Posted on 10/24/2012 5:25:00 PM PDT by Steelfish
Reaching Out To Illegal Immigrants A Core Strategy For LAPD Chief
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's policies involving illegal immigrants have made him a lightning rod for criticism. He says his approach "makes absolute law enforcement sense. Any one of these things I’ve done is directly tied to public safety.” (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times / April 7, 2011)
By Joel Rubin October 23, 2012 A decade ago, Charlie Beck watched as William J. Bratton arrived in Los Angeles and began rebuilding a department deeply tarnished by the Rodney King beating, riots and corruption scandals. Bratton made many changes as chief, but Beck was particularly taken by his aggressive effort to rebuild the LAPD's broken relationship with the African American community, which over and over Bratton said was a cornerstone to his success.
Beck carried the lesson with him when he replaced Bratton three years ago as chief of the nation's second-largest police force. With nearly half of the city's population Hispanic and the federal government's aggressive efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants sowing fear in immigrant communities, Beck believed that his success or failure as chief rested heavily on whether he could replicate Bratton's success — but this time with Latinos.
His actions have made him a lightning rod for criticism, even from some of his own police officers. But they have also established Beck as a forceful national voice for a more restrained approach to illegal immigration, a high-profile counterpoint to hard-liners like Sheriff Joseph Arpaio in Arizona's Maricopa County.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
A lot of “law enforcement” agencies really aren’t into enforcing the law anymore. They’d much rather do charity stuff and fundraisers. You know. Politically correct stuff like marching in “gay pride” parades.
Very true! Applies to local mayors as well. Villaraigosa, Bloomberg, Guilliani etc.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.