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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE VOLUME XLIX NO. 12 WWW.LAPDONLINE.ORG ® DECEMBER 2003 DEPARTMENT SELECTED AS AWARD WINNER FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT n recognition of outstanding coordinator for National Night Out for participation for National Night Out the past four years. I The Department held numerous activities this year, the Los Angeles Police Department was selected as a activities across the City including National Award Winner by the several marches, street fairs, cookouts, National Association of Town Watch, block parties, peacewalks, candlelight WILLIAM J. BRATTON the sponsor of National Night Out. vigils, and neighborhood watch CHIEF OF POLICE Los Angeles placed tenth out of 22 meetings, each designed to present cities with a population of 300,000 or crime-free zones and provide an CHIEFS MESSAGE more for outstanding participation in atmosphere to encourage communities his is the time of year when our the annual crime, drug, and violence to take back their neighborhoods. At thoughts turn to family, a time of prevention program dubbed this years event, held on August 5th, T Americas night out against crime. the Department worked with Channel looking back and assessing the past year. As I reflect on my first year At this years event there was 35 to videotape events that took place as your Chief, I can say without any stronger participation from several during National Night Out in Los reservation, I truly did save the best for LAPD stations and more participation Angeles. The videotape was submitted last. I feel privileged to be a part of is expected at next years event, said to the National Association of Town the LAPD family. Officer Tanya Hanamaikai, Community Watch to be used in judging the Citys Relations Section, and Department participation. Continued on page 2 Continued on page 6 VOLUME XLIX NO. 12 WWW.LAPDONLINE.ORG ® DECEMBER 2003 Chiefs Message Continued from page 1 Over the past 12 months, weve all make a significant, timely impact on been on a learning curve. Ive had to that problem. My number one priority William J. Bratton learn the differences between West Coast is to get more officers on the streets by Chief of Police and East Coast-policing styles, and increasing our numbers, but that will Mary E. Grady youve come to understand many of the take time. Public Information Director ideas, initiatives and expectations I have There is a flip side to our limited Commanding Officer for this organization. One of my primary ranks and it represents one of our Public Information Office missions was to refocus this organization greatest strengths. Because we are so Steven E. Reifel to be more responsive to the crime few, we have become very good in Managing Editor problems in the city and more proactive in performing our duties, being efficient, Maria Y. Acosta our community-policing and trust-building skillful, and tactically superior. What Copy Editor efforts. That is what the re-engineering of we lack in quantity, we have overcome L.V. Sturges the LAPD is all about. But first, I had to in quality. To that end, the officers of Editorial Support take the time to learn how this the LAPD have become the best and Cornel Panov Department works, as well as learn about most highly trained urban police force Photographer the people behind the badge, and the that I have ever encountered. You are Jim Ungari civilians who are the glue that holds the truly second to none. Technical Support Department together. What Ive learned What I have also observed and and have come to respect is the essence support as the Real LAPD, is the The monthly news publication serving sworn and civilian employees, and those of this cohesiveness interested in the activities of the Los organization, of this Angeles Police Department, is published the traditions organization, by the Public Information Office , Public Communications Section, Public and history and how Relations Unit. The Los Angeles Police that have officers Department does not endorse or warrant shaped and depend on any products, services or companies influenced the each other. mentioned within these pages. Department, Again, The BEAT deadline for and the pride because material submission is the and esteem felt there are so 4th of each month by each few, there is for the following member of our LAPD family. That is a special and unique bond between month’s publication. what I like to call the Real LAPD. partners. Im sure that comes from the Submit your materials to: I have become keenly aware of just dangers that patrol cops face out on Los Angeles Police Department how difficult it is to be a cop in Los the street. Your partner is your first- 150 N. Los Angeles Street Angeles. The level of violence here line back up and the trust required in Los Angeles, CA 90012 directed against the