LAPPL Blog: The official blog of the Los Angeles Policy Protective League
Congratulations, new Long Beach Chief of Police Jim McDonnell
By LAPPL Board of Directors on 02/08/2010 @ 12:21 PM
Long Beach officials made an excellent decision when they chose Jim McDonnell as their city’s 25th Chief of Police. This is tremendous recognition of Chief McDonnell’s 28 years of dedicated service and accomplishments at LAPD, and we think it also says something about how the LAPD is viewed as the gold standard for professionalism in the greater law enforcement community these days.
Chief McDonnell’s well-deserved reputation for respectful policing and effective outreach to diverse communities made him the right choice for Long Beach. We look for great things to happen there under his leadership. While we hate for him to leave our Department, we understand this is a great career opportunity for him and also foresee increased cooperation between our two departments.
On behalf of the entire membership of the LAPPL, thanks, Chief McDonnell, for your support and friendship over many years, and our best wishes for your continued success.
Thank you, Deputy District Attorney Deann McCarthy!
By Kristi Sandoval on 02/05/2010 @ 10:35 AM
Last week, all of us in the law enforcement profession cheered when it was revealed in court that a videotape, presented as evidence by a gang member through his attorney, was fabricated to smear the good names of two honest police officers. The bogus tape aired on Fox-11 in November 2009.
The officers – assigned to the gang unit at Hollenbeck Division – had stopped the car because it lacked a rear license plate. A subsequent consent search of the vehicle turned up a handgun, which suspect Rafat “Danny” Abdallah, a previously convicted felon, was forbidden to possess.
When the tape was introduced as evidence to contradict the police report and the basis for probable cause, Deputy District Attorney Deann McCarthy had little time to examine it, but she knew something didn’t look right. As a former LAPD officer (and wife of LAPD Officer James McCarthy), her cop instincts kicked in. It was after-business hours, but she was determined to find someone who would help her prove that the video had been altered before court the next day. She was diligent – making calls all over the city, trying to find someone who would listen. She was finally able to make contact with SID video analyst Jim Hoerricks at home, who agreed to examine the video before court the next day. They met early the next morning and Jim went to work. After his forensic examination of the defense videos, the expert concluded that only one of the three relevant video segments was genuine – the one which did not display a view of the rear plate of the defendant’s vehicle. The other two segments were re-creations.
Long story short: two of the video segments had been staged to add a rear license plate to a Mercedes that didn’t have one. This was all an attempt to discredit the two involved LAPD officers and get the case against Abdallah dismissed.
When confronted with Hoerricks’ testimony, Abdallah's attorney, James Epstein, got the case continued to allow him time to get his own expert. At his next appearance, Epstein admitted in court that all except the one uncontested video segments were fabricated. Of course Epstein wanted to withdraw the bogus videos as exhibits, but at the insistence of DDA McCarthy, the altered video was admitted into evidence and the motion to suppress the gun was denied. The case is still pending, set for jury trial on April 13, 2010, and the right person will be on trial!
On behalf of all Los Angeles police officers and, indeed, the entire law enforcement profession, thank you to Deann McCarthy for her tenacity and commitment to justice that cleared the Hollenbeck officers. Also, our thanks to Jim Hoerricks for his outstanding efforts and professional expertise.
Deann went the extra mile to ensure that a defendant was not able to dupe the criminal justice system by smearing the names of two good cops. We sincerely appreciate all she and her colleagues do on a daily basis to make the Los Angeles judicial system work.
Our greatest fears realized
By LAPPL Board of Directors on 02/04/2010 @ 03:35 PM
Only one week into California’s inmate early release program, our greatest fears are already being realized.
Nearly 6,000 inmates are predicted to head to LA County under the state's early release program, which began on January 25. (Photo: National Geographic Channel)
Despite assurances from state legislators that violent prisoners wouldn’t be getting out early, several glaring examples prove that this isn’t true.
A prime case in point from Sacramento County: It took a mere 12 hours for one inmate released under the program to be arrested on charges of attempted rape, sexual battery, false imprisonment and violating the terms of his probation.
Commenting on the case, Kevin Mickelson, president of the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff's Association, echoed what we have been warning for months: "The state Legislature has duped the citizens of California into believing they've released only nonviolent offenders back into the communities.”
Neighborhoods and communities throughout California are less safe today because of this irresponsible early release program. As if that weren’t bad enough, the highest percentage of the released inmates (almost 6,000) are coming to Los Angeles County!
We cannot imagine a worse time for our local officials to float the idea of police layoffs as a means of solving the city budget crisis. Maintaining our public safety resources is the only way to prevent worsening this severe recession and to put our city on the road to economic recovery.
My Last Word on Financial Disclosure
By Tyler Izen on 02/01/2010 @ 02:17 PM
The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) fought vigorously to prevent the onerous financial disclosure requirements imposed by the LAPD in their effort to implement the Consent Decree which, to date, has been upheld by Federal Judge Feess. Although the LAPPL is continuing its legal fight, the financial disclosure policy is now enforceable. You either sign or you don't work Gangs or Narcotics. The Department will either find people who will sign, or they will discontinue "specialized" gang and narcotics units (in favor of doing police work the old fashioned way?)
