COMMANDING OFFICER’S STATEMENT
OF COMMITMENT AND INTENT
CAPTAIN SCOTT C. KROEBER
CIVIL RIGHTS INTEGRITY DIVISION
APRIL 2004

Each year, I prepare a written commitment to those for whom I am responsible by virtue of my position as a command officer. The commitment is "vertical" in that it applies equally to the community, public officials, Department staff officers, my fellow command officers, and the men and women entrusted to my command.

2004 promises to be one of the most challenging years for the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department as they endeavor to comply with the Civil Rights Consent Decree. By June 15th the Department must achieve substantial compliance with the Decree’s provisions and then maintain that standard of performance for the remaining two years of the Decree. During 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, Civil Rights Integrity Division analyzed the Consent Decree, prepared and executed implementation plans, budgeted funding and either directly produced or oversaw the production of approximately eighty policy & procedure documents called for by the Decree. These varied activities collectively provided a framework of implementation upon which lasting compliance could be built. With the approach of June 15th, a distinct line of demarcation is nearing. At that vital juncture, the primary responsibility for achieving substantial compliance will transfer permanently from the Civil Rights Integrity Division to the Department’s mainstream commands. From that point forward, Civil Rights Integrity Division’s main role will be relegated primarily to tracking, monitoring and reporting on progress. Much has already been accomplished by the Department and the City in pursuing compliance with the Decree. These significant accomplishments should be a source of pride for the Department, City government and our community. For 2004, the Civil Rights Integrity Division will continue to lead this unified effort toward compliance working hard to earn the respect, confidence and esteem of the Department’s greatest stakeholder – the people of Los Angeles. With that in mind, my commitment is that my words and deeds will always reflect my unwavering belief that to command the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department, both sworn and civilian, is a rare privilege and a high honor.

For 2004, my intent is to place special emphasis on the following four core areas:

• Administrative excellence;
• Service delivery;
• Respectful work environment; and,
• Enduring relationships.

The daunting task of achieving substantial compliance with the Consent Decree places a unique responsibility on the Department. Because Civil Rights Integrity Division is the vanguard of this endeavor, it will be watched closely and will be expected to operate at a level synonymous with perfection. Because of the correlation between its performance and the Department’s public credibility, Civil Rights Integrity Division will continue to place an exceptionally high premium on initiative, responsiveness and commitment. Civil Rights Integrity Division will strive to ensure that, relative to the Consent Decree, the Department consistently meets all mandated technical and legal specifications, on time and within budget.

The mission of Civil Rights Integrity Division is simple and sharply - focused. Its ultimate success or failure will be reflected in the quality and quantity of work toward Consent Decree compliance produced by other commands. To maximize the probability of success, Civil Rights Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive inspection system to inform the Department’s mainstream commands about their compliance levels. This progress will be aggressive and if the need for system-wide remediation is identified, it will be addressed immediately by Civil Rights Integrity Division.

The prerequisite for outstanding service delivery is a work environment conducive to respect, tolerance and cohesion. Just as the communities of Los Angeles expect the Department to institutionalize community policing, so too are we expected to institutionalize the social framework and mentality from which such service emanates. Civil Rights Integrity Division shall continue to be one of the most socially diverse Department commands. Additionally, individual morale and unit esprit de corps are considered significant leadership issues at Civil Rights Integrity Division. Each employee will be expected to contribute personally to cultivating a professional environment consistent with the Department’s mission, values, principles and goals.

The four cardinal tenants of community policing are partnerships, problem solving, Department-wide orientation and territorial imperative. The men and women of Civil Rights Integrity Division shall perform their daily tasks as part of a Department that continues to institutionalize the guiding philosophy of community policing and government. The forging of true, lasting, meaningful partnerships is critical. These partnerships run the gamut from informal community contacts through Department liaison and inter-governmental affairs, and are embedded in the manner and attitude in which Civil Rights Integrity Division operates. Without the existence of community and government partnerships and problem solving, Consent Decree compliance would be virtually impossible.