172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 28

POLICING WITH COMPASSION:
Cultivating Relationships During the Global Pandemic
By: Michel R. Moore
Chief of Police – Los Angeles Police Department
28 CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF | www.californiapolicechiefs.org
Over the past two months, the COVID-19 global pandemic
has changed our world dramatically. It has tested our
Nation, City, and the Los Angeles Police Department
(LAPD) in ways few could have imagined. Over the course of
history, the people of the LAPD have worked through both natural
and man-made disasters, civil unrest, and other crisis-level events.
With that said, I am confident we will weather the current storm and
prevail. LAPD officers are demonstrating unmatched dedication,
commitment, and resiliency in their front-line efforts to maintain
vital services, coupled with the recognition that we will, once again,
rise to the challenge of securing the health and safety of the City if
we inspire a collaborative spirit, take care of each other, and show
compassion and empathy in our work each day.
Our emergency response, adjusted deployments, and newly implemented
social-distancing protocols, to include the donning of
face masks, demonstrate our Department’s commitment to honor
the “Safer at Home” order and do our part to stop the spread of
COVID-19. Additionally, the communities we serve look to the
LAPD to lead the way. What we are witnessing, is people honoring
orders and being mindful of the things we are asking of them. It is