Why I have no intention of completing and signing the Financial Disclosure Form
While everyone has to make their own personal choice, I thought it might be helpful to tell you why I am not willing to complete the financial disclosure form.
- Since the Consent Decree became effective, the LAPPL negotiated a number of acceptable proposals that balanced the intent of the financial disclosure requirement and protection of officers’ right to privacy.
- In early 2006, a binding agreement between the City and the LAPPL was reached. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) also agreed to the terms of the proposal. The City and DOJ (the parties to the Consent Decree) subsequently filed a joint motion in federal court to modify the ORIGINAL consent decree document to incorporate the new financial disclosure language that had been agreed to by the City, Department of Justice, LAPD, and the LAPPL.
- On March 22, 2006 Judge Feess denied the Joint motion to modify the Financial Disclosure
- In March, 2007, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, "...No other police department in the United States of America is required to fill out financial disclosures when they work with gangs at this level," Villaraigosa said. "I understand why our officers -- in a city where we haven't had corruption on a scale and scope that other cities have -- why they would be reticent to sign these financial disclosures."
- In a December 20, 2008 editorial, the LA Times wrote, “It's hard to see how periodic financial reports would help LAPD brass nail corrupt cops. Officers already must submit to lie detector tests, and they now work in an environment in which stings are all but routine. Financial disclosure would do nothing to allow the public to monitor the kinds of corruption and excessive force that led to the Rampart scandal -- or the kind of management and training failures that produced this year's MacArthur Park fiasco.”
So, ladies and gentlemen, despite overwhelming agreement that THIS financial disclosure is unnecessary, intrusive, and unprecedented; a Federal Judge, NOT the people of Los Angeles or their leadership, demanded it. Sadly, Our Los Angeles leadership caved in to the judge’s whim and is now encouraging you to sign the financial disclosure form instead of fighting for what is right.
Ironic, isn’t it? Among the reasons we spent millions of dollars working under the terms of the Consent Decree was because the LAPD had too much power. Now a single federal judge threatens the safety and security of the citizens of this city because of his ivory tower, out-of-touch-with-reality arrogance!
I won’t sign because 1) I haven’t found anyone who thinks it is necessary to improve the Department, 2) I’ve spent my whole life and 25 years with the LAPD standing up to bullies … I won’t stop now, and 3) there are plenty of great positions within the LAPD where I can serve the citizens of Los Angeles proudly without compromising my privacy or my values.
Time for officers and the community to speak up
By LAPPL Board of Directors on 01/25/2010 @ 04:06 PM
The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee is beginning a series of Monday-night meetings this week to discuss the city budget and what its priorities should be. The first meeting is tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Van Nuys City Hall.
Ironically, today is the same day that the state begins to release over 6,500 prisoners from state prisons and to reclassify people on parole. A great number of these criminals, labeled as “low-level” offenders, have serious criminal records.
A Los Angeles Times editorial this weekend called on city officials to “Spare LAPD from the budget knife.” We wholeheartedly agree. Maintaining public safety and keeping the crime rate at its historically low levels is a prerequisite for the local economy to recover. Yet, on KABC Channel 7 on Sunday, Councilman Parks spoke of the need to not only stop hiring police officers but to also consider officer layoffs.
In our daily LAPPL NewsWatch, we will be calling attention to upcoming meetings and hearings related to the city budget crisis, so that LAPD officers and other interested parties can attend and push for Public Safety First. Nobody knows this issue better than the cops on the front lines. The time to speak up and let our collective voice be heard is now. Please join your LAPD officers and LAPPL Board members at one of the budget hearings listed below.
We understand painful choices must be made in reconciling the city budget with the shrinking available funds. We think the LA Times editorial hit the nail on the head: “The facts of life are that many city programs that do some good are unaffordable and must be cut. City leaders must not try to shelter such programs by undermining the continuing transformation, and success, of the LAPD.”
TAKE ACTION NOW!
A fully staffed LAPD is necessary for the city’s economic recovery. Please tell your Council members to come up with other cost-saving ideas that do not endanger the community. (Note to officers: If you attend the meetings, please do so off-duty and not in uniform.)
Budget on the Road Meetings:
Valley
Van Nuys City Hall
Monday, Jan. 25, 6:00 p.m.
14410 Sylvan St.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
West L.A.
Hamilton High School - Cafeteria
Monday, Feb. 22, 6:00 p.m.
2955 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
East L.A.
El Sereno Recreation Center
Monday, Mar. 8, 6:00 p.m.
4721 Klamath St.
Los Angeles, CA 90032
South L.A.
Central Avenue Constituent Services Center
Monday, Mar. 22, 6:00 p.m.
4301 S. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Forty-seven years later, we haven’t forgotten
By LAPPL Board of Directors on 01/21/2010 @ 07:30 PM
There’s another parole hearing coming up next week that has our full attention.
