Chief’s Message May 2012

Chief’s Message
May 2012

Police Memorial Month
The month of May is recognized as Police Memorial Month.  During this period, we take the time to honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice to our profession and those who we’ve lost while serving in the Military.  

To date, 204 Los Angeles Police Department officers have died in the line of duty; 53 have passed during my time as a police officer.  Many of those who have passed are friends, all of them are family.  It is important that we honor them through our remembrance.

Police officers are asked to do extraordinary things.  Police officers are asked to risk their lives for those that they don’t know, and for their law enforcement brothers and sisters.  That risk is only worthwhile if we honor them.  Take time to visit the Los Angeles Police Department’s Memorial To Fallen Officers, and recognize those who have given so much for so many.   

Memorial Ceremony
On Thursday, May 3rd, we will host our annual Police Memorial Ceremony at the Ronald F. Deaton Auditorium at the Police Administration Building.  This event will feature a reading of the names of the fallen officers, as an airship performs a fly over.  Many of the family members of those who have been killed in the line of duty are scheduled to attend.  This is an excellent opportunity for those of us who have survived to show our recognition for these fallen heroes. It is only through honoring them that their sacrifices are repaid.  

During the month of May, let us show our support and pay homage for those who have died in the line of duty by wearing the mourning band on your badge.  Please do so with pride and in tribute to our fallen comrades.  

Above & Beyond
For the first time ever, the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart Ceremonies will be combined at this year’s Above & Beyond, Medal of Valor and Purple Heart Ceremony.  The event is scheduled for May 10th, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hollywood and Highland Center.  This is a great event that honors our heroes; those who have sacrificed so much, who have performed so brilliantly and have made our profession proud.  This year’s 15 recipients will etch their names in the history books alongside those who have displayed courage and embodied the heroism of the Los Angeles Police Department.  

United States Police and Fire Championships
This year’s United States Police and Fire Championships will take place June 16th – 24th, in San Diego, California.  Approximately 10,000 police and firefighters will attend and participate in everything from badminton to bowling, motocross to softball, and basketball.  This is a great way to show your pride in the Los Angeles Police Department, and pride in your own athletic accomplishments.  I look forward to seeing many of you at the various sporting venues.  

History of Hollenbeck
In 1927, Hollenbeck Station was named in honor of Mr. John Edward Hollenbeck and family.  Mr. Hollenbeck was an influential businessman who purchased approximately 6,700 acres of land on the east side of the Los Angeles River and established a variety of businesses in the area.  Hollenbeck Park, located on the corner of Saint Louis and Fourth Street, was erected from land donated to the City by Mr. Hollenbeck.
   
Hollenbeck’s Fallen Heroes

Police Officer Steven Gajda, Serial No. 27686, was shot when he stopped to investigate a loud party on December 31, 1997.  Officer Gajda died from his injuries on January 1, 1998.  

Police Officer Jerry Maddox, Serial No. 14317, was shot and killed when he stopped to investigate a loud party on August 19, 1969.

Significant Hollenbeck Events

-Joseph Wambaugh, author of the The New Centurions and the Onion Field, retired from Hollenbeck Station.

-Kathleen Soliah (A.K.A. Sarah Jane Olson) placed a pipe bomb under a Hollenbeck detective’s vehicle in August 1975.  The device did not detonate.

-Officers assigned to the Hollenbeck Station arrested Richard Ramirez, the infamous “Night Stalker” in 1985.

-On October 16, 2010, to honor Rudy de Leon, the first Mexican American and Latino to hold the position of Captain at Hollenbeck, the station was retitled the “Rudy de Leon / Hollenbeck Community Police Station.”

Closing
The things I speak of today; The Medal of Valor and Purple Heart, deaths in the line of duty, all these things transcend the financial burdens that are set upon us by the city’s economic issues.  It’s been a tough couple of years, with the financial picture not looking any better in the coming year.  As a result of these hurdles, the city will continue its struggle to meet the goals of public safety; but I have absolute faith in the men and women of the LAPD.  

