LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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FOP President discusses allegations

RE: FOP President discusses allegations

August 17th, 2010 @ 6:34AM (14 years ago)

KEEP ON KEEPING FAITH AT THE LAPD AMID SCANDAL, MANY OFFICERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO IDEALS.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Despite the Los Angeles Police Department's recent Rampart Division scandal, growing mistrust by the public and sagging morale among officers, Vass is among many officers on the force who remain gung-ho. `I look forward to coming in every day,'' said Vass, 27, who since December has patrolled the northeast San Fernando Valley's Foothill Division. ``We work with good people, we keep people alive, we help abused kids - we don't just put people away, we make a difference in people's lives.

Working for the LAPD, however, can come with thorns. According to the study and police interviews, officers are particularly upset with a new disciplinary system that they claim leaves them vulnerable to frivolous complaints. A sense of siege from public, media and political scrutiny has not helped morale.

``After 20 years, I don't know why anybody'd do this thankless job,'' confided one watch commander. This feeling is reflected by other cops, despite an enthusiasm for police work.

``It's the greatest job in the world,'' said Officer Jeff Smith, 31, of Foothill at the end of a shift on patrol. ``I just enjoy helping people, to be in the middle of what's going on. ``I still love doing my job, and I believe there are still 20 percent left that are still doing hard-charging work,'' Smith said. ``The rest are worried about their house payments, their families and everything else. More people are more afraid of being burned by their own department than a gang member with an AK-47 on the street.''

ANYTHING ELSE TO RAMBLE ON ABOUT BIG CITY WATCH COMMANDER?