DOCSLIB.ORG

Michael Kovaka 2255 E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Michael Kovaka 2255 E MICHAEL KOVAKA 2255 E. Evans Ave., Office 365L, Denver, CO 80208 [email protected] Office: 303-871-6177 Professional Experience UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, STURM COLLEGE OF LAW 2016-Present Visiting Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Legal Externship Program, a nationally- recognized program that prepares students to transition effectively from law studies to the practice of law in a professional environment. Lead seminars focused on topics relating to the practice of law in private firms, including professional development, ethics, advocacy, practice management, and client relationships. Monitor individual externships, liaise with attorney supervisors, and mentor student externs working in private law practices. Support Legal Externship Program in enhancing current programs and developing new opportunities in experiential learning. COOLEY, LLP, Washington, DC 2014-2015 Special Counsel specializing in media counseling, media defense, and access to information. Areas of special expertise: freedom of speech; freedom of the press; prepublication counseling on newsgathering and content issues; online media, protection of news sources; right of public access to government records, meetings, and proceedings; libel defense; invasion of privacy; right of publicity; newsroom subpoenas. Served as General Counsel for the Online News Association, the world’s largest association of digital journalists. Defended U.S. and international defamation actions against The Center for Public Integrity. Brought successful FOIA action on behalf of leading animal welfare organization against USDA. Advised clients in all media on a wide variety of prepublication issues. PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW AND POLICY GROUP, Washington, DC 2010-2014 Senior Counsel and Senior Peace Fellow serving on Kosovo, South Sudan, Libya, and Darfur projects. Served as Director of South Sudan Constitutional Development Project, designed to provide support to the National Constitutional Review Commission and other South Sudanese entities in the process of drafting a permanent constitution. Provided support to Southern Sudanese authorities in preparing for 2011 Referendum on Independence. Served as Director of Kosovo Rule of Law Project. Headed local Kosovo office charged with implementing State Department-funded demand for justice project working with local partners to promote legal reform and citizen participation in the Kosovo justice system. Designed and implemented the first major Kosovo strategic litigation initiative aimed at promoting accountability by Kosovo justice system officials and institutions. Brought successful actions against the Kosovo Judicial Council, Office of the Prime Minister, Kosovo Police, and Kosovo Prosecutorial Council. Created and oversaw the Justice and the People Campaign -- a national citizens' advocacy campaign successfully fighting for justice-system policy reform. Worked with local NGO partner to provide free legal aid clinics in seven municipalities across Kosovo. DOW, LOHNES, PLLC, Washington, DC & Atlanta, GA 1990-2009 Partner specializing in media litigation, appeals, and commercial litigation. Defended civil actions involving a wide range of claims in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Prosecuted and defended numerous appeals in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Represented journalists, broadcasters, and publishers across the nation at every stage in the process of gathering and disseminating news, information, and commentary. Counseled clients in all media on newsgathering issues, including: protecting confidential sources; surreptitious recording; access to public records and meetings; responding to, and defending against, newsroom subpoenas; undercover reporting; and opposing closure of court proceedings. Prepublication review of news reports with reporters and editors in all media to reduce exposure for libel, invasion of privacy, and related torts. Representative cases: Defense of Michael Bloomberg and other New York City officials in suit by gun dealer caught in NYC sting operation; prosecution of FOIA action against DOJ challenging agency’s refusal to disclose identities of undeported illegal alien criminals; defense of libel suit against The Atlanta Journal and Constitution by former Olympic Park bombing suspect, Richard Jewell; prosecution of mandamus proceedings on behalf of Phil Donahue and North Carolina death-row inmate seeking right to record video of the condemned prisoner’s execution; defense of libel suit against former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates based on criticism of police response to rioting in the wake of the Rodney King trial. Representative clients: Animal Welfare Institute; Austin American Statesman; BET; Cox Enterprises Washington News Bureau; Cox Communications; KFI-AM (Los Angeles); KIRO- TV (Seattle); National Institute for Media and the Family; Nextel; Online News Association; Palm Beach Post; Site59.com; St. Martin’s Press; Sprint; Telemundo; The Atlanta Journal- Constitution; The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; The City of New York; WFTV (Orlando); WIOD-FM (Miami); WLWT-TV (Cincinnati); WPXI-TV (Pittsburgh); Worth Magazine. Education STANFORD LAW SCHOOL Juris Doctor Honors: Lawson Driscoll Moot Court Award STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT STONY BROOK Bachelor of Arts in Theater (cum laude) Honors: Stony Brook Foundation Award Selected Publications • “Public Figures and the Internet: Applying Traditional Rules in the New Media World,” Media Law Resource Center Bulletin (Fall 2009) • “Survey of Georgia Privacy and Related Claims Against the Media,” MLRC 50-State Survey — Media Privacy and Related Law (2006-2010 editions) • “Survey of District of Columbia Privacy and Related Claims Against the Media,” LDRC- 50 State Survey — Media Privacy and Related Law (1996-2002, 2014 editions) • “Pro Sports Leagues, Media Jostle Over Game Coverage,” The Wall Street Journal Online, June 29, 2001 • “Cyberspace Liability,” Libel & Newsgathering Litigation, published by Practicing Law Institute (1998) • “A Basic Guide to Case Law on Personal Jurisdiction in Cyberspace,” Media Defense in the 21st Century, published by the Newspaper Association of America, National Association of Broadcasters, and Libel Defense Resource Center (1997) • “Corrections in Cyberspace,” New Media, New Torts, New Threats: Libel Defense in the Next Century, published by the Newspaper Association of America, National Association of Broadcasters, and Libel Defense Resource Center (1995) • “Invasion of Privacy,” Broadcasters’ Law and Regulation Conference Papers 1992, published by the National Association of Broadcasters (1992) • Weekly column on defamation, privacy, newsgathering, access and other media issues for in-house publication of major U.S. newspaper chain (1992-97) Selected Professional Activities • Presenter, “Principles and Best Practices in Strategic Litigation” Kosovo Chamber of Advocates, Gjilan, Kosovo (2015) • Organizer/Presenter, “Law School for Digital Journalists” Online News Association National Conference Chicago (2014) • Presenter, “Community Grassroots Policy Advocacy” Syrian CSO Training, Gaziantep, Turkey (2013) • Presenter, “Strategic Litigation and Justice System Reform” Justice and the People Campaign, Pristina, Kosovo (2013) • Presenter, “Strategic Litigation as a Tool for Constitutional Reform” CSO Training Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzogovina (2012) • Organizer, Georgia and the Second Amendment Conference (2008) • Georgia Bar Media & Judiciary Conference (2006-2009) • NAA/NAB/MLRC Media Law Conference (1994-2015) • Newsroom Seminars, presented seminars on libel and newsgathering issues for journalists throughout the country (1995-2015) • Founding Member, Cyberspace Committee, Libel Defense Resource Center 1995-2004 (Chairman 1995-1997) Court and Bar Admissions • United States Supreme Court • United States Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit • United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit • United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit • United States District Court, District of Columbia • United States District Court, N.D. Georgia • Washington Supreme Court • District of Columbia Court of Appeals • District of Columbia Bar • Georgia Bar .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Treading the Thin Blue Line: Military Special-Operations Trained Police SWAT Teams and the Constitution
    William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal Volume 9 (2000-2001) Issue 3 Article 7 April 2001 Treading the Thin Blue Line: Military Special-Operations Trained Police SWAT Teams and the Constitution Karan R. Singh Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj Part of the Law Enforcement and Corrections Commons Repository Citation Karan R. Singh, Treading the Thin Blue Line: Military Special-Operations Trained Police SWAT Teams and the Constitution, 9 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 673 (2001), https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj/vol9/iss3/7 Copyright c 2001 by the authors. This article is brought to you by the William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmborj TREADING THE THIN BLUE LINE: MILITARY SPECIAL-OPERATIONS TRAINED POLICE SWAT TEAMS AND THE CONSTITUTION The increasing use of SWAT teams and paramilitaryforce by local law enforcement has been thefocus of a growingconcern regardingthe heavy-handed exercise of police power. Critics question the constitutionality ofjoint-training between the military and civilian police, as well as the Fourth Amendment considerationsraised by SWAT tactics. This Note examines the history, mission, and continuing needfor police SWAT teams, addressingthe constitutionalissues raisedconcerning training and tactics. It explains how SWATjoint-training with the military is authorized by federal law and concludes that SWAT tactics are constitutionallyacceptable in a majority of situations. Though these tactics are legal andconstitutionally authorized, this Note acknowledges the validfearscritics have regarding the abuse of such police authority, and the limitations of constitutionaltort jurisprudence in adequately redressingresulting injuries. INTRODUCTION Americans awoke on the morning of April 23,2000 to news images seemingly taken from popular counterterrorist adventure movies.