What I ask of you is simple; at the start of each shift always remember to do the right thing.  Whether it’s in your private or professional life, always make the best decision based on your training and experience, your morals and your heart.   

Be safe,
Charlie

Comments

[BWop]

Today's L.A. Times (5/16/12) has an article with this heading: "City must pay cop $1 million in retaliation case."

Chief Beck is going to be yet another chief in the past 20 years who has done NOTHING about incompetent, vindictive, and arrogant Captains and above within the LAPD. Those of us who do the hard work and give our lives to keep this city safe; those of us from lieutenants and below who actually make things happen so criminals are identified, caught, and prosecuted, have a computer program (TEAMS II) and divisions with hundreds of employees (Audits and Control, Internal Affairs, Constitutional Policing) monitoring everything we do.

If we leave a box unchecked on a report, you can be sure an audit will result in an avalanche of paper being dumped on the culprit, initiated from above.

Yet, when Captains and above violate the law, Department policy, and the rights of those below them costing the city millions of dollars in payouts from funds the city doesn't have, those people are promoted and transferred to other assignments to continue their self-aggrandizement and enjoyment of their impunity and immunity.

ANY Captain and above, by whose direct action or inaction, cause the city to pay court judgements in the millions to their employees should be FIRED. There is a reason Captains and above were removed from civil service protections by the public in an election.

We are still waiting for the first chief to have the guts to do it and restore integrity and justice to the upper levels of the Department. Captains who cost the city millions of dollars in civil judgements are still working in stations throughout the LAPD. Why?

[Restore Respect for Leadership]

That was the reason the City went to outside Chiefs of Police. Bratton tried to do it his way and had the flexibility at first. But in the end the politicians were in charge. I feel that if we are to be heard on this issue the League must act promptly. It's concerning because we no longer have faith in our leadership at every level. Everyone is affected because it impacts our Budget which inturn impact's our Contract. Enough said.

[Ed O'Shea]

Very well put BWop. I agree 100%. We have a couple limp lieutenants remaining on bands 1 and 2, and several spread throughout the other bands, that have already cost the City Of Los Angeles millions, yet the Chief is powerless to bypass these demonstrably incompetent sycophants? There has got to be a way for the City leaders to stop these ill-thought promotions and save the city in future litigation.
I would liken our status quo to addiction. Once you know you have a problem, the responsibility is on YOU to seek help and correct your behavior. Now we've known for years that there is a clear and present problem with the promotional process in promoting incompetent individuals, yet we fail as a department to remove the cancerous behavior and individuals who embrace it. Or at the very least, stop them in their promotional upward trajectory, so they do not have a chance to negatively infect the department and city on a greater scale.
With social media and technology like it is today, it's time to bring back the grading system, in a constructive manner. Not to beat up the managers you disagree with, but true intellectual honesty on how these people lead, or fail to lead. Like it or not, these people are GOING TO BE OUTED, for their failed self-serving ways. These people are so far off from the type of leader Chief Beck is, that it must disgust him that they have attained the status they have. So Chief Beck could be the first one to get this department back on the right track. I know he has the mettle to do it, so lets see if he does. He's got to put the right people in the correct positions, and ASAP, or I fear his legacy will be soured by these less than mediocre, incompetent, self-righteous Johnny-come-lately's that cost our city millions and more importantly, her safety.
To all the good leaders we have on the LAPD, I say thank you (And there are quite a few). To all the ones who have forgotten that you are "Public Servants" not "Self Servants", I say your time abusing the system with no public accountability is limited.
Chief Beck, most of us out here know you have what it takes. Your experience speaks for itself.

[FTO]

I feel the same way BWop, however; once they get up to Captain and above it then turns into the good ole boy network. I learned many years ago that to the department the career of one Captain is worth more then the morale of hundreds of officers. They would rather take the risk of a lawsuit then get rid of upper management. Shame, isn't it?