police, compared that type of relationship often extends Room 731 Mail Stop 400 with other large cities, is disturbing. Gang beyond the job. Your partners become Phone (213) 485-3281 members outnumber us considerably and your brothers and sisters both on and Fax (213) 485-1952 have little respect for law enforcement. off the job. The volatile mixture of gangs, guns and Over the past year I have looked This publication is available on line at www.LAPDOnline.org. narcotics is the source of significant into how we investigate crimes, and the Copyright © 2003 by Los Angeles Police Department amounts of violence in this city, and the outstanding skills that are possessed simple truth is, we dont have enough within the organization by our detective cops on the streets at any one time to workforce. The American image of the 2 Continued on page 5 VOLUME XLIX NO. 12 WWW.LAPDONLINE.ORG ® DECEMBER 2003 Are Your Financial and Legal Affairs in Order? ne of the most on record. If there is no daunting beneficiary assigned, benefits Oexperiences we will be awarded to the face is the death of a fellow surviving next of kin. In order officer and friend. It is a for domestic partners to be topic that makes most of us recognized legally as the next uncomfortable, but it is of kin, it is imperative that they necessary to plan for this register as domestic partners the same way we plan for with the City of Los Angeles. career goals and Domestic partnerships are retirements, by doing the coordinated by Employee paperwork. The more Benefits at (213) 485-2440. organized Department It is very difficult for employees are with these surviving family members to try issues, the easier it is for and figure out what an surviving family members. individuals final wishes would The first Department have been in the event of their documents that are crucial death. When beneficiaries are are the Address and Phone not specified and there is no Number Record (Form living trust or will, a very long 1.20) and the Divisional and complex legal battle can Address and Phone Photo appearing on the front cover of the March 1950 issue of erupt. This can leave a the original “The Beat” magazine. Number Record (Form significantly diminished estate. 1.38). When a Department employee employee may marry, divorce or If the employee does not document dies, the first objective is to contact the remarry. It is imperative to what their wishes are in the event of next of kin and, when indicated, the periodically check your beneficiary their death, they are doing their loved person designated to help with the information, especially after a change ones a serious injustice. Casually telling death notification to the employees in relationships. All insurance benefits a loved one their final wishes holds no loved ones. Often, these forms are go to the individual who is the named legal weight. The Department cannot outdated and fail to list the current beneficiary. Beneficiaries are not change or solve the legal entanglement spouse or significant loved ones. It is disputable, unlike other areas of an involved. the employees responsibility to ensure employees estate. In order for an In closing, keep your forms updated that these forms are updated and employee to check on the current with the Department and take the the correct. There have been instances status of beneficiaries or to change time to create a living trust. Additionally, where outdated information on the existing beneficiaries, civilian periodically check on your benefits and 1.20 has led to delays in notifications, employees should check with the City who you have listed as beneficiaries. If or notifications have been given to the Benefits Office, and sworn employees you have any questions or would like wrong individuals. can contact the Police Protective some guidance in this area, the When an employee starts with the League at (213) 386-9955 and the Departments Financial Counseling Department, during the first week they Police Relief Association at (213) Team, Employee Assistance Unit, can are inundated with forms for benefits, 674-3717. provide suggestions. They can be payroll deductions and insurance The Department of Pensions and contacted at (213) 485-0703. As with options. As time passes on the job, Deferred Compensation Plans may or most benefits on the LAPD, assistance relationships change or develop; an may not have an assigned beneficiary is just a phone call away. ❏ 3 VOLUME XLIX NO. 12 WWW.LAPDONLINE.ORG ® DECEMBER 2003 MESSAGE FROM POLICE COMMISSION PRESIDENT DAVID S. CUNNINGHAM, III WHATS COMING IN 2004 ext year enforcement world. We have turned cyclical, I put more stock in the men Nwill be a the corner from checking off each and women of this Department and significant compliance requirement to Chief Bratton, whose tried and true one for the Los institutionalizing permanent reform.

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