WHAT:
Announce Initiatives to Revitalize the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Officer Program

WHEN:
Friday
May 14, 2004
9:30 A.M.

WHERE:
Devonshire Community Police Station
10250 Etiwanda Avenue
Northridge (Front Steps)

WHO:
Mayor James K. Hahn
Councilmember Greig Smith
Councilmember Dennis Zine
Police Commissioner Alan Skobin
Assistant Chief Sharon Papa
Commander Robert Hansohn
and LAPD Reserve Officers

Los Angeles – On Friday, May 14, 2004, at 9:30 a.m., Mayor James K. Hahn along with Assistant Chief Sharon Papa and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Reserve Officers and City Councilmembers Greig Smith and Dennis Zine, will hold a news conference to announce the revitalization of the LAPD Reserve Officer Program.

The Reserve Corps Program was established during World War II, when enlistment and the draft depleted the ranks of qualified LAPD recruits. The LAPD turned to the residents of the community to supplement the shortage of full-time police officers. Thousands of concerned citizens volunteered their services as auxiliary police. In 1947 the City Council enacted an ordinance that established a Police Reserve Corps. During the post-war years, the Police Reserve Corps grew to 2,500 officers, however today the Department has 649 active reserve officers.

The Reserve Corps represents the equivalent of nearly 100 full-time officers, providing a net value of more than $5 million per year. During the news conference, Mayor Hahn will introduce 20 initiatives to double the number of LAPD Reserve Officers.

For additional information regarding the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Officer Corp, please call 213-485-4097.

This news advisory was prepared by Officer Sara Faden, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.