Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Politics Over Public Safety? LAPD Backs Out of Arizona Conference
Photo by lauren/pagni via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Photo by lauren/pagni via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Every year the LAPD attends the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Conference, which happens to be in Arizona this year. As such, the helicopter-heavy department had to go through some hoops this time around because the L.A. City Council voted to approve a boycott of the state, which included official travel, over its recent immigration law. Councilmembers Greig Smith, a reserve officer, and Bernard Park, former LAPD chief, introduced a motion hoping to waive travel restrictions for four personnel to attend the conference, but it was tabled -- perhaps the police foundation would pay for it -- and now the whole trip is canceled "in respect" of the boycott.
LAPD Chief Charile Beck emphasized to the LA Times that the department is not a political entity even if canceling the trip was out of respect for the Arizona ban. He said the helicopter training was not essential and could be done elsewhere.
But the move is not sitting well with the LAPD's union president Paul Weber. "Apparently, the LAPD command staff decided that it should spare the City Council the embarrassment of voting on this issue," he blogged. "By placing political correctness above public safety, the Department did itself no favors. Clearly the training, considered to be one of the premier trainings for air support policing, was important enough for the Department to approve sending them in the first place - despite the budgetary constraints and long before the City Council enacted its boycott."
Previously: Arizona Boycott Means Bureaucracy for LAPD Helicopter Officers Trying to Attend Conference
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
