LACP.org
 
.........
LAPD Chief's Monthly Message
April 2015
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LAPD Chief
Charlie Beck 		  LAPD Chief's Message
April 2015

by Chief of Police Charlie Beck

Recently, we have come under sharp criticism regarding the training and abilities of the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a homeless man on skid row. Critics opined that any four officers who could not take a single unarmed suspect into custody without resorting to deadly force must be incompetent. I will not comment on the specific officers involved in the shooting or whether the tactics employed were proper. As you all know the investigation is far from complete, but I would like to comment on this mistaken belief that physical conflicts are completely predictable and controllable.

Los Angeles Police officers are the best trained in the nation, but with that training comes the realization that the dynamics of extreme physical conflict are such that every instance is different, and every situation has the potential to escalate quickly with deadly results. Because policing is done so publically and has been the subject of so many portrayals in works of fiction, everyone believes they are a subject matter expert.

During this time of criticism, take a moment to know that you are supported by the vast majority of the public, and most importantly, by me. I know you are the best trained officers in the world. Continue to do the great work you do every day, and reflect on the number of people you've helped throughout your career and the many more who depend on you to keep them safe in the future.

LAPD Reserve Officer Appreciation Month

The month of April marks our annual appreciation and recognition of our Reserve Corps program. Many of you know that almost 40 years ago, I began my law enforcement career as an LAPD reserve officer, and it's a program I'm very proud of. I know firsthand how reserve officers are a tremendous force multiplier for our Department. Each day reserve officers work different assignments side by side with full-time police officers in a seamless way. The public has no idea reserve officers put their lives on the line for no pay.

Reserve officers are the truest form of community-based policing. The value reserve officers bring to the table is immense, and their hard work and dedication are a priceless benefit to the City. Reserve officers are not content to play a passive role in life. They get involved for the betterment of our community, and by doing so, they live up to the Reserve Corps' motto, “To be a reserve is to be twice a citizen.” In your daily assignments, as you work alongside a reserve officer, please join me in recognizing and thanking them for their service.

Thank you for all you do and be safe,
Charlie
........................................

Follow on Twitter @LAPDChiefBeck
Follow on Instagram @LAPDChiefCharlieBeck

http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/

Chief Beck Hosts Muslim Community Forum

On the evening of Thursday, April 2, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck hosted the Department's biannual Muslim Community Forum at the Getty Museum.  Several officials joined Chief Beck for the event, including Assistant United States Attorney Susan J. DeWitt and LAPD Inspector General Alexander Bustamante, along with Muslim community and business leaders and many others.

In his opening remarks, Chief Beck talked about liberties of the individual as a vital cornerstone for American society.  Continuing in that vein, he went on to discuss the importance of relationships.  “That's what this forum is about,” said Chief Beck, “making sure we have a relationship [with the community] of trust, openness and frankness.” He emphasized these qualities enable issues to be resolved before they become “unresolvable.”

Chief Beck described an example of the kind of partnership he supports between officers and community members.  He believes Muslims, like other citizens, want to understand their local police officers, and the officers, in turn, want to understand the people they serve.

“Just like a cop on the beat stops by a store, stops by a school, to build relationships with those he may need to either help or be helped by in the future; that's what we do in these forums,” said Chief Beck. “Thank you for being here.”  

April 03, 2015


http://www.lapdonline.org