LACP.org
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LAPD's Community Police Academy Programs
for those engaged in LA Community Policing

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LAPD's Community Police Academy Programs
for those engaged in LA Community Policing


We cannot stress the relevance and importance of attending one of LAPD's Community Police Academy Programs to anyone interested in LA Community Policing. Several of our volunteers have graduated from these wonderful courses, which are offered in each of the four Bureaus.


LACP's Bobbie Logan and Everett Littlefield both attended last year's Operations-Central Bureau adult class, and Bobbie wrote an article about her experience: Community Police Academy, 2002


Another of our enthusiastic participants, Yvette Jones (a Southwest C-PAB Member), graduated from South Bureau's Academy in May. She offers her perspective in a speech she delivered to her class below.

Following Yvette's offering, we'll give you some info on the the other classes offered around town.

Each Bureau conducts Academy Classes designed to engage the community it serves. Most hold both Adult and Youth versions, and have classes in Spanish, but Operations-West Bureau for example has just completed a class in Korean and the next one will be held for its Persian residents.

The basic criteria is the same for the entire City.
Each community member must:

Must be 18 years or older;
Live or work in the Bureau;
No prior felony conviction;
No outstanding warrants;
No pending criminal cases; and
Must be approved by an Area Commanding Officer.

Interested residents should contact the Officer-in-Charge of the Community Relations Office for their local police station to obtain current accurate schedule info and to find out how to apply.

We'll include contact information for each of the Bureaus below,too.

To kick this off, here's what Yvette wanted to share about her recent experience:



Operations-South Bureau Police Academy

by Yvette Jones
Southwest C-PAB Member


2003 Class Coordinators:
Sgt. Darrell Belthius
& Officer Gloria Vasquez
213 / 485-4252

Classes were held from 3/18 to 5/2/03 and the Graduation was held on May 31, 2003 @ 9:00 am at LAPD's Elysian Park Police Academy.

There were 37 graduates in my class:

12 -
17 -
6 -
2 -
Southwest Division
Harbor Division
77th Street Division
Southeast Division

The topics we covered were: The Organizational Structure of the Los Angeles Police Department, Goals and Objectives of Community Policing, Laws of Arrest, Criminal Law, Search and Seizure, Use of Force, FATS (Firearms and Training Simulator, Vice Operations, Patrol Operations, 77th Jail Tour, Detective Operations, Internal Affairs, Traffic Enforcement, Pursuit Policy, Domestic Violence, Crime Scene Investigations, Specialized Divisions, Youth At Risk, Juvenile Services, Youth Groups, Air Support, Bomb Investigations, Racial Profiling Laws and Myths, City Attorney and District Attorney Functions.

I had the pleasure of being the spokesperson for the group from Southwest Division. Here is the speech that was delivered that day:

Speech delivered to Academy Graduates, May 31, 2003

First of all I'd like to say thank you to the Los Angeles Police Department for putting together this wonderful program, for sacrificing Sgt Darrell Belthius and staff members in order to accommodate us -- they did a tremendous job putting together these very interesting power point presentations. Each night was interesting, you never wanted to miss a night because he had such an interesting speakers lined up.

I commend Chief Bratton for allowing this program to continue. We can now understand better some of the issues surrounding the LAPD budget and we are very grateful that this program was allowed to continue in light of those issues. I really believe that it's through programs such as these that will help build and bridge the gap between LAPD and the community in order to work together more efficiently to improve the quality of life.

I'm recalling a time (in the 70's) when I was a child. My friends and I looked upon the LAPD as heroes. I remember all the kids in my neighborhood running to the police car to get baseball cards and that terrible bubble gum that they used to give out. But there was a positive rapport with the community.

Being a part of this programs was like recapturing those childhood feelings of trust that I had for the police as a child, except for this time I don't want the bubble gum or cards, I will be looking for my badge and gun.

One of the things that I've definitely gained from this program is a tremendous amount of newfound respect for our officers. We only got a glimpse into the many different types of training our officers experience, which helps me really understand why you are called "L.A.'s Finest" they are just that.

My classmates and I have gone thru 30 hrs of bits and pieces of this type of training and I must say that it has totally changed my prospective of the job that is before our officers. We were afforded the opportunity to learn of the many obstacles and problems officers face, while protecting and serving our community. The information we've learned in these classes was invaluable and empowering.

Here is where I would like to encourage my classmates to use all that you have learned in order to make a difference in your community. We are living in perilous times and can no longer afford to close our eyes, or have the "I don't want to get involved attitude" and ignore the violence that is overtaking our streets. We have to be prepared to do our part.

As I close, I ask God for his protection over our officers while they continue to protect and serve, and I pray that the communities come together and help be the additional support that you need.

Thank you and God bless all of you for the tremendous job you do.

Yvette Jones
Southwest C-PAB Member

Interested residents should contact the Officer-in-Charge of the Community Relations Office for their local police station to obtain current accurate schedule info and to find out how to apply:

South Bureau
~~ 77th Street
~~ Harbor
~~ Southeast
~~ Southwest
7600 South Broadway, LA
7600 South Broadway, LA
2175 John S. Gibson Blvd., San Pedro
145 West 108th Street, LA
1546 West Martin Luther King Blvd., LA
213 / 485-4251
213 / 485-8512
310 / 548-7600
213 / 847-3108
213 / 847-5800

For further information, please contact:

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Operations-South Bureau


Sgt. Darrell Belthius
or
Officer Gloria Vasquez

213 / 485-4252


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Operations-Valley Bureau Community Police Academy

by Officer Cheri Roberts
Operations-Valley Bureau


The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has established a Community Police Academy program that provides community members with an inside look at the LAPD and various facets of law enforcement. The program is a multi-week course taught one night a week and is designed to develop a partnership between police and members of the community.

