Police Officer III Oral Interview N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E L O S A N G E L E S P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T Preparation Seminar Volume XLVI Issue 9 WWW. LAPDOnline.ORG SEPTEMBER 2000 ARTC (1st floor cafeteria) ✰✰✰✰ 5651 W. Manchester Avenue B. C. P. Motor Transport Division September 6, 2000 By Chief Parks Wednesday Always Ready to Roll! 1800-2000 Hours By Paul D. Bardon would like to thank Director of Police Transportation II Call Career Development Centers the men and women of this Department for more information I One of LAPD’s trademarks is the black and “This Department can not function without for doing a great job white vehicle, a familiar sight on the streets and vehicles. Buses, cars, motorcycles get Lake Street during the Democratic freeways of Los Angeles. However, very few serviced and repaired so they’re ready to (213) 207-3000 National Convention in know the history and background behind these roll. We’re always in the state of August. Again, you have Westchester Facility (ARTC) vehicles. preparedness.” (310) 342-3172 proven that the City of Los Angeles and its police The Motor Transport Division (MTD) is Illustrating the MTD’s critical role, Olson department are the finest responsible for maintaining all the vehicles in recalled the North Hollywood shootout, in the world. The streets the Department. It provides the Police where two armed suspects robbed a of Los Angeles remained The BEAT Department with a safe, effective vehicle fleet bank and exchanged gunfire with Los 1.1.2 safe, calm and orderly in a cost competitive manner and administers Angeles Police Officers. The MTD staff P.O. BOX 30158 despite the anticipated all fleet related functions. It is responsible for changed tires, performed repairs and LOS ANGELES, CA 90030 chaos and numerous budgeting and purchasing needed vehicles and stayed all night cleaning up the scene protests. Every challenge related equipment. It oversees all areas of afterwards. was handled efficiently. I fleet maintenance and Los Angeles Police BEAT am very proud of all your repair; product “We are part of the scene,” efforts, from preparation Volume XLVI Issue 9 testing Olson said. “We SEPTEMBER 2000 to implementation of our goals in keeping the DNC participants and the people of this City safe and protected.

Congratulations to the 10 recipients of the Medal of and vehicle modification; the salvaging of are there as support.” All of us at Valor, the highest award damaged or obsolete vehicles and equipment; MTD realize that vehicles are critical to bestowed on the men and and the maintenance of all fleet records. where officers have to go. We want to women of LAPD for extreme acts of courage “The LAPD has the largest fleet management and bravery. These for law enforcement in the world,” said Neil Olson, Assistant Commanding Officer, MTD. See CHIEF on page 3 See MTD on page 7 Visit us on the World Wide Web: www.lapdonline.org T h a n k y o u L A P D f o r a G r e a t J o b D u r i n g t h e D N C! Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 The BEAT

Editorial Committee Seminar toTeach Ethical Commander David Kalish Decision Making Department Honors Medal of Valor Awardees Commander Daniel Koenig Commander David Doan Do You Have the Moral Courage To Do What is Right? Prove It. Lieutenant Fred Booker Learn how ethical decision-making can help you do your job and enhance your On Wednesday, September 6, 2000, through acts of bravery or heroism Area Chamber of Commerce at (213) Lieutenant Anita McKeown career. The LAPD Coalition of Employee Association is sponsoring an ethics Chief Bernard C. Parks will present above and beyond the normal call of 580-7585. To reserve a table, purchase Sergeant Rodolfo Lopez seminar at the University of Southern California Davidson Conference Center the Medal of Valor Award, the duty. The awardees are Police the tickets early. Checks should be made on Saturday, September 16, 2000. Part of the Latin American Law Department’s highest award, to 10 Officers Robert Farias, Ronald payable to the Los Angeles Area Writer/Editor/Layout Enforcement Officers Association’s police officers during a luncheon at Chavarria, Manuel Solis, Lazaro Chamber of Commerce, 350 South Bixel Jing Vida Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Hosted Ramirez, Romik Keshishi, Cynthia Street, Los Angeles, California, 90017. ongoing career development series, the by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of French, Peter McCoy, Jason Parking is available at banquet parking seminar is open to all LAPD officers. Managing Editor Commerce, the 41st