California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2017_Winter Magazine Final | Page 29

Utilizing Motor Officers and the fundamentals taught
in Motor School, they began with their first class in 2015.
Staff provides riders with demonstrations followed by
hands on instruction of the skill sets that will keep them
out of trouble on the streets. Heavy emphasis is given to
learning to master control of their bikes through utilization
of “cone patterns.” Riders participate in drills that em-
phasize critical skills such as emergency braking, obstacle
avoidance and negotiating curves. The 8-hour course is
intense, with almost every rider demon strating marked
improvement by the end of the day. The demand is ev-
er-growing, now being sought by riders and clubs from all
over the southern California region. The department just
completed its 19th ‘Ride to Live’ class this past November,
with additional free classes already slated for 2018.
https://ridetolive.com/
EASING TENSION AND INCREASING COMMUNI-
CATION WITH SCOTTIE, THE FACILITY DOG
According to Sergeant Chris Cognac, the Hawthorne
Police Department has also started taking up non-tradi-
tional police roles with the help of Scottie, the department’s
facility dog. Scottie is a police canine, but unlike traditional
ones, his job is to increase communication within segments
of the community, and ease tensions for victims and family
members. One of the first of his kind in the country, and
led by handler Police Service Officer Lameka Bell, Scottie
and Lameka have developed interactive in-roads never
seen before in human-centric efforts.
Scottie was trained for three years with Canine Compan-
ions for Independence ® to provide companionship services.
He has been trained to empathize with people, providing
calm support at times of crisis or need. As a result, Scottie
has helped the Hawthorne Police Department to connect
with the community, and crime victims, on a more personal
level.
Scottie’s services came notably into play during an in-
cident’s aftermath in 2012. 33-year-old Inglewood resident
Filimon Lamas was killed in front of family as he protected
them during a home invasion attack. Scottie was brought
in at different junctures and at the press conference, com-
forting family and attendees. Handler Lameka also made
home visits with Scottie to aid in the week’s following.
Today, the department sends Scottie and Lameka out on a