Chief Bratton Comments Recruit Graduation

Chief Bratton Comments
Recruit Graduation
Friday, December 8, 2024

Chief Bratton Integrity Comments

Good morning and welcome.  Welcome to this great field, where every Los Angeles Police Officer for 70 years has marched on as this group did this morning to join the ranks of this great and wonderful organization.  I welcome all of you to this ceremony, to this continuing of the tradition.  We're an organization that is quite proud of our traditions, quite proud of our reputation, and extraordinarily proud of the men and women who choose to seek to become members of this organization, and go through the most rigorous training of any organization in America, before they are privileged and honored, and have earned the right to wear the badge that they now all so proudly have on their chest.

The class president this morning, and I compliment him on his remarks, and I hope that you all listened to them closely, he talked about experiences and expectations.  The idea that this class coming in was shaped by the experiences prior to joining the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department.  The many walks of lives that they came from and how all of those came together to help strengthen the class while they were here going through the new experiences of training to become a Los Angeles Police Officer.  And how they understood that individually, they were only as strong as the totality of their class.  And that quite clearly they understood that they needed to work together, to help each other, to ensure that at the end of that class training, they were all standing there together.  He also talked about expectations.  We have very high expectations for the men and women of this department.  We have to.  There's no profession in this country, in our democratic society, of who so much is asked, to whom so much responsibility is given.  We are the protectors.  We are those who ensure that all of our residents and citizens get the benefit of the entitlements of our democracy.  We protect and we serve.  It is an obligation that is not taken lightly, cannot be taken lightly, and can never be abused.  Today, as you begin your police careers, you assume responsibilities beyond those given to any other citizen of our country.  You are given the power to take control of somebody's liberty; you are given the power in defense of your life or some other citizen's, to take a life.  To use force.  It is an awesome responsibility to take somebody's liberty; an awesome responsibility to ensure that the force you are empowered to use is always used appropriately, lawfully, constitutionally and never abused.  You cannot break the law to enforce the law.  Your role is to protect and to serve.  It is never to punish. 

Earlier this week, I had to order the arrest of a Los Angeles Police Officer, who I believe lost sight of our goal and our mission; went over the line.  As you begin your careers, think about that event.  Think about the dishonor that he brought to himself, to his family, and to this department.  And vow that you will never, under any circumstances, cross the line.  That you will never abuse the power that you were given.  If you do, if you behave like the criminals that we are asked to deal with, you'll be treated like a criminal.  We will find you, we will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we'll do our best to ensure that the stain that you might create is removed from this department.

But the good news is, that those that cross that line are so few; that the vast, vast majority do the right thing.  And when they don't, most times it's an honest mistake, an omission rather than a commission.  We will retrain, and we'll correct for that.  You're human; you make mistakes.  And in this business it so easy to make mistakes every day.  We ask so much of you.  We have tried to train you to the best of our ability but your training will continue for the rest of your careers.  That's why we focus so much attention on it.  We want to protect you to the best of our ability so you can protect all those who have a right to public safety and a right to be protected. 

Enjoy today, you and your families, it is a special day.  Thirty-six years ago I was privileged to pin another badge on my chest, and over those 36 years I have the opportunity to have many badges on my chest.  But there is none that I wear more proudly than this one.  This is the most famous one in the world.  You have the opportunity to varnish that badge to a tremendous shine.  You also must commit yourself to never doing anything intentionally or willfully to tarnish it. 

Congratulations.  We want you, we need you, we know how hard you worked to get here, to stay here, and now as you move into the streets of Los Angeles you'll have to work even harder.  But we believe you are up to that task and that challenge.

One final comment: Enjoy every day of it.  Thirty-six years have gone by like that [snap].  I can remember when I first began and I looked at somebody with 30-35 years on the job and said, my God, what are they still here for?  Why are they here?  Believe me its going to go bye in the blink of an eye; enjoy every minute of it.  This is a job that you can have a lot of fun at, you can have a lot of satisfaction at, and it is a great, great job.  And you're lucky to have it.  Congratulations.