Annual Medal of Thompson and Francisco Dominguez, rate. Attendance is off-duty. A $25.00 Steven Reifel Valor Awards ceremony will begin at and Sergeant Joan Leuck. refundable deposit is required to register 1100 hours. For additional information, please contact since breakfast and lunch will be catered. Department employees may purchase Police Service Representative Stephanie Graphics LALEY will refund the fee at the seminar. The 1999 Medal of Valor award luncheon tickets for $40 by calling Nelson or Officer Sara Faden of Public Jim Corbin Eight hours of P.O.S.T. credit will be receipients distinguished themselves Jennifer Bayer of the Los Angeles Affairs at (213) 485-3281. awarded. Technical Support Lori Blackwell Zoran Turudic To Protect and to Serve with Integrity COMMENDATIONS from page 10 Jim Ungari The Theory and Practice of Ethics in Policing DETECTIVE I DETECTIVE II Louis Kelsey Org. Crime & Vice Saturday, September 16, 2000 Rene Lacasse Financial Crimes a continental breakfast and Thomas Campbell Anti-Terrorist Samuel Krishna Anti-Terrorist catered lunch will be served Bruce Kuehl Detective Headq. John Rodriguez Finan. Crimes LIEUTENANT I Yehuda-Lance Packer Narcotics Richard Lopez Narcotics Published monthly Lisa Wong Narcotics Miles Taylor Foothill Patricio Hernandez Central by the University of Southern California Eugene Arreola Financial Crimes Patricia Ferguson Detect. Headq. Brian Johnson Southwest Los Angeles Police Department Davidson Conference Center Gia Goyen Financial Crimes Christine Ruedas Juvenile Keith Johnson Air Support Community Relations Section See your Divisional Training Coordinator Deborah Ramirez Northeast Arthur Miller Southwest Public Relations Unit for a registration packet or call or e-mail SERGEANT I LALEY for more information SERGEANT II LIEUTENANT II The BEAT deadline for th at (213) 383-1332 John Radtke 77 Street material submission is the Inside E-mail: [email protected] Donald Dendy Central Edwin Arneson Metropolitan John Dunkin Newton 4th of each month n Commendations Frank Anguiano Hollenbeck Richard Wall Internal Affairs Richard Walker Financial Crimes for the following n Seminars: Ernest Caldera Newton Neal Fine Internal Affairs month’s publication Latin American Law Enforcement Association 1308 West 8th Street FASTRACIntegrity Daniel Bunch Rampart Philip Rivers Internal Affairs CAPTAIN III Suite 216 Los Angeles, CA 90017 2000 LA LEY Ethics Rita Benefield Northeast Jill Reinhold Pacific 150 N. Los Angeles Street Vip Kanchanamongkol Van Nuys Warren Winston Wilshire Stuart Maislin Central n New: Employees’ Edge Los Angeles, CA 90012 Christy Donorovich Van Nuys Room 731 Unit PutsBrakes on n Arthur Duran 77th Street DETECTIVE III DEPUTY CHIEF Mail Stop 400 Fake Accidents Thomas Todaro Personnel Phone (213) 485-3281 n LAPD Honors MOV Rick Harris Southwest Kent Norman Anti-Terrorist David Gascon Chief Of Staff Fax (213)485-1952 Awardees Nicholas Sinibaldi Pacific George Osborne Narcotics Martin Pomeroy Op.Headq. Bureau n Van Nuys Pursues Frederic Osby South Traffic Ricky Peterson Hollenbeck Domestic Violence Cases Richard Plows Harbor Marta Ramos Northeast n LAPD Shines Joseph Writer Devonshire

2 11 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000

Commendations The Chief of Police received the Seminar to Discuss Rampart following personnel commendations in July from outside the Department. Incident Among Others Message from page 1 POLICE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Frank Lopez Hollenbeck John Leonard Valley Traffic Steven Carlos Hollenbeck Roger Stewart Valley Traffic Steven Tannert Communications Garrett Loo Hollenbeck Theodore Williams Detective Supp outstanding individuals will be he Los Angeles Rick Corpel Hollenbeck Andre Baydaline Valley Traffic honored at a luncheon on RESERVE OFFICER Mario Barillas Narcotics Brian Bassler Foothill Police September 6, 2000 at Westin David Castaneda Newton William Settle Van Nuys Department is Bonaventure Hotel. We, as well T Simon Tam Pacific Ron Berdin Newton hosting a seminar on Debra Sriberg Pacific Francisco Diaz Newton POLICE OFFICER III as the rest of the City, should be Paul Butler Hollywood Michael Zolezzi Newton proud of this moment for it Thursday, October 6, Joseph Dominguez Newton Luis Hernandez South Traffic reflects what the LAPD ultimately 2000 at the Elysian Park POLICE OFFICER I Richard Browning Newton Manuel Ibarra Pacific stands for – courage and service Police Academy. The David Hoskins Newton Joy Smith, Pacific even in the face of extreme Fred Piro Pacific Thomas Redshaw Newton Michael Falvo Pacific FASTRAC 2000 danger. (see page 11 for more