    [Show full text]
  • The Militarization of American Law Enforcement and the Psychological Effect on Police Officers & Civilians
    Document1 (Do Not Delete) 4/8/2016 4:43 AM NOTES US VS. THEM: THE MILITARIZATION OF AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT ON POLICE OFFICERS & CIVILIANS JOSEPH B. DOHERTY* TABLE OF CONTENTS: I. INTRODUCTION………………………..………………………416 II. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MILITARIZATION OF AMERICA’S DOMESTIC LAW ENFORCEMENT………………………….417 A. DIRECT MILITARIZATION…………………………..……..…417 B. INDIRECT MILITARIZATION………………………….……....423 III. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF MILITARIZATION….442 IV. REFORM……………………………………………………….445 A. REDUCTION OF SWAT DEPLOYMENTS……………….…….445 B. REALLOCATION OF DHS GRANTS…………………………..446 C. ELIMINATION OF THE 1033 PROGRAM………………….…...447 D. ELIMINATION OF JAG GRANTS………………………..…….448 E. REVERSING THE “US VS. THEM” MILITARY MENTALITY THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED TRAINING & RECRUITMENT…………………………………………...…449 V. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………..450 * Class of 2016, University of Southern California Gould School of Law; Staff Member, Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal, Volume 24. The author would like to thank the staff and executive editorial board of Volume 25 of the Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal for all of their hard work on this Note. The author would also like to thank Professor Dan Simon, and all of the investigative reporters that work tirelessly to expose the physical, psychological, and economic ramifications of the use of military equipment and tactics by local law enforcement officers. 415 Document1 (Do Not Delete) 4/8/2016 4:43 AM 416 Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal [Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Often I Feel We Victimize the Victim More Than the Suspect Does”: Examining Officer
    “Often I Feel We Victimize the Victim More Than the Suspect Does”: Examining Officer Attitudes Toward Sexual Assault Complainants by Eryn Nicole O’Neal A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Approved November 2015 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: Cassia Spohn, Chair Kristy Holtfreter Cody Telep ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY December 2015 ABSTRACT The purpose of this project is to better understand police perceptions of sexual assault complainants by assessing their likelihood of questioning a complainant’s credibility and by examining police attitudes toward victims of sexual assault. To advance understanding of these issues, this dissertation (1) expands upon prior research by drawing on a sample of officers from one of the largest metropolitan police departments in the United States and, (2) through the use of framing theory, contributes to the literature by focusing on the attitudes of police toward sexual assault complainants and how these beliefs are shaped by day-to-day experiences. This dissertation investigates two research questions using a mixed-methods approach. The data come from 400 sexual assault complaints that were reported to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and 52 LAPD detective interviews. I quantitatively examine the factors that influence officer perceptions of complainant credibility, focusing on indicators of “real rape,” “genuine” victims, “inappropriate” victim behavior, and “character flaws.” I contextualize this work by examining police attitudes toward sexual assault victims using qualitative data taken from interviews of sex crimes detectives. This research contributes to the broader case processing literature by focusing on victim credibility, a factor consistently found to influence case processing decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • By Anna Deavere Smith
