LACP.org
.........
Chief Martin Pomeroy
Thank you
!
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Chief Martin Pomeroy
Thank you!

October, 2002
Dear Chief Pomeroy:

We wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the thousands of community policing advocates of Los Angeles, civilian and sworn, to thank you for your service to us all.

Your leadership came at an important time. The Department needed to be guided by a steady hand, firm yet fair, and the community needed to feel its contributions were welcomed once again.

In a few short months you accomplished both.

You began your 32 year career with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1969, and served as a Deputy Chief from 1993 until your retirement in December 2000. In May 2002, the Police Commission selected you as the Los Angeles Police Department’s Temporary Chief of Police.

Perhaps they could not have made a better choice.

Time and again we saw you demonstrate a style of leadership that resonated with the steady strength of a man committed to guiding the LAPD, and the City it serves, to a place where healing and cooperation could begin.

We are all the better for this.

Here are the words you used in May, 2002, as you wrote your:

"Welcome Message to Department Employees"

"First, let me say that it is an honor and a privilege to return to the Department and serve as your Chief of Police for the coming months. I served with this proud organization for 32 years and I know without a doubt that the LAPD is the premier law enforcement agency in the world. It is my desire to enhance the sense of pride and commitment that made us a world leader. I believe in this organization and I am pleased to be a part of it’s continuing legacy."

"I pledge to work with you to make the LAPD a better place to work. I pledge fairness and reason during my administration. I will have high expectations of all of us. Together we will make this city a safer and better place to live. The test of how well we do will include whether we reduce the crime rate. We will also be measured by how well we work with the public and the officials that they have elected to represent them. We will be required to make changes in how we police this city. Therefore, we will also be measured by how willingly we embrace and implement these changes. I am asking you to accept and support the changes that are now required of us. It is time to renew our commitment and dedicate ourselves to the betterment of this Department. We have been through tumultuous time, influenced by scandal and internal discord. Tough times are nothing new. We will come through these difficulties stronger and better than ever."

"This agency was the best largely because we believed that we were. Our people have always been our greatest strength. That is why I now turn to you with every confidence that you can measure up to all of those expectations placed upon us. I urge you to do your best at all times and to take pride in your efforts. Do not hesitate to claim that you belong to the number one police department in the world. I sincerely believe that you do, and that this Department is still capable of greatness. Now is the time to demonstrate that greatness. We must reduce crime, enhance public confidence and strengthen community and governmental relationships."

"Together, we can make Los Angeles a great place to live and the LAPD a great place to work ... "

Recently you have received standing ovations when introduced in public. You deserve this.

The Academy is full, officers are returning to the ranks, crime is on the way down, and the community has once again begun to believe its participation is welcomed by LAPD.

Many have said they regret "losing" you, but we here at Los Angeles Community Policing know your heart will always be with the Department and community you have served so well.

We hope you'll continue to check in with us at LACP.org knowing we will welcome any contributions you care to make over the months ahead. This is your forum, too, Chief.

The well over 10,000 readers who stop by each month will want to hear from you. Yours is a unique perspective.

As you prepare to re-retire to your outdoor life in Montana, to rejoin Pam, your wife since 1968, walk tall and proud.

You've done what you promised back in late June, when you spoke at a Townhall event that preceded the final "Community Criteria for the New Chief" meeting. Here are your closing remarks:

Chief Pomeroy Speech, June 27th, 2002, Occidental College

" ... my goal is to turn over an organization that is proud, that's working together, that has its eye fixed on a spot on the horizon we're all marching towards, so that we can legitimately say to the new Chief, just a few months from now, 'Here is YOUR new organization, YOU should be proud of it as we are' ... "

You have achieved your goal, and we thank you sincerely on behalf of the officers and residents active in the quest for a commitment to a real community policing philosophy and partnership in Los Angeles.

We remain in your debt, and,

Yours in service,

Bill Murray

Director
Los Angeles Community Policing

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The next Chief will be sworn in during a "Change of Command Ceremony" where Chief Martin Pomeroy will turn over control of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The event will occur at the Police Academy on Monday, October 28th, at 11am. The public is invited to attend.

This will be the culmination of a process set in motion this past Spring, when the Board of Police Commissioners denied then Chief Bernard Parks a second five year term.

Please attend to show your appreciation for Chief Pomeroy as he steps down and your support of the LAPD and its new commanding officer, Chief William Bratton!