The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional law enforcement academy, allowing the students an opportunity to see police related activities from within the Department as well as providing them with a basic knowledge of the daily operations of law enforcement.

During the course students will be introduced to basic police operations which will include: The History of the Department, Patrol Operations, Criminal Law, Search & Seizure, Laws of Arrest, Hate Crimes, Pursuit Policy, Air Support, Drug Enforcement, Gang Awareness, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Additionally, students will have the opportunity to tour Communications & Jail Division, assess their ability to perform the Field Sobriety Test while wearing the "Driving Under the Influence goggles," and utilize the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS).

During the final class there is a graduation ceremony and students will receive a certificate of completion signed by the Bureau Deputy Chief and the Chief of Police.

Operations-Valley Bureau offers three different academies per year. The Academy for Young Adults is a collaborative program between the LAPD and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The goal is to provide students with experiences designed to help them make informed career choices and formulate a strategy to ensure a successful future. This program is eight weeks long and usually begins in March.

The Police Academy for Adults is a ten-week course and is currently scheduled to begin on September 18, 2003. The Spanish-speaking Academy (same as adult, but is organized for Spanish speakers) is a ten-week course and is currently scheduled for October 1, 2003.

Candidates for the program must meet specific criteria and be approved by their Area's Commanding Officer. To apply for the program please contact the Community Relations Office of your local Division.

Interested residents should contact the Officer-in-Charge of the Community Relations Office for their local police station to obtain current accurate schedule info and to find out how to apply:

Valley Bureau
~~ Devonshire
~~ Foothill
~~ N. Hollywood
~~ Van Nuys
~~ West Valley

10250 Etiwanda Avenue, Northridge
12760 Osborne Street, Pacoima
11640 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood
6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys
19020 Vanowen Street, Reseda
818 / 756-8303
818 / 756-8270
818 / 756-8866
818 / 623-4001
818 / 756-8308
818 / 756-8406

For further information, please contact:

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Operations-Valley Bureau


Officer Cheri Roberts

818 / 756-8063

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Operations-West Bureau Community Police Academy

by Officer Jeff Phelps
Operations-West Bureau


On August 28, 2003, Operations-West Bureau will conduct the Community Police Academy for the Adult Persian Community. The eleven-week course will be held at the West Los Angeles Area Roll Call Room located at 1663 Butler Ave., West LA Division, each Thursday evening between 6:30 and 9:30 pm. The course will conclude with a graduation ceremony on November 13, 2003.

Through the Community Police Academy, enrolled students will be encouraged to build a lasting partnership with the Department, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Classes will be conducted in: Organizational Structure of the LAPD, History of the LAPD, Patrol Procedures and Community Policing, Pursuit Policy, Traffic Enforcement and DUI, Personnel and Hiring, K-9, Crime Scene / Homicide Investigations, Child Abuse Investigations, Criminal Law, Search & Seizure and Laws of Arrest, Hate Crimes, Vice Operations, Gang Intervention Team, Tour of Communications and Air Support Division, HAZMAT, SWAT, North Hollywood Shootout, Use of Force and Firearms Training Simulators, Domestic Violence, Narcotics Enforcement, Bomb Squad, Internal Affairs and Discipline, Identity Theft Crimes, and an Academy Course Critique.

Interested residents should contact the Officer-in-Charge of the Community Relations Office for their local police station to obtain current accurate schedule info and to find out how to apply:

West Bureau
~~ Hollywood
~~ Pacific
~~ W. LA
~~ Wilshire
4849 West Venice Blvd., LA
1358 North Wilcox Avenue, Hollywood
12312 Culver Blvd., LA
1663 Butler Avenue, LA
4861 West Venice Blvd., LA

213 / 473-0277
213 / 485-4310
310 / 202-4525
310 / 575-8431
213 / 473-0445

For further information, please contact:

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Operations-West Bureau


Officer Jeff Phelps
or
Officer Jose Ceja

213 / 473-0266

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Operations-Central Bureau Community Police Academy
by Sergeant Daryl M. Russell

Since June 5, 2003, Operations-Central Bureau has been conducting their Community Police Academy for Adults. The ten-week course is being held at the ELysian Park Police Academy, 1880 North Academy Drive, Los Angeles, each Thursday between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. The course will conclude with a graduation ceremony on August 14, 2003.

Although the class now in session is offered is for adults, and in English, Operations Central Bureau also conducts versions for youth and in Spanish.

Through the Community Police Academy, enrolled students will be encouraged to build a lasting partnership with the Department, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

The mult-week course, taught one night a week at the Police Academy provides students with an inside look at the LAPD and various facets of law enforcement.

Interested citizens should contact the Officer-in-Charge of the Community Relations Office for their local police station:

Central Bureau
~~ Central
~~ Hollenbeck
~~ Newton
~~ Northeast
~~ Rampart
251 East 6th Street, LA
251 East 6th Street, LA
2111 East 1st Street, LA
3400 South Central Avenue, LA
3353 San Fernando Road, LA
2710 West Temple Street, LA
213 / 485-3101
213 / 485-6586
323 / 526-3188
323 / 846-6504
213 / 485-2548
213 / 847-1903

For further information, please contact:

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Operations-Central Bureau

Sergeant Daryl M. Russell
or
Officer Sonia Dibell

213 / 485-2651

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