Greetings from the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department. The
following is the monthly update for October 2006. We hope you find the
information useful. You are encouraged to continue to visit our website at
www.lapdonline.org as it has recently been redesigned and updated.
CHIEF’S MESSAGE
The Los Angeles Police Department has been at the forefront of developing
innovative and effective field tactics since the early 1950s. Through
extensive research and a commitment to excellence, the Department designed
innovative tactics and accompanied these with extensive training. The
Department’s legacy is that other police agencies worldwide have emulated
these practices. Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery.
In this tradition, and in adherence to our “best practices” philosophy, we
constantly monitor, evaluate, update, and improve our tactics. Police
officers are granted the power to use force in response to a suspect’s
action. However, this force must be reasonable and measured to fit the
situation. The Department critically evaluates all uses of force. The Use
of Force Review Board, in particular, examines all categorical uses of
force, which include in-custody deaths. The recommendations of the Use of
Force Board are then forwarded to my office and to the Police Commission.
In reviewing some recent uses of force, it became apparent to both me and
the Police Commission that some officers and supervisors need to be reminded
of specific established Department protocols when utilizing an approved
restraining device. A message was developed and delivered through many
employee communication channels including the officers’ union newspaper and
video roll-call presentations. In turn, sworn personnel were made aware of
the issue and were directed to procedural documents to review. This “best
practices” scenario illustrates our commitment to constantly reexamine,
revise, if necessary, and adopt “best practices” in policing.
Aside from keeping the Police Commission and command staff updated on issues
such as this, the Use of Force Review Division is also working on the “Use
of Force Sourcebook.” The sourcebook was developed to provide guidance to
Department personnel about use of force issues and will be a “living
document,” constantly updated to reflect the most current information. As a
single source document, this publication will be an assemblage of Department
Manual Sections, Special Orders, Notices, Training Bulletins, and Consent
Decree paragraphs that relate to the use of force.
Also published by the Use of Force Review Division is the new Tactical
Operations newsletter. This newsletter was designed by the Tactics Training
Review Committee that is made up of Department experts in tactics, use of
force, training and field operations. It will provide officers with timely
and relevant information to achieve peak performance during tactical
situations. My goal here is simple. I want to provide officers with the
best training and information possible so that they can protect the public
and do their job safely.
Just as I am committed to making the Department the leader in law
enforcement technology, I am equally committed to maintaining our position
as the leader in law enforcement tactics. Through constant review, and with
these two new Department publications, the LAPD is maintaining its legacy.
CRIME STATISTICS - CITY-WIDE
Year to Date as of September 30, 2006
Homicide Down -1.9%
Rape Down -4.7%
Robbery Up 9.0%
Aggravated Assault Down -9.2%
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TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES Down -1.1%
Burglary Down -8.1%
Burglary/Theft from Vehicle Down -10.0%
Personal/Other Theft Down -11.4%
Auto Theft Down -8.7%
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TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES Down -9.7%
TOTAL PART 1 CRIMES Down -7.9%
WILLIAM J. BRATTON
Chief of Police
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