Allen Schubert Hollenbeck Valentine Flores Newton Osbaldo Ramos 77th Street Integrity Seminar is information) Timothy Nordquist Hollenbeck Joseph Dominguez Newton Robert Gallegos Metropolitan designed to appeal to Yasir Gillani Northeast Valentine Flores Newton Jeffry Quinton Central Jesse Moya Northeast Clinton Achziger Rampart John Malone Central law enforcement Jesus Amezcua Rampart Peter Foster Central Our profession is one of the most agencies throughout the POLICE OFFICER II Mario Marquez Rampart Tim Nambu Central difficult professions today. We United States. The Paul Hendry Rampart Barbara Jones Central are faced daily with difficult Joseph Cossairt Pacific Scott Thielman Rampart Joy Haro Central seminar will focus upon choices and decisions affecting Dana Adams Pacific Steve Chung Rampart Randall Mccain Central the lessons learned from people’s lives, livelihoods and David Randall Pacific Robert Guyer Rampart Steven Morris Central the Rampart Corruption Anita Moreno Pacific Amir El-Farra Rampart Thomas Lo Central reputations. Now more than ever Oscar Gamino Pacific Jose Gomez Northeast Austin Fernald Hollenbeck is it more relevant and important Incident. The Ricardo Ballesteros Pacific Rodney Carter W. Los Angeles Martin Williams Hollenbeck to have the courage to do what is Command Staff will Joshua Sewell Pacific Sean Lewis W. Los Angeles Thomas Herman Hollenbeck right amidst complex laws and th discuss the Rampart Incident, Supervisory Accountability, Hiring/ Andres Paredes 77 Street Minh Nguyen Southeast Robert Becerra Newton political trends. I would like to Matthew Mcleod 77th Street Lionel Kelso Southeast Gerald Ballesteros Newton Screening for Integrity, and Internal Investigations/Integrity Audits. encourage our officers to continue Shannon Alexander 77th Street De Shon Horton South Traffic Magdaleno Gomez Rampart The scheduled lecturers are Deputy Chief Martin Pomeroy on th their education and to take Larry Oliande 77 Street Robert Williamson South Traffic Roy Escalante Northeast “Overview of the Rampart Incident,” Commander Garrett Zimmon on Stuart Lomax Foothill Michael Maloney South Traffic Jose Torres Northeast training at every opportunity. On Scott Coffey Foothill Roger Pio South Traffic Mark Allen Northeast September 16, 2000, LA LEY “Supervision Accountability,” Dr. Warren Bennis on “Executive Mario Morales Central Robert Hung South Traffic Richard Eagleson Personnel (Latin American Law Leadership/Foundations of Integrity,” Commander Betty P. Kelepecz Danny Martinez Central Jerome Calhoun South Traffic Michael Cryer Southwest Enforcement Association) is on “Hiring/Screening for Integrity,” Deputy Chief David Gascon on Pernell Taylor Central Adonis Cutchlow Central Traffic Sergio Sanchez Southwest sponsoring “To protect and to Raymond Galluccio Central John Morena Central Traffic Dennis Bopp Southwest “Internal Investigations/Integrity Audits.” serve with Integrity – The Theory Craig Rensch Central Timothy Kay Central Traffic Stinson Brown Oper. South Bureau Willie Carter Central Neal Peterson Central Traffic Martin Pinedo West Valley and Practice of Ethics in Policing” Hector Diaz Central Henry R. Guardado Central Traffic Kenneth Roa Personnel seminar at the University of Angel Gomez Central Joanna Needham Unif. Support Linda Peace EODD Southern California. This Carlos Garcia Central Michael Bissett Unif. Support Thomas Baker Northeast outstanding seminar is part of Joseph Barrera West Traffic Stanley Wiedenhaupt Foothill LA LEY’s ongoing career Andres Cruz West Traffic development series. (see page 2 Ramon Hernandez West Traffic for more information)

10 3 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 Van Nuys Team Leads in Pursuit of Domestic Violence Cases All Department Employees are invited By Captain Ann Young to LA LEY’s Family Picnic

Editor’s Note: This is one of a two-part services during calls for service. domestic violence calls for service series highlighting two of seven Currently, Van Nuys Area deploys the are at their peak. However, due to excellent programs featured during the DART Team five days per week. Van scheduling conflicts, it was realized “Best Practices” Seminar in June 2000. Nuys is anticipating the addition of a that full-time officers were needed The Chief of Police selected these police officer to the detail this year. to effectively staff the team and outstanding programs Departmentwide. The assigned police unit has the respond to the growing calls for Captains and above attended this seminar, which was the first primary responsibility for the domestic service. Today, the DART Team is coordinated effort of its