Comments on: Sharon Papa Responds

By: Bob Gallegos

Bob Gallegos — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:03:31 +0000

Sharon Papa is lying, she was in charge of the BOI that looked into the Pena incident (copy available KFI640.com). The board worked on that matter over a year. She also made the comment “Why are there no women in SWAT” at a SWAT team briefing.

By: Ed O'Shea

Ed O'Shea — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:23:12 +0000

It’s troubling to see evidence that integrity at the upper ranks of my Police Department is demonstrably none existent! Below I have posted the 6 Core Values of the Los Angeles Police Department! Just about every one of these values applies to this topic and Chief Bratton and Asst. Chief Papa should pay particular attention to their lack of adherence to # 4!
The reason Bratton is so incensed about this issue being leaked is because he is NEVER taken to task on any issue, no matter how ignorant he is on the subject! We all saw how arrogant he was when the reporter had the audacity to ask if a shooting was racially motivated. One of the major problems with the upper ranks of the LAPD, is it’s like the Michael Jackson effect (Gee Mike do you think it’s a good idea to be bed with a 6 year old boy?, What, your fired!). Meaning Bratton has all of the upper ranks to scared to disagree with him, so they all say YES SIR, to every hair brained thing he does! I think Profiles in Courage (The Commemorative Edition) should be required reading by all upper ranks of the LAPD! Also required reading should be “It doesn’t Take Hero” By Gen. H. Norman Schwartzkopf! These two recommendations would assist the “Leaders” of the LAPD in making the unpopular, yet correct decisions, while showing them what a true leader is like, in Gen. Schwartzkopf! They also should read the core values and reevaluate why they became “Police Officers” in the first place! At one time all of them sat across the table and waxed about helping people and, here’s a novel concept “doing the right thing no matter who’s watching or who you’re working for!
Bring back Civil Service Protection for the Chief of Police or the status quo of political appointments will continue to tear this city apart! Have the Chief voted in?! Something, anything is better than the corruption we have now! There are plenty of good reasons not having political figures appointing Law Enforcement Officers! Are Eliot Spitzer, Marion Barry or our MIA Mayor the kinds of people you want appointing Police Chiefs? Stepping off the box. Happy Easter to all!

Core Values of the LAPD

The Core Values of the Los Angeles Police Department are intended to guide and inspire us in all we say and do. Making sure that our values become part of our day-to-day work life is our mandate, and they help to ensure that our personal and professional behavior can be a model for all to follow.

▪ Service to Our Communities
▪ Reverence for the Law
▪ Commitment to Leadership
▪ Integrity in All We Say and Do
▪ Respect for People
▪ Quality Through Continuous Improvement

Service to Our Communities
We are dedicated to enhancing public safety and reducing the fear and the incidence of crime. People in our communities are our most important customers. Our motto “To Protect and to Serve” is not just a slogan - it is our way of life. We will work in partnership with the people in our communities and do our best, within the law, to solve community problems that effect public safety. We value the great diversity of people in both our residential and business communities and serve all with equal dedication.

Reverence for the Law
We have been given the honor and privilege of enforcing the law. We must always exercise integrity in the use of the power and authority that have been given to us by the people. Our personal and professional behavior should be a model for all to follow. We will obey and support the letter and spirit of the law.

Commitment to Leadership
We believe the Los Angeles Police Department should be a leader in law enforcement. We also believe that each individual needs to be a leader in his or her area of responsibility. Making sure that our values become part of our day-to-day work life is our mandate. We must each work to ensure that our co-workers, our professional colleagues, and our communities have the highest respect for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Integrity in All We Say and Do
Integrity is our standard. We are proud of our profession and will conduct ourselves in a manner that merits the respect of all people. We will demonstrate honest, ethical behavior in all our interactions. Our actions will match our words. We must have the courage to stand up for our beliefs and do what is right. Throughout the ranks, the Los Angeles Police Department has a long history of integrity and freedom from corruption. Upholding this proud tradition is a challenge we must all continue to meet.

