Non-revocable parolee who attempted to murder Fremont officer arrested in Los Angeles
Contact: Eric Rose (805) 624-0572 or
Paul Haney (626) 755-4759
Fremont officer arrested in Los Angeles
We’ve had enough “incentive.” It’s well past the time to end non-revocable parole.
Los Angeles, Oct. 6, 2010 – The early morning arrest of a man who intentionally ran down a Fremont motorcycle officer earlier this week has resulted in a renewed demand from the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) for the State to review its Non-Revocable Parole Program.
"The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has characterized the initiative as an 'incentive program' for local police departments," says Paul M. Weber, President of the LAPPL. "The program, which the LAPPL views as a clemency program, classifies certain inmates as 'non-violent,' and releases them to communities without any supervision. Under the prior parole system, parolees could be sent back to prison if they failed to follow the rules, even if they did not commit a new crime. Under "non-revocable parole," inmates are assured that they will be unsupervised and not be sent back to prison unless convicted of a new crime," says Weber.
"In the bizarre world of the CDCR, this free pass provides an 'incentive' for local prosecutors and police to arrest and convict a released felon with a new crime," continues Weber. "However, those who inhabit the real world understand -- as the CDCR clearly does not-- that somebody will have to be a victim of a new crime for this 'incentive' to be realized."
The latest case occurred on October 4 when Alexander Diaz, a 36-year-old non-revocable parolee, deliberately hit Fremont motorcycle Officer Patrick Brower, with a stolen delivery truck. Brower and his motorcycle were pushed across two lanes of traffic before the officer was pinned against a light pole. Today's arrest of Diaz in Los Angeles involved officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, Fremont Police Department, the state Department of Justice and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
“This is only the latest attempt to kill an officer by those misclassified as ‘non violent’ and placed on non-revocable parole,” says Weber. “Parolees-at-large and non-revocable parolees present a grave danger to police officers and the public. Three times in the last several months, a parolee has attempted to murder police officers. While we can all be proud of the record low crime numbers in Los Angeles thanks to the hard work of police officers, it is clear to me that public safety will be increased tremendously if we can fix the parole system."
"Clearly, to all observers except those in the Administration of the CDCR who fiercely cling to and defend their indefensible program, non-revocable parole is a failure and nothing more than clemency. Once again, we call on responsible leaders in State government to end this program, before anyone else is attacked by one of these parolees and ends up losing his or her life."
Related releases:
- Failed state parole system almost cost LAPD officers their lives…again
- Wanted parolee in Valley killing highlights parole system failures
- Failed state parole early-release program nearly costs LAPD officers their lives
- Los Angeles Police Officers call on Governor to Stop Dangerous New Parole Program
- LAPPL Statement on Proposed Massive Prisoner Release
- Los Angeles police officers denounce inmate early releases as dangerous and counterproductive
- State to release thousands of felons; Prison gates open January 25
- Governor "commutes" sentences of 6,000 inmates
About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com.
