CommentsRANTZ & RAVEZ-On May 12 at the Skirball Center, I attended -- along with hundredsof Los Angeles residents, business owners and Los Angeles Reserve Police Officers -- the annual “Twice a Citizen” banquet honoring Los Angeles Reserve Police Officers, author Michael Connelly and actor Titus Welliver from the popular hit Bosch.LAPD Chief Charlie Back and his wife Sharon, along with many members of the LAPD command staff, line officers and detectives were also there to celebrate the 70thanniversary of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps and to honor Reserve Officers for their years of service to the people of Los Angeles. All were dressed in their Hollywood best to show appreciation and support for the Reserve Officers.
I was among those honored to receive a city five-diamond pin for my 50 years of continuous service as an active and reserve member of the LAPD.
There was a visual lack of support from members of the Los Angeles Police Commission, none of whom attended the event. Councilmember Mitchell Englander, also a reserve officer, was the only elected city official to attend. I suppose that members of the Police Commission, the Mayor, the Los Angeles City Council, the City Controller, the City Attorney, and the rest of the LA City Council had more important issues in their lives than to show appreciation, support and respect for our LAPD Reserve Officers at a Saturday night banquet.
For the record, the following are the current Los Angeles Police Commissioners, all appointed by the Mayor:
President Steve Soboroff
Vice President Matthew M. Johnson
Sandra Figueroa-Villa
Cynthia McClain-Hill
Shane Murphy Goldsmith
The Function and Role of the Board of Police Commissioners
The Board of Police Commissioners serves as the head of the LAPD, functioning like a corporate board of directors, setting policies for the department and overseeing its operations. The Board works in conjunction with the Chief of Police who acts as the chief executive officer and reports to the Board. There are five civilian members who make up the Board of Police Commissioners.
LAPD Reserve officers are dedicated citizens who are motivated to enter a law enforcement environment to serve the people of our city as volunteers while also engaged in a full-time profession. Doctors, attorneys, airline pilots, accounts and a host of other professionals dedicate their talents and join the full-time officers in “Protecting and Serving” the people of LA.
If you are interested in learning how to become an LAPD Reserve Officer, visit your local LAPD station and speak with the divisional reserve officer coordinator. There are many benefits that come with the title “LAPD Reserve Police Officer.” Look into it today and explore the opportunity to serve your fellow citizens.
(Dennis P. Zine is a former and retired LAPD Supervisor, former and retired 12-year Los Angeles City Councilman and current General Manager at Bell Canyon in Ventura County. He is a candidate for the upcoming Assembly District 45 election.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