kind. violence call for service. When the staffed with one Police Officer II DART Team is deployed, members (POII) and a civilian advocate. VAN NUYS LEADS contact the assigned unit. The police This police officer II is assigned to Domestic violence is a problem the Los unit responds and makes the location the team for six months. The police Angeles Police Department personnel safe. The DART Team is then brought officers operate in plain clothes and want to see end. In 1993 alone, the in and introduced to the victim. The drive an unmarked vehicle, to avoid Department received over 43,000 team members will then assist the attention. The domestic violence domestic violence calls for service and police unit. If medical treatment is counselors are from the Domestic over 65,000 calls in 1994. Domestic required, the team transports the victim Abuse Center. They undergo violence represents 30 percent of all 911 to a local emergency room. The special training about officer safety calls for service. To break the cycle of team will take Polaroid photos of the issues, radio procedures, and violence, Major Assault Crime (MAC) injuries, issue Emergency Protective domestic violence laws. They also investigative units were created within the Orders, if required, transport the have on-the-job training in actual detective divisions in 1994. victim to a friend or relative’s house or field operations. Everyone in the shelter, while providing vouchers and team understands an abuser’s use The Van Nuys Detective Division began counseling services. The DART Team of force, threats of physical harm, Sunday, September 10, 2000 its MAC Unit on May 1, 1994. The unit also provides information to detectives economic control and isolation to averages about 450 crime reports for criminal prosecution. keep their victims from leaving and 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. monthly. It investigates all domestic contacting the police. violence, sexual assaults, child abuse and PROGRAM CARES related crime reports. In 1994, it handled The program originally consisted of COMMUNITY music, food, clowns, games, drawings, gifts, and swimming more spousal abuse arrests, (900 more) phase III probationary officers PARTNERSHIP PAYS OFF menu: carne asada, chicken rice, beans and drinks cases than any other detective division in assigned with a civilian volunteer The unit’s high success rate was the City of Los Angeles. trained in the aspects of domestic due to its community-based efforts. $5 per person (children ages 6-12, $3) violence. The probationary officers One of the officers’ priorities in the PROGRAM PROVIDES were phased out and the unit was beginning was to seek out For additional information & tickets contact: ASSISTANCE staffed with line reserve officers and a community service providers, Rich Haro (213) 485-2531 Because of the rising problem, the Van civilian volunteer. Reserve officers counseling services and shelters for Art Gomez (213) 485-2643 Nuys Detective Division immediately were selected so as not to deplete victim referrals and establish liaison Art Placencia (213) 485-4321 developed and established the Domestic patrol resources and to avoid cost to See DOMESTIC on page 8 LA LEY’s Office (213) 383-1332 Abuse Response Team (DART). The the City of Los Angeles. Reserve team helps provide needed resources and officers worked the weekends when 4 9 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000

DOMESTIC from page 4 with these organizations to provide decrease in domestic violence residents of Los Angeles, regardless detective-community working related homicides. of their gender, cultural, ethnic, partnerships. However, Van Nuys religious, and economic backgrounds Detectives quickly determined that these MISSION STATEMENT liaisons were lacking in the Van Nuys Our mission is to create a working GOALS – 2000 Area. They then embarked on a partnership with our community • Improve the delivery of A new BEAT Section Dedicated to the LAPD cooperative partnership with Gail Pincus, service providers who specialize in support services to victims. Sworn & Civilian Employees the Executive Director of the Domestic domestic violence: to prevent, • Dedicate Domestic Abuse Center. This partnership has educate and provide intervention to Violence training for police provided the domestic abuse victims with deconstruct the social structure, officers. The following is a list and contact information for services never before available in the which allows violence against • Expand the DART Team to Van Nuys Area. women and men to continue. other divisions. the various associations in the Department.

