172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 29

grace, compassion, and professionalism that our front-line officers
continue to demonstrate through these unsettling times, that the trust
of the community will be secured and continue to flourish despite restrictions
on face-to-face interactions.
Community trust is important because the safety of Los Angeles
depends on it. Trust necessitates the establishment of relationships
which often requires the type of in-person, ongoing human interactions
we used to enjoy prior to COVID-19. Nonetheless, our
officers have performed above and beyond the call of duty through
the creation of innovative strategies, many of which are technology-based,
to sustain community-based relationships, cultivate new
ones, and ensure our community members feel supported and stay
engaged. Equally impressive is the response of our community
partners, in both the public and private sector, in supporting our
public safety efforts, or in supporting the health and wellness of our
most valuable Department resource—our people—who have been
asked to perform a difficult job under the most difficult conditions.
Despite this global crisis, the values of community engagement, relationship-building,
and a collaborative approach to solving complex
problems, remain priority one for this Department. I have seen the
absolute best of our people as their efforts have served as a beacon
of hope and opportunity to provide a sense of calm and reassurance
during these uncertain and trying times. Further, the community
support we have received, as well as our community partners’ willingness
to serve alongside our front-line officers have inspired me.
Thus, I have never been more proud and honored to be called the
Chief of the LAPD.
At this time, I would like to share some examples of our response to
COVID-19, that illustrate the creativity, innovation, and perseverance
of officers, or which reflect the deeper relationships forged between
our officers, community partners, and the communities we serve.
This is not an exhaustive list of all efforts but exemplify the value of
relationship-building.
• Our Youth Programs Unit, in collaboration with the Weingart
YMCA Wellness and Aquatic Center, participated in a “Grab and
Go” food and toy giveaway event serving the Watts Community
with over 200 bags of food passed out to families in need.
• Using social media outlets such as Zoom, Facebook Live and
Google Duo, our Youth Services Officers, entrusted with
guiding and mentoring our LAPD Cadets (ages 12-17), remain
engaged with youth and their families, in addition to community
groups, and strategic partners. These virtual meetings are hosted
on a weekly basis, and some officers have conducted in-person
home visits with mindfulness of social-distancing protocols.
• Officers assigned to our Community Safety Partnership (CSP),
a relationship-based policing model implemented in our City’s
housing developments and two South Los Angeles Community
parks remain committed to residents and community partners
through bi-weekly virtual meetings, telephone calls, and even
in-person visits while wearing face masks and practicing
social-distancing.
SPRING 2020 | CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF 29