    Central MIchigan University Theatre Presents By Anna Deavere Smith Directed by Steve Berglund Live-streamed from Bush Theatre, October 8-11, 2020 Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 Written by Anna Deavere Smith Director .................................................................................................................Steve Berglund Scenic and Lighting Designer .............................................................................. Paul Collins Costume Designer .....................................................................................................Ann Dasen Technical Director .............................................................................................Dan Daugherty Costume Shop Manager ................................................................ Daniel Thieme-Whitlow Stage Manager ...................................................................................................Karinna Taylor* Cast Stanley Sheinbaum, Jay Woong Yahng, Sgt. Charles Duke, Federico Sandoval, Daryl Gates, Reginald Denny, Jin Ho Lee, Bill Bradley ................................Sam Danko* Understudy ............................................................................................................Colin Edwards Ted Briseno, Charles Lloyd, Keith Watson, Paul Parker, Mrs. June Park, Anonymous Man ....................................................................................................................................Trell Isaac Jessye Norman, Elaine Young, Josie Morales, Katie Miller, Chris Oh, Maxine
    [Show full text]
  • Race and Race Relations in Los Angeles During the 1990S : the L.A. Times' News Coverage on the Rodney King Incident And
    RACE AND RACE RELATIONS IN LOS ANGELES DURING THE 1990s. THE L.A. TIMES’ NEWS COVERAGE ON THE RODNEY KING INCIDENT AND THE ‘L.A. RIOTS’ I N A U G U R A L D I S S E R T A T I O N zur Erlangung des Grades einer Doktorin der Philosophie in der FAKULTÄT FÜR GESCHICHTSWISSENSCHAFT der RUHR UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM vorgelegt von Kathrin Muschalik Referent: Prof. Dr. Michael Wala Korreferent: Prof. Dr. Josef Raab Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 08.06.2016 Veröffentlicht mit Genehmigung der Fakultät für Geschichtswissenschaft der Ruhr Universität Bochum Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 A History of Cultural, Social and Economic Urban Transformation – Black Los Angeles from 1945 until 1991 .................................................................................................. 14 2.1 Setting the Scene ....................................................................................................... 14 2.2 African American Job and Housing Situation in Postwar Los Angeles ................... 15 2.3 Criss-Crossing Los Angeles – Building Streets for Whites? .................................... 18 2.4 Paving the Way to Watts – Unemployment, Poverty, and Police Brutality ............. 19 2.5 The Aftermath of the Watts ‘Riots’ – Cause Studies and Problem-Solving Approaches ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.6 Of Panthers, Crips, and
    [Show full text]
  • Civilians Manage Police Departments
    If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. • The California Command College ,/ Class XV j The Impact of Civil Liability on Law Enforcement by the Year 2002 • . An Independent Study Project Submitted to The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training By Mark Gibboney January 1993 • 15-0296 • 142880 U.S. Department of Justice National InstlMe of Justice This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating il. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this copyrighted material has been gr9.Clted b¥C. " CaL1LOrnla CammlSS10n on Peace Officer Standard and Training .' to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS sys!9m requires permission of the copyright owner. • --~---------------------------- • This Command College Independent Study Project is a FUTURES study of a particular emerging issue ~n law enforcement. Its purpose is NOT to predict the future, but rather to project a number of possisble scenarios for strategic planning consider- .. ation. De~ning the future differs from analyzing the past because the future has not yet happened. In this project, useful alternatives have been forntulated systematically so that the planner can respond to a • range of possible future environments. Managing the future means influencing the future",­ creating it, constraining it, adapting to it. A futures study points the way. The vi.ews and conclusions expressed in the Com­ mand College project are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) .
