Brian Johnson

October, 2008

In Memory

We are all still reeling after the terrible train crash in Chatsworth and the loss of one of our own. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Spree DeSha’s family, her life partner Officer Laura Gerritsen, her North Hollywood and Office of Operations families and all her sisters and brothers in blue. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

On behalf of the LAPPL Board of Directors, I would like to extend our condolences to my old partner Sergeant Dennis Quiles of Training Division and the entire Quiles family. Dennis’ father, Angelo G. Quiles, was born on March 1, 1920, and passed away on September 4, 2008. He was a man of character who shaped so many lives within the Quiles family. The entire Quiles family is in our thoughts and prayers.

The More Things Change ...

The following is Part I of a look back at an LAPPL interview with the late Commissioner Salvador Montenegro, which originally appeared in the Blue Line in March 1980. Special thanks to retired Detective James A. Brady for sending me his copy of this incredible interview, which shows how the Police Commission still struggles with similar issues after nearly 30 years.

On February 29, 1980, Commissioner Salvador Montenegro resigned as Police Commissioner as a form of protest. Commissioner Montenegro had been a Police Commissioner for over six years.

That evening a dinner was held to honor Salvador Montenegro. During his speech, Salvador Montenegro presented his reasons for leaving the Commission.

The Blue Line was given an exclusive interview by Salvador Montenegro so that his views could be read by the men and women of this Department.
BL: How long have you been a Police Commissioner?
Montenegro: Over six years.
BL: Since becoming a Commissioner, have yourthoughts or opinions changed about the Police Department and the police officers?
Montenegro: They have. I developed an insight by going out in the field, talking to cops, riding in radio cards, going in the helicopter, going inside of jails, riding with them on patrol and learning of their problems, and studying the interaction between the police and the community. I developed a particular insight that cannot be developed on Tuesday afternoons by reading the reams of reports. I have grown to respect the officers. I have been able to check into some of their problems and I developed a reputation. The Chief and the brass have referred to me as the “field commissioner.” Unfortunately, some individuals in the political arena feel that I sold out to the Police Department.
BL: When you speak of “field commissioner,” is this type of involvement necessary?
Montenegro: I can only speak from my perspective; I went out in the field and was motivated to learn as much as I could, not only about the police, but also about the social problems in the various communities. I personally feel that without this know-how we can’t do an adequate job regarding police policies. I furthermore believe we can’t understand the very basics of what policing is.
BL: Have other Police Comm-issioners been active or involved in the Department and its men in the way that you have been?
Montenegro: No.
BL: Could you tell me why they haven’t been? Montenegro: I don’t know, but perhaps they can’t take the acid test in the roll calls. Even though at times I have taken shellackings in roll calls, I have been able to have a dialogue with the officers. It appears to me that no Commissioner is willing to expose himself or herself. You might want to ask them?
BL: Have other Commissioners taken an active role in Police Department activities?
Montenegro: No. I feel that it’s incumbent upon me, or any Police Commissioner, to really get involved in representing the Police Department. I’m talking in terms of attending funerals of officers who have died in the line of duty, recruit graduations, Explorers graduation and representing the Department wherever the Department has activities and where a Commissioner should be. I think that this Commission has been very lax in that manner. Perhaps the direction of this Commission would have been different if the members of the Commission would have gotten involved and really tried to understand the officers.
BL: Have you, during your years as Police Commissioner, received warm and welcomed support from several members of this Department?
Montenegro: Very much so. I have respect and support from the Chief of Police to the rookie in the Academy. I think that warmth is due to my involvement.They know that I’m truly interested in the welfare of this Department, which I am, and they have learned to trust me. I have not always agreed with the decisions made by the Chief or the brass, but I think that the brass respects me. Since my decisions were and are based on the knowledge that I have gained, not only talking to John Doe cop out in the street, but also studying the material and making my own decision with no political pressure or any outside pressure groups.
BL: Do you feel that the dialogue between the police and Commission is important?
Montenegro: I think that dialogue is most important to convey the feelings and the depths of the policemen in policy making. I furthermore believe that the dialogue which I had with officers had an effect on me in better understanding the field conditions. I have presented these experiences to the Commission when we dealt with the budget, shooting policy, working conditions, behavior science and other phases.
BL: Do you think it’s important to attend every Tuesday’s meeting with the Police Commission?
Montenegro: I do.
BL: Is there any Commissioner that you have knowledge of that has continually failed to uphold this responsibility to attend the Tuesday Commission meetings?
Montenegro: Yes. It’s on record but I find it difficult at this time to talk about naming a person.
BL: In reference to that, the Police Commission, should it be full-time? Expand on that.
Montenegro: There are some people who have classified us as armchair philosophers in that one meeting per week is insufficient to properly understand and run the Police Department. I support the concept of a full-time Commission with an advisory group or a Commission who can devote more time not only in executive and public session but also, out on the field. As a member of a part-time Commission, I believe that I have been more effective in the field because I have observed conditions first hand. I know what it is to have a black and white break down while on pursuit, have seen handheld radios, which have been patched and taped to keep them from falling apart, observed obsolete computers break down. In several instances I have been with officers with guns drawn surround houses or buildings with armed suspects inside, not knowing whether gunfire would result. Even though I did not face a suspect’s revolver aimed at me, I felt adrenaline flow from the above experiences. I tried to influence the Board by citing these field experiences during the time when policies affecting budget, shooting policy behavior sciences and the Eulia Love report were being discussed. I find it difficult sometimes to understand some of the decisions that are made in the Commission, simply because they haven’t spent the time to understand what real life is out in the field.
BL: Have you asked other Commissioners to get involved?
Montenegro: I have certainly tried to encourage them to participate in the entire Department. I think it’s an obligation on our part.
BL: Could you expand on why the other Police Commissioners that you worked with did not want to get involved, as you previously stated?
Montenegro: Well, maybe I’m in a unique position. I’m a businessman that operates in different sectors of the City and I make time. It has cost me thousands of dollars in time trying to understand the policemen. Perhaps some of our members have such lucrative practices that they don’t have time to devote to police work. There are other Commissioners that perhaps lack sensitivity or interest.
We will continue next month with Part II of our series of a Blue Line interview with Salvador Montenegro