Greetings from the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department. The
following is the monthly update for April 2007. We hope you find the
information useful. We encourage you to continue to visit our website at
www.lapdonline.org.
CHIEF'S MESSAGE
In this month's message, I want to update you on several issues and projects
we have been working on to help reduce crime in the City of Los Angeles.
First, we are making headway in the area of sworn deployment. For the first
time since November 21, 1999, the Department is deploying more than 9,500
sworn personnel. As of March 4, 2007, our sworn count was 9,503.
Helping to further augment the ranks, the Voluntary Recall Ordinance, or
"Bounce" Program, will go before the full City Council for a vote. The
Bounce Program effectively extends the DROP Program's end date and will
allow officers from the ranks of Lieutenant and below to be hired back by
the Department after retirement for a period of up to twelve months, as
needed. The Department will bring back employees that are deemed necessary
for critical selective assignments.
There has been much discussion from officers concerning the new Dell 610
Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) in patrol cars. Understanding there are issues
and challenges surrounding the MDCs, LAPD personnel in the Information and
Communications Services Bureau (ICSB) are working to formulate a permanent
solution. As recently as last month in Southwest Area, ICSB personnel were
field-testing a solution relating to one of the issues. Additionally, on
June 5, 2007, a new mobile application will be launched to further resolve
several of the MDC related concerns.
Regarding TEAMS II and our continuing efforts to reach compliance with the
Consent Decree, the first Action Items, providing supervisors with
up-to-date employee risk management information, were sent through the
automated Risk Management System in January. Use of Force related Action
Items were sent in February. By the time you read this message, the system
will be able to initiate all other risk management Action Items, including
those related to complaints, traffic collisions, and pursuits for
supervisors to investigate and act on.
Through the input of officers and detectives, several modifications to the
new Department flashlights have taken place. These modifications caused some
delays in the delivery of the flashlights from the vendor. Shipments of
flashlights from the vendor to Supply Division will begin the first week of
April. The new flashlights will be distributed to the geographic Areas in
South Bureau first, followed by geographic Areas in Valley Bureau, Central
Bureau and then West Bureau. Once officers receive the new flashlight, they
will no longer be allowed to carry the traditional flashlight.
These new flashlights have a three-way switching system for tactical use and
a 90-minute running time. They emit 135 lumens of light from a
light-emitting diode or LED. Because of the LED technology, these
flashlights will not dim as the batteries run low. Therefore, a five-minute
warning alarm has been incorporated into the unit. Additionally, these
flashlights utilize state-of-the-art lithium batteries that will hold up to
1,000 charges.
On the topic of the installation of In-Car Digital Video, we have started
contract negotiations with IBM to provide this new technology. South Bureau
patrol vehicles will be the first to be outfitted with this technology that
ensures transparency and accountability, and that provides concrete evidence
for officers being investigated on allegations of misconduct. We have
requested funding for the 2007-2008 fiscal year to install In-Car Digital
Video in an additional bureau with the goal of having this technology
deployed Citywide as soon as possible.
So, as our sworn numbers are growing and we make additions and improvements
to our technology and procedures, we continue on the path toward meeting our
goals of reducing crime, dismantling gangs, complying with the Consent
Decree, and becoming the safest big city in the country. Every LAPD
officers has played an integral role in these efforts. I have no doubt that
the Department will succeed because of their professionalism, skills,
commitment and integrity.
LAPD IS HIRING
The Los Angeles Police Department is currently seeking the best and
brightest men and women to join our ranks. The starting base salary for
high school graduates is $52,638. With at least 60 college units, and an
overall GPA of 2.0 or better, the starting salary is $54,747. Applicants
with a four-year BA or BS degree can start at $56,898. If you are
interested, or if you know someone who might be, please visit our
recruitment website at www.joinlapd.com.
CRIME STATISTICS - CITY-WIDE
Year to Date as of March 31, 2007
Homicide Down -23.4%
Rape Down -28.3%
Robbery Down -4.3%
Aggravated Assault Down -8.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES Down -7.4%
Burglary Down -3.5%
Burglary/Theft from Vehicle Up 2.3%
Personal/Other Theft Down -7.2%
Auto Theft Down -2.8%
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES Down -2.6%
TOTAL PART 1 CRIMES Down -3.6%
WILLIAM J. BRATTON
Chief of Police
To unsubscribe from this newsletter please click on this link
http://listserv.lacity.org/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=lapd_monthly&A=1
|