Star & Shield Magazine

The Pendulum Swings Toward Public Safety

We are an association of members who perform honorably with professionalism and endurance within Los Angeles County against the ominous effects of such things as consent decrees, settlement proposals, reformist legislation, new policies based on progressive reform, rising crime, rising assaults on our personnel, massive overtime, mental health challenges, suicide and the rising cost of living. Yet, we still produce quality results within the Sheriff’s Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation. Read More

L.A. Metro to Create Its Own Police Force

On June 27, the executive board of directors who oversee the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) voted unanimously (10–0) to create its own police agency. The vote came after appearances by Long Beach Police Department Chief Wally Hebeish, LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi and LASD Sheriff Robert Luna. The Metro transit system is currently policed under contract arrangements with these three agencies. Read More

Raise the Bar

The Pygmalion effect refers to situations where high expectations lead to improved performance and low expectations lead to worsened performance. It is critical to establish goals and expectations in every area of our life. Have you set expectations for yourself, your team, our Department and our union? What are your expectations for yourself? Maybe it’s physical expectation, a mental mindset, a financial goal or a combination of all three. Whatever expectations we set for ourselves are ones we continue to strive for and work toward every day. Read More

Possible LASD Sales Pitch: This Job Provides for My Family, But I Never See Them

Let’s get right into it. Custody Assistant Academy Class #112 is in progress. This class began with 24 recruits — the most of any class in recent years. They are scheduled to graduate on July 18, and we wish them the best, as every new body helps in the war of attrition. The Department’s on-duty wellness program is meant to ease some of the mental and physical strain of excessive overtime and time drafting. It will allow you to work out on duty, run or meditate. There are parameters. Familiarize yourself with the policy and use it wisely. Read More

Beware of the Scam That Siphoned $4 Billion From the Middle Class Last Year

It’s called “pig butchering,” and all retirees need to be aware of this scam that could cost you your life savings. A mass transfer of wealth from middle-class America to criminal gangs in Southeast Asia and other areas is currently taking place. This scam took $4 billion last year, up over 50% from the year before. All of you need to be aware of it and tell your friends. The scam starts innocently with what appears to be an accidental text or Facebook message … “Hi, how are you?” or “Hi, is this Bill?” Read More

Monterey Park Mass Shooting: Acknowledging the Outstanding Dedication of Two Crime Analysts

Crime Analyst Danielle Ponce De Leon was exhausted. She had spent most of her Saturday RDO assisting her Homicide team on a murder in Norwalk. Danielle was jarred awake by her phone ringing. She saw the name of her partner, Crime Analyst Luz Luna, and she was relieved that it wasn’t a spam call. Still, she also knew that since she and Luz’s Homicide team were on call that weekend, it meant that she was going to need to quickly shift from drifting off to a peaceful slumber to full-on Crime Analyst, firing up her laptop and getting every detail over whatever case Luz was calling about. Read More