    [Show full text]
  • William H. Parker and the Thin Blue Line: Politics, Public
    WILLIAM H. PARKER AND THE THIN BLUE LINE: POLITICS, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND POLICING IN POSTWAR LOS ANGELES By Alisa Sarah Kramer Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In History Chair: Michael Kazin, Kimberly Sims1 Dean o f the College of Arts and Sciences 3 ^ Date 2007 American University Washington, D.C. 20016 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY UBRARY Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3286654 Copyright 2007 by Kramer, Alisa Sarah All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3286654 Copyright 2008 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © COPYRIGHT by Alisa Sarah Kramer 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. I dedicate this dissertation in memory of my sister Debby.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LAPD STORY: the More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same
    JS POLICE Report 7-2013_Cover with all 7/19/13 11:55 AM Page 1 Judith A. Greene Patricia Allard A Justice Strategies Report July 2013 www.justicestrategies.net JS POLICE Report 7-2013_Cover with all 7/19/13 11:55 AM Page 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Justice Strategies owes a great debt of gratitude to many people who were generous in sharing information, data and insights about policing in Los Angeles with us. These include Peter Bebring, Gary Blasi, Merrick Bobb, Alexander Bustamonte, Gerry Chalef, Craig Gilmore, Hamid Kahn, Lyle Knight, Ana Muniz, Alex Sanchez, Connie White, and Pete White. We are especially grateful to Kim McGill, whose years of experience, brilliant analysis and tireless efforts to hold police accountable to community residents in both Los Angeles and New York City has been an invaluable resource for Justice Strategies. For more than a decade we have been enriched and inspired by her leadership. The More Things Change, the More they Stay the Same: an excerpt... JS POLICE Report 7-2013_Cover with all 7/19/13 11:55 AM Page 1 INTRODUCTION The More Things Change, The More They Remain the Same olice accountability is not a goal that can be won once and for all. Police policy reforms are not items on a check-off list that can guarantee changed practice on the streets. The effort to Preform policing is a dynamic process, a struggle that must be sustained with vigilance, and constantly reinforced with action. Powerful and direct involvement by grassroots leaders from communities of color is the most critical factor.
    [Show full text]
  • The Beating of Rodney King: the Dynamics of Backfire
    Critical Criminology (2005) 13: 307–326 Ó Springer 2005 DOI 10.1007/s10612-005-3186-x THE BEATING OF RODNEY KING: THE DYNAMICS OF BACKFIRE BRIAN MARTIN* University of Wollongong Abstract. The 1991 beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police provides rich case material in how an attack perceived as unjust can backfire. Drawing on nonviolence theory, an original framework is developed to analyze attacks as potential backfires that are usually, but not always, inhibited. Attackers can use a variety of methods to inhibit backfires, including covering up the attack, devaluing the target, reinterpreting the events, using official channels, and using intimidation and bribery. Writings on the Rodney King beating include evidence on the use of each of these methods. Studying the backfire process offers improved understanding on how to oppose unjust attacks. Not long after midnight on March 3, 1991, Rodney King was beaten by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department. King was hit by two high-voltage tasers and then struck dozens of times by metal batons, as well as being kicked, over a period of several minutes. More than 20 police were present at the beating, which was illuminated by floodlights from a police helicopter hovering overhead. This event probably would have become just another arrest statistic except for the fact that a portion of the incident was captured on vid- eotape by an observer, George Holliday. After the video was screened on television, the ‘‘Rodney King beating’’ became the most well-known case of police use of force in history, with serious adverse effects for the police.
