in April 2012 after LAPD officers tried to stop him for erratic driving on the 101 Freeway. Although it turned out Abdul Arian was not armed and carrying only a cell phone, the video shot by news crews showed him getting out of his car at the end of the pursuit and taking a shooting-type stance toward pursuing officers just before they opened fire.
LAPPL Blog

Alleged L.A. car thief stymied by manual transmission, can't drive stick -- or elude cops
An inability to steal an auto with a clutch and manual transmission sent a car thief to jail Sunday in the Mid-City area of Los Angeles, a police sergeant said. Officers saw the suspect driving erratically about 4:50 a.m. near 18th Street and Westmoreland Avenue, said Los Angeles police Sgt. J. Kevany of the Olympic station. "Officers saw the guy driving a stick shift -- like he didn't know how to drive a stick shift," Kevany said.
City News Service

LAPD asks for public's help with car vs. motorcycle collision in Chatsworth
Police Friday asked for the public's help in their investigation of a car-versus-motorcycle collision in Chatsworth that killed the motorcyclist and injured a passenger in the car. The collision occurred around 2 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Devonshire Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division, which is investigating the fatality.
City News Service

Armed hot prowl suspect shot by LAPD officers in West Hills
An armed hot prowl suspect was shot and critically wounded during a confrontation with police officers in West Hills on Sunday, officials said. A woman who was spending her first night in her new third-floor apartment unit in the 7100 block of Woodlake Avenue said she heard her doorbell and a knock at the door around 5:30 a.m. The tenant, Billie Wittman, said she got out of bed, went to the door and saw a man outside holding a gun. She called 911.
ABC7

New efforts to curb cellphone theft
Disturbed by the nationwide epidemic of cellphone robberies and thefts, law enforcement officials across the country are looking to the wireless industry to help find a cure. In San Francisco, where half the robberies were phone-related last year, District Attorney George Gascon is calling on major companies in nearby Silicon Valley to create new technology such as a "kill switch" to permanently and quickly disable stolen smart phones, making them worthless to thieves.
Associated Press

The Courts

California's high court to rule on city bans of pot stores
The California Supreme Court will decide the fate of about 200 city bans on medical marijuana dispensaries Monday, resolving years of conflicting holdings by lower courts. During a hearing in February, several justices indicated they favored upholding city bans. The justices' comments suggested the court would rule that local governments have wide policing powers that state medical marijuana laws have not usurped. If the court rules in favor of the bans, many more communities are expected to zone dispensaries out of existence.
Los Angeles Times

City Election

Wendy Greuel calls for reforms on felon approvals
Capping off a week when real estate developers with criminal records became an issue in the Los Angeles mayor's race, candidate Wendy Greuel is calling for reforms in city dealings with felons. In a move that allowed her to criticize rival Eric Garcetti over his backing of a felon's project in Hollywood, Greuel said developers should reveal their criminal background when seeking any taxpayer money for projects.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

Los Angeles to ban large-capacity clips
The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to ban the possession of ammunition clips that carry more than 10 rounds, closing what they called a loophole in state law but facing a possible legal challenge from the gun lobby. Councilman Paul Krekorian said the city proposal fills what he described as a loophole in state law that already bans the sale and importation of large-capacity magazines. The new city proposal would include a ban on possession of such clips.
Los Angeles Daily News

L.A. City Council is going after 'swatters'
Hoping to bring an end to an expensive and dangerous prank, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday called for a new law that would allow the city to go after "swatters" to reimburse the city for phony 9-1-1 calls. It was sparked by a number of high-profile incidents where SWAT teams were sent to the homes of celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Russell Brand, P. Diddy, Asthon Kutcher and Miley Cyrus as well as state Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, who has introduced a state law carrying stiff penalties for the phony calls.
Los Angeles Daily News