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Chief Martin Pomeroy
Thank you!
Dear
Chief Pomeroy:
We wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the thousands
of community policing advocates of Los Angeles, civilian and
sworn, to thank you for your service to us all.
Your leadership came at an important time. The Department needed
to be guided by a steady hand, firm yet fair, and the community
needed to feel its contributions were welcomed once again.
In a few short months you accomplished both. |
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You began your 32 year career with the Los Angeles Police Department
in 1969, and served as a Deputy Chief from 1993 until your retirement
in December 2000. In May 2002, the Police Commission selected you
as the Los Angeles Police Department’s Temporary Chief of Police.
Perhaps they could not have made a better choice.
Time and again we saw you demonstrate a style of leadership that
resonated with the steady strength of a man committed to guiding
the LAPD, and the City it serves, to a place where healing and cooperation
could begin.
We are all the better for this.
Here are the words you used in May, 2002, as you wrote your:
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"Welcome
Message to Department Employees"
"First, let me say that it is an honor and a privilege
to return to the Department and serve as your Chief of Police
for the coming months. I served with this proud organization
for 32 years and I know without a doubt that the LAPD is the
premier law enforcement agency in the world. It is my desire
to enhance the sense of pride and commitment that made us
a world leader. I believe in this organization and I am pleased
to be a part of it’s continuing legacy."
"I pledge to work with you to make the LAPD a better
place to work. I pledge fairness and reason during my administration.
I will have high expectations of all of us. Together we will
make this city a safer and better place to live. The test
of how well we do will include whether we reduce the crime
rate. We will also be measured by how well we work with the
public and the officials that they have elected to represent
them. We will be required to make changes in how we police
this city. Therefore, we will also be measured by how willingly
we embrace and implement these changes. I am asking you to
accept and support the changes that are now required of us.
It is time to renew our commitment and dedicate ourselves
to the betterment of this Department. We have been through
tumultuous time, influenced by scandal and internal discord.
Tough times are nothing new. We will come through these difficulties
stronger and better than ever."
"This agency was the best largely because we believed
that we were. Our people have always been our greatest strength.
That is why I now turn to you with every confidence that you
can measure up to all of those expectations placed upon us.
I urge you to do your best at all times and to take pride
in your efforts. Do not hesitate to claim that you belong
to the number one police department in the world. I sincerely
believe that you do, and that this Department is still capable
of greatness. Now is the time to demonstrate that greatness.
We must reduce crime, enhance public confidence and strengthen
community and governmental relationships."
"Together, we can make Los Angeles a great place to live
and the LAPD a great place to work ... "
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Recently
you have received standing ovations when introduced in public. You
deserve this.
The Academy is full, officers are returning to the ranks, crime
is on the way down, and the community has once again begun to believe
its participation is welcomed by LAPD.
Many have said they regret "losing" you, but we here at
Los Angeles Community Policing know your heart will always be with
the Department and community you have served so well.
We hope you'll continue to check in with us at LACP.org knowing
we will welcome any contributions you care to make over the months
ahead. This is your forum, too, Chief.
The well over 10,000 readers who stop by each month will want to
hear from you. Yours is a unique perspective.
As you prepare to re-retire to your outdoor life in Montana, to
rejoin Pam, your wife since 1968, walk tall and proud.
You've
done what you promised back in late June, when you spoke at a Townhall
event that preceded the final "Community Criteria for the New
Chief" meeting. Here are your closing remarks:
Chief
Pomeroy Speech, June 27th, 2002, Occidental College
" ... my goal is to turn over an organization that is proud,
that's working together, that has its eye fixed on a spot on
the horizon we're all marching towards, so that we can legitimately
say to the new Chief, just a few months from now, 'Here is YOUR
new organization, YOU should be proud of it as we are' ... " |
You
have achieved your goal, and we thank you sincerely on behalf of
the officers and residents active in the quest for a commitment
to a real community policing philosophy and partnership in Los Angeles.
We remain in your debt, and,
Yours in service,
Bill Murray
Director
Los Angeles Community Policing
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EDITOR'S
NOTE: The next Chief will be sworn in during a "Change of Command
Ceremony" where Chief Martin Pomeroy will turn over control of the
Los Angeles Police Department.
The event will occur at the Police Academy on Monday, October 28th,
at 11am. The public is invited to attend.
This will be the culmination of a process set in motion this past
Spring, when the Board of Police Commissioners denied then Chief
Bernard Parks a second five year term.
Please attend to show your appreciation for Chief Pomeroy as he
steps down and your support of the LAPD and its new commanding officer,
Chief William Bratton!
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