“Fiftieth LAPD Academy Class Reunion for Class of 1966.”

WHAT:
“Class of 1966”, 50th Reunion.

WHEN:
Saturday, August 6, 2016
6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

WHERE:
Hyatt Regency Hotel and Resort
21500 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

WHO:
Los Angeles Police Department retirees from the “Class of 1966”

WHY:
The William H. Parker “Class of 1966” entered service running headlong into the turbulent 60’s and 70’s. This period of time may arguably encompass the most tumultuous social changes of the twentieth century. Massive anti-war demonstrations, the emergence of the drug culture, inspired and encouraged by Dr. Timothy Leary’s mantra of “tune in, turn on and drop out.” They were attacked by the Black Panthers, the Weather Underground, Symbionese Liberation Army, and the Blackstone Rangers.

They started their first 10 years with six shot .38 caliber revolvers, undependable ballistic vests, and cumbersome, unreliable means for ‘out of vehicle’ communications, but they got the job done, they thrived and survived.

Sixty five (65) of them, including spouses, are here today to celebrate our 50th class reunion.

William Henry Parker III (June 21, 1905 – July 16, 1966) was the longest serving Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and has been called “Los Angeles’ greatest and most controversial Chief of Police. He served on the Department for 39 years (8/8/27 – 7/16/66), 16 years as its Chief. The former headquarters for the LAPD, Parker Center, was named after him, and remained so for fifty years. It now sits vacant, soon to become a parking lot.

Chief Parker is credited with transforming the LAPD into a world renowned Law Enforcement agency. The department he took over in 1950 was notoriously corrupt. Seeing the old ward peacekeeping politics, with its heavy involvement with bipartisan groups in the police department, and the commingling of political circles with vice and corruption on the streets (a la the film L.A. Confidential), led him to conclude that a different organized police force was necessary to keep the peace.

His leadership, integrity and zeal brought him international renown. He streamlined the entire Department, rigidly enforced Civil Service procedures, insisted that the public be kept informed of Department activities, demanded discipline, eliminated wasteful spending, and pioneered narcotics and civil rights enforcement. Congress and governments throughout the world sought his expertise, and his honors were legion. For many, Parker remains the prototype of the ideal Chief.

CONTACT:
For further information regarding this event, please contact Larry Manchester, Retired Lieutenant, at 775-223-7804 or email:latopgun@charter.net.