Officer Ian J. Campbell
EOW: March 9, 1963
If you haven’t heard the name Gregory Powell, you have probably heard of the infamous “Onion Field” case. It was a best-selling book by Joseph Wambaugh and later a movie starring James Woods – but the most important thing to remember is that these depictions were based on a true story and a real tragedy.
Powell was convicted of abducting LAPD Officer Ian Campbell and his partner, Officer Karl Hettinger, on March 6, 1963, after the officers stopped Powell and his cohort, Jimmy Lee Smith, for a routine traffic violation. Powell disarmed the officers by pulling a gun on Campbell and holding him hostage.
With a gun held to his ribs, Officer Campbell was forced to drive to an onion field near Bakersfield. He and Officer Hettinger were ordered to stand outside with their hands in the air. Then Powell shot Campbell in the face. Officer Hettinger was able to elude his captors, but was haunted by the incident his entire life.
For the killing, Smith and Powell both were originally sentenced to death, but the sentences were reduced to life after court decisions that temporarily stopped executions in the 1970s.
Powell is having a parole hearing on January 27. As we have at every parole hearing, the League is imploring the Parole Board to deny Powell’s application (click here to view our letter), and we are asking our officers and the community to do the same. Please send your letters right away requesting denial of parole for inmate Gregory Powell, CDC# A-57622, to:
Parole Board
California Board of Prison Terms
c/o California Men’s Colony
P.O. Box 8101
San Luis Obispo, CA 93409-8101
We will never show any tolerance for the killing of police officers. Law enforcement and the community at large must send a clear message that in a civilized society, the murder of police officers is unacceptable – and those who undermine the very fiber of public safety must expect the harshest possible treatment available under the law.
LAPPL opposes parole for killer of LAPD Metro Officer Jim Pagliotti
By LAPPL Board of Directors on 01/19/2010 @ 05:18 PM
Officer James Pagliotti
EOW: June 22, 1987
On June 22, 1987, Metro Officer Jim Pagliotti was working a surveillance detail when he and other officers were diverted to investigate some suspects who appeared to be armed. Gunshots were exchanged, and although Pagliotti shot his assailant, he was fatally wounded by Louis Belvin Jr.
Justice was served in December 1991, when through the hard work of RHD Detectives Marv Enquist, Jerry Stephens and the District Attorney’s office, Belvin was convicted of Jim’s murder and received a sentence of 28 years to life.
Belvin is now up for parole. The Los Angeles Police Protective League vehemently opposes the release of Louis Belvin Jr. and we have communicated our position to the Parole Board and the Governor.
A hearing is set for February 23, 2010, and we need your help to help us keep this brutal killer behind bars.
At the time of Pagliotti’s murder, Belvin was a suspect in another shooting, and just moments prior to shooting Pagliotti, Belvin beat a victim at the same intersection. Belvin may now be only 40 years old, but he remains a hardened cop-killer.
It is crucial to the security of the state of California, and to the safety of the men and women who enforce its laws, that killers forfeit their freedom for life when they murder a law enforcement officer. Join us in asking that Belvins’ parole be denied and that another parole hearing not be set for the maximum time allowed between hearings – 15 years.
We urge you to honor Pagliotti’s memory by submitting a letter of opposition as soon as possible. Be sure to indicate that you oppose the parole of inmate Louis Belvin, #H33133, and mail to the following address:
California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison
Attention: Classification and Parole Representative/Lifer Desk
900 Quebec Avenue
Corcoran, California 93212
We will never forget.
There they go again!
By LAPPL Board of Directors on 01/07/2010 @ 04:31 PM
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco wasted little time before giving us its first curious – if not outrageous – decision of 2010.
After closing out 2009 with its controversial Taser decision (see our blog post of December 30 below), the court this week overturned Washington State’s ban on voting by convicted felons. Why? Well, according to the Ninth Circuit, the criminal justice system in Washington discriminates against minorities at every level of the criminal justice system: arrest, bail, prosecution and sentencing. Ever dependable, the oft-reversed Judge Stephen Reinhardt was one of the two justices ruling in favor of the convicted felons. Read more about the ruling here
Now, you might think that this was the result of a hard-fought legal case in the lower district court – but you would be wrong. In actuality, there was no trial on the merits of the statistics offered up by the felons. The dissenting judge accurately characterized the ruling as a summary judgment for the felons that effectively settled the case on appeal.
The 2-1 decision is the first by an appeals court to overturn a state's prohibition on voting by felons, which exists in different versions in every state except Maine and Vermont. A state appeals court in San Francisco upheld California's voting law last year. Three other federal appeals courts have ruled that the Voting Rights Act does not apply to bans on voting by felons.
The good news is that the State of Washington is going to appeal the decision, either to the entire Ninth Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court. We are hoping for the U.S. Supreme Court, because Reinhardt’s name attached to any ruling is a red flag indicator that legal analysis is lacking – with a good chance of a 9-0 reversal by the Supreme Court.
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