Notes from the December 16, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

•    Police Chief William Bratton announced that overall gang crime will finish down for the year.  He added there is going to be an announcement regarding a major gang initiative at the end of January. Chief Bratton also said the Department is the most diverse it has ever been with 10% black, 46% Hispanic, 5% Asian and 39% white officers on the force.

•    The verbal presentation and discussion by the Department, relative to the current status of home garaging authorities was given by Assistant Chief Sharon Papa.  In light of the city’s budget constraints, the Department looked at its home garaging authorities again.  Chief Papa said it was necessary to pull back all non-essential home garaging.  Typically personnel who receive 10 emergency call outs get a vehicle and after a review, the Department pulled back 115 home garaged vehicles.  The individuals were given a 30 day notice prior to the vehicle being pulled back.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2008, relative to the Blake-Justice Consent Decree Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2007-2008, was approved and transmitted to the Personnel Department, Public Safety Bureau.

•    The Department’s report, dated November 24, 2008, relative to the Hunter-La Lay Consent Decree Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 2007/2008, as approved and transmitted to the Office of the City Attorney.  Captain Kevin McClure said education has become a key component of promotions and the Department is working with the Information Technology Agency to document the education of employees.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 8, 2008, relative to a request for payment of reward offer to individual(s) for providing information instrumental in the conviction of Frank Harris, (council file no. 04-0010-s55, renewed 08-2408), was approved and transmitted to the Public Safety Committee.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 8, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Grant Augmentation Award for the 2007/08 Internet Crimes Against Children Program (ICAC) from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor’s Office and City Council concurrently.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, in response to City Council Motion (CF #08-0615), relative to the Communication with Gang Intervention Workers, was approved and transmitted the entire matter to the City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 12, 2008, relative to City Council Motion (CF #04-1076), relative to Bicycle Licensing, as presented by Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.  Chief Diaz said the Department was looking to do away with the bicycle licensing and that bike licensing is not the only way to recover and recognize a bike. 

•    The Department’s report, dated November 20, 2008, relative to the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/2010, December 3, 2008, relative to the Revisions to Fiscal year (FY) 2009/2010 Proposed Budget (Second Edition), and December 11, 2008, relative to the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/2010 – Third Edition, was approved.  Police Administrator III Rhonda Sims-Lewis stated the Department is co-operating with the city in making budget cuts.  She said the Department cut its budget by 1% at the request of the mayor, saying it saved the City $10 million in Overtime this year.  She added the Budget and Finance Committee was pleased with the cuts.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 4, 2008, relative to a request to award the Police Distinguished Service Certificate to the 22 individuals specified, was approved. 

•    The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, relative to Audit Recommendation Status Report, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/2009, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 1, 2008, relative to the Quarterly Status Report, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/09, was continued.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 4, 2008, relative to the Audiotapes used in Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigations (AD No. 08-028), was approved.

•    The Executive Director’s Report, dated December 11, 2008, relative to the Official Police Garage Towing and Storage rates 2009 – posting completed, was approved.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 15, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to the Communication Devices for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, was approved.  Captain William Scott said the LAX subdivision and the three area traffic divisions had no TDD devices but have since added some.  He added if the City has the ability to purchase video phone equipment, it would be very beneficial to the Department.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 3, 2008, relative to the Foreign Language and Telecommunications device for the Deaf Telephone Calls Audit – (AD No. 07-026) – Recommendation Item Nos. 3 and 5, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, relative to the Supervisory Performance Evaluations, Fourth Quarter, Fiscal Year 2007/2008 (AD No. 07-023) – Recommendation item Nos. 1 and 2, was received and filed.

•    The Department’s reports, dated October 30, 2024 and December 8, 2008, relative to a special order entitled, “Policy Against Discrimination in Employment Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Gender Expression,” which will revise Department policy and amend Section 1/285 of the Department Manual, were approved, received and filed.

Comments

[George Markis]

This is good news and we like hearing this information. The 22 officers getting their awards defiantly deserve them. Keep up the good work. I understand what you Leo's are up against. This not an easy job you folks are doing. I have removed my family from the troubled areas in the valley due to reading these blogs. I have educated myself about gang crime and have learned that the LAPD cannot be a protection force. . The LAPD arrives usually after a crime has Happened (death). I have trained to protect my family and have my oldest son in the Young Marine. After two years he is a Young Marine NCO CPL. I tear up when I'm watching him participating in the color guard. I ask all parents to become responsible for their children. This street gang stupidly is due to bad parenting I feel. I will always arm myself in order to protect my family and myself. The way I see this situation going on here is that I need to take the personnel responsibly to protect myself. I have been carrying a weapon for years now and have applied for the Utah carry conceal weapon permit. Which I have currently. I am allowed to legally carry a weapon legally in 37 states. California is not allowing carrying a concealed firearm to protect myself so I do this illegally. I rather be caught illegally carrying a firearm by LAPD than a bad guy. The new law that my favorite Mayor has pass says I can be evicted from my home by my landlord after been convicted of a weapons violation . I am a law-bidding citizen. I have been in the armed forces and strive to be a good citizen but being unarmed and vulnerable to criminals is not an option. I rather die firing my weapon than dieing doing nothing after being asked, “where are you from?” Criminals will get their weapons thru illegal channels is leaving our law bidding citizens of Los Angels at a great threat. All I can say is training and more training in self-defense protection thru firearm. The only way to deal with a firearm is a firearm.

Concerned Citizen.

LAPD Stay Safe.

[Ed O'Shea]

I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year to all my fellow Officers and citizens.
Alan Skobin is the only Police Commissioner not getting coal in his Stocking this Christmas!

[Loves LA LEOs]

Re: diversity, you might want to include the numbers regarding women and gay officers, who also make the department a stronger force for good in the world. Just a suggestion.

[on the brite side]

Mr Markis, i am glad that you have done what you can to educate and protect yourself and your family. If you need to carry a firearm to protect yourself, i will not be the one to tell you not to,because i will not be there when you need to be protected by a firearm. This world can be so upside down, and in the end,the criminals are those that are protected the most. Majority of the the time,it is best to be the adult,to be the better person, and just walk away. BUT sometimes you can't. Sometimes you have to confront those who are trying to harm you,or your family. The LAPD as a department will not condone the breaking of any law,but SOME officers that have to deal with the dirt bags that try and make life a living hell for the good people understand what you Mr Markis may one day have to do. I would rather notify your family that you were arrested for carrying a concealed firearm,and for killing an armed robber,than to to tell them you were killed by an armed robber. I urge you to use common sense,and never emotion when carrying a firearm,and to use it as a last resort,and understand that officers do not know your good intentions,and when confronted by the police,you calmly advise them of your handgun,so that you do not become another vict. I, like you, am willing to do whatever it takes to protect my family from people that do not respect themselves or what i have worked very hard to accomplish. remember,the street cops understand you,just dont EVER put us in a bad spot. protect your family Mr Markis,I will.