LAPD Issues Report On Enhanced SLO Program

Los Angeles – Recognizing that there are hundreds of unique communities within Los Angeles, each of which in many ways has unique needs and expectations of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Department, based on directions from former Los Angeles City Mayor Richard Riordan and the Los Angeles Police Commission, engaged in exhaustive discussions with the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), to address recommended changes to the Department’s deployment of Senior Lead Officers (SLOs).

As a result, several significant enhancements to the SLO Program were identified. These enhancements included the requirements that all SLOs attend roll calls, that SLOs be able to work field duties and that they continue to satisfy two of their primary missions of training less-tenured officers, while continuing with their prior liaison and mobilization of the community. The enhancements, once memorialized in totality, were approved by the Los Angeles Police Commission and issued throughout the Department on March 28, 2001 in the form of an Administrative Order (See Attached Administrative Order No. 2 – Institutionalization of the Ideal Basic Car).

Contrary to recent claims by the LAPPL, the Department did not “. . . dismantle the [SLO] program to redeploy the officers to other assignments in 1999.” The Department’s position has been, and will continue to be, that the responsibility for community policing rests with all Department employees and not just 168 SLOs. Senior Lead Officers have a responsibility to impart their expertise with the other members of their particular ideal basic cars. As part of their commitment to the community, and consistent with one of three bonuses that they are receiving, they also have a responsibility to train other less tenured (probationary) officers.

The claim by the LAPPL that the Department improperly deploys SLOs is one made without any supporting evidence or documentation. Contrary to the League’s assertions, Page 9 of the policy (Administrative Order No. 2) clearly requires that SLOs remain part of the overall field deployment and that each SLO should usually work their Basic Car at least once a week. Additionally, Pages 8 and 9 of the policy delineates the duties and expectations of SLOs.

While the LAPPL has offered no evidence or documentation to support their claim, the Department, on May 31, 2001, submitted a report to the Los Angeles Police Commission, detailing the Department’s deployment of SLOs for the period covering April 8th to May 5th, 2001. The report concluded that the actual deployment of SLOs during the period was consistent with the SLO Deployment Plan, as approved by the Commission. While there were some deviations, these deviations resulted from external factors beyond the control of the Area commanding officer’s discretion. It should be noted that the Los Angeles Police Commission adopted the report.

The Department remains committed to engaging in efforts to create the type of environment that allows all members of the LAPD to partnership with and embrace the community policing philosophy. Los Angeles Chief of Police Bernard C. Parks reiterated his previous commitment, stating, ” The number one priority of the Los Angeles Police Department is to provide the highest level of service to the people of the Los Angeles community. The driving philosophy to providing this service is community-based policing/government, which includes territorial imperative, partnerships, problem-solving and total institutionalization.”

This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.