Respect for People
Working with the Los Angeles Police Department should be challenging and rewarding. Our people are our most important resource. We can best serve the many and varied needs of our communities by empowering our employees to fulfill their responsibilities with knowledge, authority, and appropriate discretion. We encourage our people to submit ideas, we listen to their suggestions, and we help them develop to their maximum potential. We believe in treating all people with respect and dignity. We show concern and empathy for the victims of crime and treat violators of the law with fairness and dignity. By demonstrating respect for others, we will earn respect for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Quality Through Continuous Improvement
We will strive to achieve the highest level of quality in all aspects of our work. We can never be satisfied with the “status quo.” We must aim for continuous improvement in serving the people in our communities. We value innovation and support creativity. We realize that constant change is a way of life in a dynamic city like Los Angeles, and we dedicate ourselves to proactively seeking new and better ways to serve.

By: DRJ

DRJ — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:50:38 +0000

I’m struggling to understand the basic facts here, let alone make a judgment about them. After reading this post and rereading the earlier post, a SWAT wife wrote Assistant Chief Sharon Papa about whether SWAT admission standards would be lowered. Thereafter, the SWAT wife received a reply that purported to be from Papa saying, “I am not aware of any actions being taken to lower the standards for getting into SWAT.”

Now, however, Papa apparently claims she never sent a reply to the SWAT wife. Instead, the SWAT wife’s email was forwarded to someone else and that unknown person replied to the SWAT wife. If so, this sounds like Hogan’s Heroes with Papa in the role of Sgt. Schultz and echoing his signature line, “I know nothing.”

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:47:25 +0000

Now that Bratton was given his contract renewal, he is set. Short of willful negligence/fraud, he can do whatever he likes with the sure knowledge that he will be up for a major federal post (Director of Homeland Security, anybody) if a Democrat wins. If that falls through, he can retire with a very fat pension at the end of this contract.

We, the people, are in a tough spot.

By: nk

nk — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:35:17 +0000

Chicago’s Police Board was put together by the same guy who put together yours, O.W. Wilson, and it’s basically a rubber stamp for the Superintendent (Chief). I used to monitor its meetings but I got no more information for being there in person than was in the press package and all the real business (such as ratifying recommendations for discipline and promotions) was done in executive session. I don’t know that operations were even within their purview.

By: Ed O'Shea

Ed O'Shea — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:31:08 +0000

I failed spelling in school! But feverish typing gets my blood pumping.

By: Ed O'Shea

Ed O'Shea — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:28:39 +0000

Well, Pat, she lied AGAIN! Two of the things she is in charge of are Risk Management (I am sure the gagged the legalities of such a decision) and Personnel Group and ALL testing goes through them! You can’t fart on the LAPD without Risk Management assessing the legal ramifications of flatulence! She is an Assistant Chief, I see some serious misconduct going on here, by Assistant Chief Papa and Chief Bratton! Who should I report it too? IA is Brattons henchmen squad, so the people of LA are going to have to stay in the fight and continue to assist! Papa has been Brattons LAPD wing-Woman since he got out here, and SHE had NO idea that Bratton was determined to make these changes? Riiiiiiiiiiiight! Pat, thanks for getting this info out to the public, they need to know what kind of “transparency” Bratton is really into! He is already using his power to try and locate and destroy anyone caught with their hands in this. This is only the tip of the iceberg! Papa and Bratton should remember that most of us became Police Officers to stand up for the little guy and people that couldn’t stand up for themselves. To confront the bullies and enforce the laws! To Serve and To Protect, and that includes against wrongs we see in our own department! They don’t remember the Oath, and sertianly don’t know what it’s like going through a door with an armed suspect on the other side! So why do arrogant types like these two think that Officers will just stand in the corner and take punches, without fighting back? Enough is enough and we’re just happy that the LAT (finally) and the people are not giving these REMF’s a pass! These upper snobs forget that everything is recorded nowadays and there will be a trail of evidence they can’t deny! Grab your popcorn ladies and gentlemen, but remember this situation calls for public participation! Thanks All.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:58:15 +0000

I would think that someone in Hollywood would take this as an opportunity to write a script for a new SWAT movie. Something like “SWAT II: the PC Police” Situations that involve tension could include encounters with the personnel department or figuring out the appropriate accomodations for new appointees. It couldn’t be any worse than the local news from LA.

By: huey

huey — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:30:37 +0000

“Officer Survival Tactics” has a different meaning to the street patrol officer and anyone that is a lieutenant or above.

By: rab

rab — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:56:26 +0000

The SWAT team should inform the authorities that they will resign
if the standards are reduced.

I’m sure they could all find a better job with better pay. Safer too!