LAPD Blog

Class 4-14 Recruit Graduation

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October 3, 2024 – A Los Angeles Police Academy graduation ceremony was staged this morning at the LAPD Administration Building plaza in downtown Los Angeles.  

Today’s ceremony featured 22 graduates.  Of the 22 graduates, 19 will be sworn for the LAPD, one will be sworn for Los Angeles World Airports police, and two will be sworn for the University of Southern California police.  All recruits have completed 920 hours of training over the course of 24 weeks and proudly stood before Department command staff, dignitaries and hundreds of spectators composed mostly of family and friends.  

Attending on behalf of Chief Beck was Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, Director of the Office of Operations and a 37-year veteran of the Department.  This was a momentous occasion for Chief Paysinger, as his son Steven Paysinger was one of the graduates.  In his commencement address, Chief Paysinger emphasized what he believes are the two most significant principles of assuring success as Los Angeles police officers.  

The first principle was the importance of always putting family first as a “circle of strength.” Elaborating on that topic, Chief Paysinger offered an insightful analogy:  “It’s been said that having somewhere to go is home, having someone to love is family, and having both is a blessing.”  The second principle Chief Paysinger stressed to the graduates was that they “must live with integrity,” a quality often accentuated in the Department.  “Integrity,” he said, “isn’t just a core value or simply being honest.  It’s about steadfast adherence to your moral principles.”     

Recruits will be expected to hit the ground running as many will be deployed in the field at their respective LAPD divisions beginning as soon as Sunday, October 5.  As always, recruits tossed their caps high into the air at the end of the ceremony to symbolize their jubilation and the promise of success as Los Angeles police officers.       

LAPD Receives $100,000 Award from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department received a grant for the 18th consecutive years from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Captain Kelly P. Mulldorfer, Commanding Officer of Detective Support and Vice Division who oversees ABC enforcement activities on a citywide level, said that the funds will be used to assist the LAPD in reducing the negative effects of alcohol-related crimes and to improve the quality of life in and around ABC licensed establishments within the City of Los Angeles. The Grant Assistance Program has been an essential part of vice enforcement for the City of Los Angeles for the past 18 years and has been directly responsible for closing over 100 problematic ABC licensed locations since the inception of Operation ABC.
 
For more information, contact Sgt. Garcia or Sgt. Nemecek, Detective Support and Vice Division at 213-486-0910. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.                    

 

101-Year-Old Man killed By Hit-And-Run Driver

Los Angeles:   Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division detectives are investigating a hit and run collision that killed 101-year-old Jose Noriega, a Los Angeles resident.  Detectives are looking for additional witnesses.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, around 6 a.m., a hit and run traffic collision occurred on Lorena Street and Opal Street.

The suspect’s car, a 1997 Chevy Astro van was traveling northbound on Lorena Street when it collided with Noriega, who was walking eastbound on Lorena Street in a marked crosswalk.

The suspect drove away without stopping to rendering aid or exchanging information, in violation of 20001VC, Hit and Run Felony.

Concerned witnesses followed the suspect a short distance and blocked his path. The witnesses detained the suspect until the police arrive.

The driver of the Chevy Astro, has been identified as 41- years-old Ricardo Avalos, a Los Angeles resident.  Avalos was arrested for 192 (c) (1) PC-Vehicular Manslaughter and was later booked at Metropolitan Detention Center. His bail is set at $50,000.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Central Traffic Division detectives at 818-833-3713 or Detective Felix Pedilla at 213-486-0753.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

66-Year-Old Missing Man in Need of Medical Attention

UPDATE
October 3, 2024
Mr. Fernando Escutia has been located and no longer considered a Missing Person.

 

Los Angeles:  The family of Fernando Escutia and the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Mr. Escutia.

On September 30, 2014, around 11:15 a.m., Mr. Escutia was last seen in the 800 block of North Genesee in the City of Los Angeles. Mr. Escutia suffers from dementia and diabetes and is in need of medical attention.  His family is very concerned for him.

Fernando Escutia is described as a 66-year-old male Hispanic, with gray hair, brown eyes, stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighs around 145 pounds.  

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Herrera, please contact Rampart Division at 213-484-3400. During non- business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Los Angeles Resident Arrested in Sexual Assaults

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department detectives have arrested a Los Angeles resident on three felony counts of sexual assault involving two women.  The first case occurred in 2012 and the second one in 2014.  There is also a third case, which is still pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking for the public’s help to identify them. On September 24, 2014, 33-year-old Kai Andrew Bannon was arrested at his home in the 300 block of North Sierra Bonita on a felony warrant stemming from the 2012 and 2014 sexual assault cases.  Both assaults occurred at his Los Angeles residence.  The first victim met Bannon when she responded to a roommate wanted advertisement. The second victim met him through a friend. On September 25, 2014, Kai Andrew Bannon was arraigned by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on three felony counts including rape and sodomy. Bannon is in custody and will be scheduled for a preliminary hearing at a later date.  His bail is set at $300,000. Bannon is originally from Oregon and is currently a student at a local university.  In 2010, Bannon was arrested for rape in the State of Massachusetts, but was found not guilty at trial. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Operations-West Bureau, Sexual Assault Detail at (213) 473-0447 between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. M-F.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at  1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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NOTES September 23, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Commissioner Paula Madison opened the meeting. After a quorum was established, there were no commissioner comments; so the meeting proceeded directly to the Report of the Chief of Police.  Chief Charlie Beck proceeded immediately to his overview of current crime statistics and had nothing further to report.

