100 West First Street
Room 466
Los Angeles, California 90012
213-486-5900
The Public Communications Group (PCG) deals exclusively with matters related to the sharing of information between the Department and the public it serves. The PCG goal is to ensure that open lines of communication are maintained at all times with all segments of the greater Los Angeles community.
It is a well-established tenet of law enforcement that openness of communication is a major building block in gaining the trust and confidence of the public. The organizational entities within PCG employ tried and proven methods to keep the Los Angeles public fully informed on the activities of its police department. One such method is by establishing and maintaining this web site. Here you can gain a tremendous understanding of virtually every aspect of the Department’s operations without leaving home, school or the library. Other PCG methods employed are more personal such as media interviews. In all cases the major thrust of PCG mission is to provide you, the public, with information that is complete, accurate, and up-to-date.
The Public Communication Group is a primary organizational component of the Office of the Chief of Police. Its activities are directed by the Public Communications Group
The Media Relations Section of the Los Angeles Police Department fosters cooperation and mutual respect between the Department and the news media. The members of MRS are dedicated and highly trained individuals who understand the importance of using the media as a valuable resource to keep the public informed as to the Department’s activities. In this regard, they realize that their role is to assist members of the media in completing the task of gathering information and reporting on news events impacting residents and visitors to the City of Los Angeles. The public’s perception and image of the Department is largely dependent on the hard work of MRS.
History of MRS
Prior to the late 1950s, the Los Angeles Police Department had no central location from which members of the media could obtain information regarding the various newsworthy events in which the Department had played a part. As a result, individual members of the media and the Department were often parties to news gathering endeavors that resulted in hastily assembled, disjointed and often contradictory stories disseminated to the public.
Following a series of negative events involving the Department, which were reported by the media within traditional and accepted journalistic practices, a need was identified that involved providing the media with easy access to accurate information relative to Department activities. This need was acted upon and the eventual creation of the Media Relations Section (MRS) was the result.
In its present form, MRS fosters cooperation and mutual respect between the Department and the news media. The Police Department actively pursues, cultivates, and encourages an open and responsive relationship with the media; MRS is the vehicle by which it does so. As a world-famous capital, Los Angeles generates news with far-reaching interest. The resultant inquiries by worldwide media for specialized information and assistance concerning specific news assignments are routed to MRS for action. Certain other requests for assistance by motion picture/television writers, directors, producers, etc. may be handled by MRS personnel.