In a welcome message posted on Thursday, Chief William J. Bratton writes: By using this Blog, the LAPD hopes to maintain an open dialogue with the communities we serve...Our ultimate goal is for the role of law enforcement officials to evolve from distance protectors and rapid responders to true partners and conduits for meaningful social change.
Another posting promotes FIESTA LAPD 2006 to be held on Saturday. It is billed as a major recruitment event with a Latino theme and features a soccer demonstration, folklorico dancing and other eye catching events and exhibits.
A posting titled We`ve Changed, is a copy of Bratton`s editorial in the Los Angeles Times (registration required) on Wednesday. In it, he writes that This is a new LAPD, with one third of the current police force hired since a consent decree was signed with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2001 demanding reform of the department. The LAPD is trying to clean up its image and reputation following past allegations of corruption, brutality and racism a la Rodney King.
The LAPD has learned from the past and is ready to take on the mantle of accountability the community expects of its police department, Bratton wrote. We are committed to openness, dialogue and best policing practices aimed at making Los Angeles the safest large city in the nation.