There were no reports from the Inspector General or Executive Director, and Consent Agenda Items proceeded with approval of all items.

Regular Agenda Items then ensued with six items, two of which, Items A and B, were verbal presentations. Commissioner Paula Madison pulled Item F for discussion.

Item C, the Department’s Report, dated August 13, 2014, relative to the recommendation for the Medal of Valor, as set forth, was approved.

Item D, the Department’s Report, dated September 11, 2014, relative to the request for payment of a reward offer on City Council File #09-0010-S26, as set forth, was approved.

Item E, the Department’s Report, dated September 11, 2014, relative to the transmittal of the grant application and award for the 2014 Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grant, was approved.

Regular Agenda Item presentations commenced with Item A, which was a presentation headed by Hollenbeck Area Commanding Officer Martin Baeza, along with his Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) Co-Chair Margarita Amador and C-PAB member Lynelle Sanchez. Commander Baeza, with the assistance of his guests and a PowerPoint presentation, gave an overview of the Hollenbeck Area and discussed current crime statistics, community initiated problem solving, crime strategies and other highly effective educational and community outreach programs, goals and related results within the Hollenbeck Area.

Commander Mike Williams of the LAPD Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau gave the second presentation, Item B, which concerned the status of the Department’s traffic safety strategies and included a PowerPoint presentation. Four additional LAPD traffic captains were present and assisted Commander Williams.  The presentation addressed concerns that although crime in the City, in general, has continued to decline significantly in the past several years, there has been a minimal reduction in traffic collisions.  Discussion topics included, but were not limited to current traffic crime statistics and comparisons of those statistics to previous years, creation of the Traffic Impact Team, hit-and-run data, goals to reduce traffic collisions (especially pedestrian-related incidents) and specific collision-reduction education/strategies, including the use of predictive policing.  One of the technical developments Commander Williams highlighted was the introduction of more pedestrian warning crosswalks, which feature flashing lights embedded in the pavement to alert motorists.

Item F, which had been pulled for discussion, was the final discussion item.  It concerned the Department’s Report, dated September 18, 2014, relative to the personnel selection criteria and process audit (IAID #13-059).  Representing the Department before the commission was Jeffrey Phillips of LAPD’s Internal Audits and Inspection Division. Commissioners Madison and Robert Saltzman expressed concern over the audit, in that they found it confusing and incomplete.  This was the second time the audit had been brought before the commission.  Though more information was added to the audit after its initial presentation to the commission, Commissioners Madison and Saltzman requested some additional data be included in one of the audit’s tables.  Consequently, Mr. Phillips said the information the commissioners wanted would be added; so a motion was made to continue Item F to a future date.

Man in a Wheelchair Killed by Hit and Run Driver

Pacoima:  Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect involved in a hit and run collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.

On Friday, September 26, 2014, around 8 p.m., Valley Traffic Division Officers responded to a hit-and-run traffic collision that occurred on Terra Bella Street, just east of Cayuga Avenue.  

The suspect’s car, possibly a maroon Cadillac SUV or truck, was traveling east on Terra Bella Street when it collided with a man in a wheelchair crossing southbound Terra Bella Street.  

The suspect dragged the victim for approximately 100 feet and drove away without stopping to render aid or exchange information, in violation of 20001VC, Hit and Run Felony.  

The victim, 40-year-old Manuel Dejesus Segovia Gonzales, a resident of the city of Pacoima, was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect’s car is likely to have front end damage.  Valley Traffic detectives are looking for additional witnesses who may have seen this collision.  

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Detective William Bustos at (818) 644-88021 or Officer Wong at (818) 644-8036. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

 

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Missing Man in Need of Medical Attention

Los Angeles:  The family of Jose Herrera and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Mr. Herrera.

On September 23, 2013, around 3:30 p.m., Mr. Herrera was last seen in the 1700 block of West Olympic in the City of Los Angeles. He has not returned home and has never been missing before.  Jose Herrera is in need of medical care for a medical condition.

Jose Herrera is described as a 42-year-old male Hispanic, with black hair, brown eyes, stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs around 166 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black shirt, gray pants and black Vans shoes.   

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Herrera, please contact Rampart Division at (213)484-3400. During non- business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

 

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