    [Show full text]
  • Reese Fmt Cx 3
    LEADERSHIP IN THE LAPD LEADERSHIP IN THE LAPD WALKING THE TIGHTROPE Renford Reese Carolina Academic Press Durham, North Carolina Copyright © 2005 Renford Reese All Rights Reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Reese, Renford, 1967 - Leadership in the LAPD : walking the tightrope / by Renford Reese. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 1-59460-020-1 1. Police administration—California—Los Angeles. 2. Police chiefs—California—Los Angeles. I. Title. HV8148.L55R44 2004 353.2'092'279494--dc22 2004002867 Carolina Academic Press 700 Kent Street Durham, North Carolina 27701 Telephone (919) 489-7486 Fax (919) 493-5668 www.cap-press.com Printed in the United States of America To all the good cops. Contents Introduction xiii The Tightrope xiii Overview xiv Leadership xviii Methodology xxiv References xxvi Chapter 1: LAPD History & Culture 1 LAPD History 1 Chief William Parker 3 Chief Ed Davis 7 Us vs. Them 9 Perpetual Reforms 11 Lessons Learned 17 Discussion Questions 19 References 19 Chapter 2: Chief Daryl Gates 23 Up through the Ranks 23 Leadership Characteristics 24 The Chokehold 26 Rodney King 29 vii viii Contents The 1992 Los Angeles Riots 33 Lessons Learned 37 Discussion Questions 39 References 40 Chapter 3: Chief Willie Williams 43 Transition: Gates to Williams 43 Building Relations and Credibility 46 Credibility 47 Integrity and Trust 49 Judgment 51 Leadership Traits 53 Lessons Learned 57 Discussion Questions 60 References 60 Chapter 4: Chief Bernard Parks 65 Transition: Williams to Parks 65 Building Relations 67 Critical Mistakes 69 Leadership Profile 74 Lessons Learned 79 Discussion Questions 83 References 84 Chapter 5: The Rampart Scandal 87 Background 87 Police Corruption 88 The Scandal 90 Managerial Oversight 93 Bureaucratic Discretion 96 Contents ix Civilian Oversight 98 Police Ethics 100 Lessons Learned 102 Discussion Questions 103 References 104 Chapter 6: Ethics, Hollywood & Reality 107 Serpico and L.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Finding Aid to the Historymakers ® Video Oral History with the Honorable Bernard Parks
    Finding Aid to The HistoryMakers ® Video Oral History with The Honorable Bernard Parks Overview of the Collection Repository: The HistoryMakers®1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60616 [email protected] www.thehistorymakers.com Creator: Parks, Bernard, 1943- Title: The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with The Honorable Bernard Parks, Dates: July 31, 2014, March 31, 2005 and November 19, 2004 Bulk Dates: 2004, 2005 and 2014 Physical 8 Betacame SP videocasettes uncompressed MOV digital video Description: files (3:48:10). Abstract: Police chief and city council member The Honorable Bernard Parks (1943 - ) served as the Los Angeles chief of police from 1997 to 2002; during his tenure crime in Los Angeles fell by thirty-five percent. In 2002 Parks was elected to a seat on the Los Angeles City Council, where he worked to modernize the Los Angeles International Airport and to bring the National Football League back to Los Angeles. Parks was interviewed by The HistoryMakers® on July 31, 2014, March 31, 2005 and November 19, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. This collection is comprised of the original video footage of the interview. Identification: A2004_237 Language: The interview and records are in English. Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers® Los Angeles city councilman Bernard Parks was born in Beaumont, Texas, on December 7, 1943; his family moved to Los Angeles while Parks was still young. While attending Holy Spirit High School, Parks played football and served as the class president. After graduating from high school, Parks attended Los Angeles City College from 1961 until 1963 before being hired at General Motors.
    [Show full text]
  • The Future of SWAT Teams in Maryland and Beyond
    Local Government Insurance Trust RISK MANAGEMENT BULLETIN ______________________________________________________________________________ No. 123 April 2012 SWAT — or Not? The Rise, Fall and Uncertain Future of SWAT Teams in Maryland I. SWAT Teams - An Overview SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams have been on the scene since 1968, when Inspector Daryl Gates established the first team in the Los Angeles Police Department. SWAT teams are trained to perform dangerous, high-risk assignments that fall outside of what is normally expected of patrol officers. Examples of SWAT team operations include hostage rescues, the service of high-risk arrest and search warrants, subduing barricaded suspects, and counter- terrorism operations. To perform such volatile missions requires a high level of skill, training, experience, and coordination. In addition, SWAT team members are equipped with specialized weapons (e.g., assault rifles, breaching shotguns, and stun grenades) and equipment (heavy body armor, night vision devices, ballistic shields, motion detectors, and forced entry tools). The successful execution of SWAT team missions requires military precision and timing. Forty-five years after SWAT teams were first introduced, most citizens are at least familiar with what SWAT teams are and many, if not most, hold a wide range of opinions concerning them. The sweeping use of SWAT and similar high risk mission teams across the United States, by federal, state and local government law enforcement agencies, acting individually or collectively, has ensured this result. For example, in 1980, there were fewer than 3,000 SWAT deployments across the country. By 2010, there were more than 50,000 SWAT team deployments per year, most related to drug enforcement.
    [Show full text]