Comments

[LAPD Hopeful]

While the Chief's speech was timely, well received, and appropriate, I want to acknowledge all 37 members of class 5A-06. Congratulations, thank you for your desire to serve, and good luck out in the trenches. Your work has only just begun, and your graduation today was an inspiration to those of us still in the process to obtain what you have worked so hard to achieve.

[JWP]

Great speach by the Chief, as police officers, everyday should be enjoyed and he is totally correct in saying that years fly by in a blink of an eye. 10 years has flown by for me, and I hope the best for these new officers.

I just hope that they don't end up at SouthWest Division. After a short stint there I had to leave. The Supervision there is horrible, officers can become very lazy as they have no incentive to work hard. The harder you work, the more beefs you end up with. And with all the beefs, supervisors are to scared to step up to the plate and back officers. And why work hard, when they unlike every other Division in the LAPD, SW DOES NOT EVEN DISPLAY THEIR TOP PERFORMERS IN ARREST, TICKETS, ETC. IN THEIR ROLL CALL ROOM OR THE HALLS. Lazy, lazy, lazy... For all of you new graduates who make it through probation, dont go to SouthWorst Div. Just some advice from a former SW Officer. And I don't think that much has changed since I've been there.

[Samantha Sang]

The public put its' trust in the police force. If the trust is lost, then people start taking the law into their own hands. I wonder if there are low performing stations meant for officers who do not live up to expectations.

[Morrison]

To JWP,
I just left SW a few Dps ago and I can tell you SW has a bad rap for lazy officers. I have 23 years with LAPD and went there as a brand new Sgt. I was constantly amazed at how hard the officers work and the great arrests they bring in. SW like every other Div is dangerously under deployed in basic A cars. Yet the men and women of SW give 100% for each other and the community. As for the complaints, the way the system is set up supervisors do not have a choice we have to take the complaint. The officers getting the most complaints are the ones bringing in the arrests but they lack expierence and maturity in talking to people. When I was young and on the job I was the same way. JWP look round at officers that bring in arrests and tickets yet don't get many complaints. You could learn from them. I left SW because I got offered a position that was good for my career not because I wanted to leave.

[JWP]

Morrison, you bring up some very good points and I do agree with you. However, I also have been a police officer for quite some time, and not only in Los Angeles. I have noticed that southwest appears to be very disorganized. You can go anywhere in the LAPD and you'll find a more organized Division, and most importantly, look at the turn over in that division. Every other division in the south,is just as understaffed and dangerous, but there is a long wait list to go to SE,Harb, and 77th. But not SW, everyone seems to want to leave. There has to be some kind of correlation there. I believe that plays a huge factor in moral. The biggest factor is the leadership, and that is what Southwest is lacking from the Supervisors on down. Dont get me wrong, there are some the best supervisors at SW, but on the overall level, its pretty poor. Now if you look at Rampart, or say Burbank PD, you'll see that supervisors treat their officers with respect and actually care a little bit about each officer that serves in that community. Look at Rampart's wait list, look at what they've done to crime in that part of LA. Thats the mold that other divisions should go by. Trust me, I am not disrespecting anyone on any level here, I'm just expressing my feelings, and the feelings of many other people who have served in that division. And yes, there are some of the best officers in SW, but I dont think they are appreciated or acknowledged by their supervisors. Why work hard in SW and get no where. How do SW officers even get evaluated, I dont think they even have a recap that Officers could look at any more. I would much rather work hard in another division, and yes, get my complaints, but in the end, at least I know that my supervisors appreciate what I do, respect me, and most importantly, I have a good work environment. And yes, that is what I have now.

[vcarlos24]

JWP, You wanna talk about SW Supervisors... I have to agree w/ you completely. Sgt2's Cl**k and Fa**k to name a few are prime examples when you talk about disrespect, favortism, and lack of leadership. I did my probation at HOBK division and it was worlds apart from what I see here. Well, Im glad that you're happy somewhere else. Im just glad that im not on patrol anymore, so I dont have to deal with the lame duck supervisors here. You are right when you say its pointless to work hard there. Ill be out very soon as well. Looking forward to a lateral transfer.