The use of the DART Team by police To provide a coordinated response The Van Nuys DART Team is a officers has shortened domestic violence to meet the emergency and short successful program due to the Association of Black Law Law Enforcement Association Golden State Peace calls for service by 75 percent, another term needs of the services of committed efforts of the assigned Enforcement Executives of Pacific Islanders Officers Association ABLE LEAAP GSPOA Editor’s note: All reason for the success. The victim and domestic violence in order to break officers and the advocates. The Captain Harlan L. Ward Sergeant Danny Wong Officer Alex Kordis LAPD employees members of the DART Team also the cycle of violence in our City. program is effective because of 77th Community Police Station Van Nuys Community Police Community Relations Section and associations developed working relationships, which excellent training, available resources Mail Stop 411 Station Mail Stop 400 are encouraged P.O. Box 1762 Mail Stop 415 1125 North McCadden Place enable the detective to assist the victim in To accomplish this mission, and community support. to submit court. All the efforts have resulted in a resources will be available to all Los Angeles, CA 90012 905 East 2nd Street, Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90038 (213) 485-4185 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 485-4101 announcements (323) 753-2178 (f) (818) 756-9485 (323) 962-5555 or articles on (818) 756-9804 (f) (323) 962 5500 (f) relevant events Hispanic Law and concerns. Enforcement Administrators Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation Latin American Law HLEA OJB Enforcement Association Submit materials LAPD Shines Commander George L. Ibarra Detective Marcella Winn LALEY in a diskette Department Commander Robbery Homicide Division Officer Art Gomez (Word format) to The following are excerpts from emails received in LAPD people who know the truth in America support your Mail Stop 400 Mail Stop 400 Management Services Division the BEAT - during the Democratic National Convention, August 14 -17, efforts. P.O. Box 1470 P.O. Box 470759 Mail Stop 400 Employees’ Edge 2000 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA 90053 Los Angeles, CA 90047 P.O. Box 53247 Dennis P.B. (213) 485-2522 (213) 485-2511 Los Angeles, CA 90053 by the 4th of each month for I wanted to say that I’m so very glad that the men in blue are out Riverhead, New York (213) 847-0676 (f) (323) 777-1848 (213) 485-2644 there, watching and willing to take steps if necessary to protect (213) 485-2167 (f) (213) 485-1919 (f) the following Los Angeles Women the rights of all law abiding citizens…I will never let the actions of I was pleased to hear Commander Kalish speak directly month’s Police Officer’s Association Shomrim Society of Los Angeles Command a few in the LAPD dissuade me from my belief that there are so about what was and was not considered to be acceptable publication. behavior. Actions have consequences. The police provided LAWPOA Southern California Officers Association many honorable, caring, brave men and women ready to lay their Lieutenant Anita McKeown SHOMRIM LACOA (fax)213-485- a safe and secure environment for the protesters to express lives on the line for my family, my neighbors and my community. I Public Affairs Unit Sergeant David Rosenberg Captain Richard Bonneau 1952 or (mail) just wanted you all to know you have my deepest gratitude for their thoughts and concerns. When the boundaries were Mail Stop 400 Operations-West Bureau Southeast Community Police Mail Stop 400 being willing to do a tough job. breached, the police made their decision…..I am not aware P.O. Box 531067 Mail Stop 920 Station of the details surrounding the events last night (August 14). Los Angeles, CA 90053 9601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite Mail Stop 400 Donna D. Perhaps I never will be…but then I am probably within the (213) 485-3281 1110 P.O. Box 65125 Tujunga, California majority. That said, I am proud of the job the LAPD did last (213) 228-9199 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Los Angeles, CA 90065 night. My compliments to Commander Kalish, the men and (213) 485-1952 (f) (213) 473-0282 (213) 485-6923 women involved and to the LAPD as a whole. (310) 858-8900 (213) 485-8340 (f) Bravo! The Los Angeles Police Department showed (213) 473-0285 (f) restraint and professionalism when confronted by self- Frank P. proclaimed anarchists…Keep up the the good work! The Lake Elsinore, California 8 5 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 Volume XLVI Issue 9 September 2000 STAGED COLLISION UNIT MTD from page 1 New Unit Puts a Brake on Fake Accidents provide a safe and effective law enforcement fleet. 