LAPD firepower *

Chief William Bratton opens his latest newsletter with praise for the Glocks and Tasers that LAPD officers are starting to carry, and lists some of the more high-tech tools that officers are using to catch the bad guys. Excerpt:

Over the past year we have accomplished a lot to improve Department Operations, take crime fighting into the 21st century, and improve officer safety. One successful and popular improvement has been the decision to use selected models of the Glock semi-automatic pistol as an optional duty weapon. I believe it’s a superior weapon and recruits in the academy are now issued the 40-caliber Glock pistol. Seventy percent of law enforcement agencies nationwide use Glocks. Although initially there was a problem with the 45 caliber model not firing correctly, all 1,800 of that model purchased by LAPD officers have been retrofitted and are now working well in the field....

In August, the Police Commission approved the Department’s request to move forward with the purchase of new X26 TASER’s for field and Detective personnel. This new TASER model is 60 percent smaller and 60 percent lighter than the model currently in use by the Department. It can easily be worn on the belt. Having this tool readily available for use will help reduce injuries to both officers and suspects.

Bratton also says that since May, offices have successfully stopped pursuits by using the PIT manuever twenty times and the Stop Stick eight times. In the works: Digital video for all LAPD patrol cars in South Los Angeles, scanners that will automatically check license plates for wants and warrants, real-time links to surveillance cameras, facial recognition software and “Star Chase” electronic tracking system that can be fired from a patrol car and attached to suspect's cars. Meanwhile, violent crime is now down just 1.2% over this time last year, mostly due to the 8% jump citywide in robbery and the uptick in homicide in some areas.

* Added: The LAPD uses its PR blog today to offer some counterspin on the fear of crime in Koreatown that the LAT reported about yesterday. Bottom line in the department's view: Yes crime is up in some parts of K-Town, yes people are afraid, but the Times should have highlighted where crime was down and the good stuff the LAPD is doing.

Photo: thearmedcitizen.com