[john doe p-2]

Chief Bratton,

I have always been a HUGE supporter, and hard worker under your command. It's funny, my family is from the east coast as well. And well, unlike the west coast, people on the east coast do have a better respect for police officers. For instance chief, when you were a teenager back east, if you "wised off" to a cop, you were put in your place, then brought home. THEN at home you got put in your place just as hard by your parents. I truly believe those days are gone..(probably for the better!!). Personally speaking, through your amazing tenure, and your "east coast" roots, I find that to be a key for the boost in morale and crime reduction. I am truly proud of this department, and to have you as a chief....(NO I am not "kissing up"...).

On a different note, you mentioned the arrest of Officer Meade. You hoped that the stain he left upon this department will be removed in due time. It is clear by your statement(s), that you have beliefs of his guilt. If you recall though, you had made many press statements, you had stated something to the effect of:......"with in my long career, I know well enough not to pass judgement until ALL the facts are in, and the investigation is completed." When I first heared that, I recall calling my family back east and saying, "that's our chief!!" I told my family that with a sense of pride, respect, and gusto that every LAPD officer should have! I guess it doesn't really sit well with me though when I hear a sense of "WELL...I MADE UP MY MIND" from you. After hearing your previous press quotes, and not having a BOR (board of rights...aka:administrative hearing), nor a criminal trial by the officers peers, it seems very contradicting? I TRULY mean no dis-respect by this sir.. I have seen one too many times a brief statement in a locker room, or black and white fall on deaf ears. But a statement to the media, or even the LAPD blog.... will never fall on deaf ears. It's public media...

If the officer is found guilty, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you, and voice the negative comments about this officers actions. This officer has been harrased publically enough.. it shouldn't happen like that, but it does. Can we (me included), hold back on the negative public comments until the right time and place (like after a FAIR trial)? I think the officer (as well as anyone) deserves that..including his family, freinds, and loved ones. Just my two cents sir..

[P-II Dog]

I am going to also agree with the officer who wrote about Southworst. I wheeled there about 8 yrs ago. I would never go back. I am in 77th now and responded to a radio call in SW,a domestic violence call. We requested a camera from photos and a SW unit responded and was very helpful in our camera request, however lack the pride to handle thier own div. I spoke with the w/c who responded in true fashion, (I think it's our new dept slogan)" Its ok". Think about it, everytime you are not going to be back by a Sgt. they follow it up with "it's Ok" just do it. So youg officer have pride in being a LAPD ofcr, and remember when you sign off on that BS 128 "its OK"

[l.a.cop]

I used to be a supporter of Bratton, but not anymore. I think he has shown himself to be as political as the Clintons. I dont think he cares about anyone but himself, and how he can make himself look good. He is quick to take credit for all the good that street cops and detectives do, but he wont take any of the blame for the likes of Chief Berkow. In fact he still speaks highly of Berkow. Would he speak up for a patrol sgt accused of fraternization? i doubt it. I cant wait for Bratton to leave, but there will always be another opportunist waiting.

[Lt. Paul Vernon]

Joe Doe P2:

I was reading your post with interest, then thought something seemed a little amiss.

Chief Bratton was not referencing Meade at all when he alluded to removing the stain. The chief was speaking to the graduates directly as to what would happen should any of them choose to dishonor the badge. I included that portion below:

"We will find you, we will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we'll do our best to ensure that the stain that you might create is removed from this department."

And you are right, time and due process will determine if that measure is necessary for Officer Meade.

PV

[JB]

I find it interesting the Chief is trumpeting the arrest of an LAPD officer. He has essentially all ready decided the arrested officers guilt. Yet a certain ex deputy chief (Berkow) was in blatant violation of department policy for years and everyone looked the other way. (I heard rumors a couple of years ago, and if I knew, how could the chief not know?) The ex-chiefs arrogant actions have the potential to cost the city millions. The female supervisor who is suing the city had an excellent reputation in regards to her productivity and work product. The supervisor Berkow was sleeping with at a city facility(!) was a sub par officer at Metro. She is a horrible supervisor at Metro now, yet somehow she gets one of the most coveted Sgt II spots in the City. The Dept posted a lame press release essentially refusing to comment because of "pending litigation". This whole incident is just another example of the command staff protecting their own, talk about the code of silence!