23 automotive repair shops in 20 separate locations. There Someone could die and things could happen.” is an MTD shop By Detective III Tom Henton at each of the LAPD Total Vehicles in 2000 There are currently 4,080 vehicles in the Department’s 18 Department’s fleet. The fleet total includes 1,274 police stations, 1468 In response to a rise in the number of staged accidents and victim’s vehicle, followed by an immediate stop. The patrol cars, 493 marked hybrids, 1,468 plain cars, with an additional Plain Cars the amount of investigative resources needed to hope is that the victim will not be able to brake in time 434 motorcycles, and 409 miscellaneous vehicles, five shops located successfully prosecute these complicated cases, Financial to avoid a rear end collision. The potential for serious logging an average of 48 million miles annually. in the downtown Crimes Division (FCD) established the Staged Collision injury to the suspect and innocent motorists is quite The Department operates numerous makes, models, Los Angeles area. Patrol Cars Unit (SCU) in July of 1999. The unit, which investigates high). Fortunately for the driving public, two and types of vehicles including automobiles, 1274 Misc. vehicles motorcycles, vans, trucks, buses, four-wheel drives, The all-civilian 409 motorists observed the suspect make an Hybrids Motorcycles unsuccessful attempt to cause a and miscellaneous one-of-a-kind vehicles such as division has 265 armored personnel carriers, bomb disposal units, employees in 22 collision with a private airport shuttle 434 493 van. Grand theft and insurance fraud and SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) trucks. classifications charges have been filed against the The MTD has an annual operating budget of about assigned suspect. The testimony of the public- $9 million to cover repair parts, tires, oil, and fuel. throughout the division. Through the years, the fleet has spirited witnesses will help ensure a It also has a fleet purchasing budget ranging between grown yet the number of MTD employees has decreased. successful prosecution. The $15 and $20 million. “We are living proof that we can do more with less,” Olson investigation of staged collision often stated. The Division was first established in 1954 with a requires painstaking research and In addition to the budgeted fleet, the Department lieutenant at its helm. It became completely civilian in the detailed interviews of the involved utilizes other means to enhance the fleet, from use of late 1950s and was led by a former Chrysler engineer, Ray Photo Courtesy of Motor Transport Division parties. The SCU relies on field donated vehicles and court awarded vehicles to lease/ Winn as its first director. officers and collision investigators for rentals, and loans. The number of these type of the initial information leading to a Beyond the normal staged accidents and related medical fraud cases on a criminal investigation. Some indicators that a collision “We are living proof that we can do more with less,” Olson stated. maintenance and repair Citywide basis, is comprised of seven detectives, two of has been staged include, but are not limited to the functions, MTD also whom are on loan from Organized Crime and Vice following: vehicles averages between 200 and 225. These are performs collision repair, component rebuilding, vehicle Division. As auto repair facilities and tow truck operators used mostly in surveillance operations, but other uses modification and refurbishment. In addition, mechanics are often involved in staged collision fraud, it was decided · Statements by involved parties which are include graffiti abatement and community relations perform numerous state and federally mandated vehicle to include FCD’s Auto Repair Fraud Unit in the operation. inconsistent activities. The MTD’s fleet maintenance program is inspections such as commercial vehicle inspections on and/or conflict with the observations of independent based on a de-centralized support system comprised of trucks, tankers, and buses; emission system certifications; safety inspections on both Department and privately owned Since becoming operational in September of 1999, the SCU witnesses Fleet Vs. Personnel 10-year Gap has received numerous complaints from traffic divisions, · A hit and run felony collision with injuries to the alleged vehicles involved in traffic collision. The mechanics also insurance companies and a variety of other sources. One “victim”, who can not or will not provide a believable act as expert witnesses for the City Attorney in auto fraud 4080 case of note concerned an elderly man who was duped into version of the circumstances of the accident. 5000 cases or in litigation of civil liability cases. becoming the “victim” in a series of staged collisions by an · Statements of parties which conflict with the physical 4000 2800 organized ring of criminals. An attorney member of the ring evidence at the scene (i.e. resting position of the Other responsibilities within MTD include the design and was able to bilk the victim out of several hundred thousand vehicles, damage to fixed objects, skid marks and 3000 fabrication of unique vehicles and/or equipment; close, dollars before the crime was discovered by SCU location of debris). technical support to specialized units such as, Driver detectives. · Evidence of erratic driving by the suspect just prior to 2000 Training, Uniform Support Division, Traffic Coordination Section, and SWAT. In the event of an emergency where the collision. 1000 Another case involved a lone suspect who employed the 294 265 the department is mobilized, MTD is responsible for classic “Swoop & Squat” to victimize a commercial Officers with information regarding a possible staged 0 activating the Vehicle Mobilization Plan as directed by the carrier. (The Swoop & Squat is a highly dangerous accident are encouraged to contact the SCU at 1990 2000 Department Commander and the Emergency Operations 6 Center. 7 maneuver which entails a sudden lane change in front of the (213) 747-6990 or (213) 747-8794. Fleet Personnel