[SB Cop]

JWP-FYI Harb does not count as South Bureau.

vcarlos24-You could learn from Sgt. II Fa**k. As Sgt. II Fa**k says,

"There are only 3 divisions in the LAPD. They all start with and 'S.' (Southeast, Southwest, and 77th) There are 16 Substations you can choose from."

There is a lot of pride in the hard working leadership of South Bureau.

As an officer who has worked in Southwest and Southeast, I can assure ther is much to be learned from the Southwest leadership. If you can stand the heat go back to your Substation. However, while you are in Southwest, learn as much as you can from Sgt. II Fa**k and other veteran South Bureau Leaders.

[South end copper]

This is a direct response to VCarlos24. I did probation at SOW and wheeled to 77th, so I feel I have a basis to compare the two. While I agree about some of the negative comments directed at Southwest division, I will challenge as strongly as I can without disrespecting another police officer your comments on Sgt II CL**K. He is an outstanding supervisor, and outstanding police officer and I have never met a supervisor at Southwest division that cares more about his officers. If you are mistaking his sometimes gruff demeanor as "disrespect" or "Lack of leadership", then you are one of those officers that needs to "get out of SOW". He is fair, caring and the only officers I have ever seen him be truly tough on are some of the slap ass, lazy officers who need a good kick in the pants. Don't ever confuse the poor field supervisors who lack a backbone with Sgt Cl**k. I agree there are morale problems at SOW, but I can say for certain that Sgt. Cl**k has nothing to do with them.

[Manny]

A late reply to those individual comments made in December of 2006, of SOW. First and foremost, "CHABALITA" which means little girl or better yet "WEAK STEAK SAUCE".

Instead of working to try and make things better for our Officers, our Watch, and our Division, you choose to be part of the problem and in your own cowardly way conviently threw your stones.

Anyway I have worked in Southwest from 1997 as a P-III, Senior Lead, and presently as a Sergeant, and never have been more proud to work around Officers and Detectives solely dedicated to combat crime and put criminials in jail.

The caliber of personnel you find in Southwest arent the 'CHIONES" (cry babies)that write letter's to one another, but the kind of Officer's that care to give the best they can, despite thier trials and tribulations. I was there when they installed the craziness that developed out of the 1.28 system, but did we roll over and died, nope, we just went on plugging away and hoped for the best. There were many times I felt no one really cared, but then we would be reminded by a caring watch commander or a field sergeant thanking us for the good work we did.

That was all I needed. You know something, if you would have looked back during your entrance interview and recalled why you wanted to be an LAPD officer, I hope it wasnt to become a big Chione. I came on to make a change for the better in any neighborhood plauged with crime and gangs, I never thought it would be easy.

My father God rest his sole once told me: "Manuelito when a man loves his work, he never has any problem expalining or showing what he dose to anyone who asks"

Its not easy working here at Southwest, but then again its not for the weak hearted, this is a hot shot division with hard working officers, those who are afraid of a little hard work should stay away and stop wasting our time.. Thanks.."Que Viva Soowesss".....

[Mac V]

Manny, I like your post, but can you go easy on the foreign janguage bit. This is an English-language blog. If you want the Mexican version, please start one on Telemundo or something similar. Thanks 'amigo'.

[john]

hey fellas, whats all this talk about Southworst??!!! This is a long blog, and everyone has so much to say about SouthWorst. Well, heres my 2 cents... Southworst is a good division to work, since coppers who work there get a very good experience and get used to working very fast. However, there are definitely lazy officers who work there, more so than any other division that i've worked, and i've worked quite a few. There are some good supervisors, but there are some weak ones as well, such as Sgt. Rivers for one. I hated working for that guy, he only looks out for himself, and has no idea how to be a leader... How about leading from the front??? There are a few other weak ones there, but i wont metion. Southworst was a good experience for me, but I know a lot of good coppers who got burned and Capt. Craig just added fuel to their complaints... He is the worst Commanding Officer in LAPD, in my humble opinion. I think that he is so disconnected with how patrol is now, he should go on a ride-along with patrol coppers for a month to become familiar with it, and become familiar with all the nuckleheads that give officers bs complaints. Overall, i would have to agree with the Southworst haters. There is no motivation to work hard there, the more you work, the more complaints you get. How about recognizing some of the hard working officers there? maybe that would change things a bit.