Office of the Executive Director

100 West First Street, Suite 134
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 236-1400

The Board’s full-time staff is managed by an Executive Director who answers directly to the Board, and is responsible for the coordination of the Commission’s agenda and managing the functions of the Executive Office. The Executive Director is the Board’s liaison to the Office of the Chief of Police and Police Department. The Executive Director also represents the Commission at various meetings and events. The Executive Director is Richard M. Tefank.  

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director is the Commission’s chief administrative officer and reports directly to the Board. The Executive Director is charged with the supervision, appointment, discharge, discipline and transfer of the Commission’s executive staff and Commission Investigation Division personnel. The Executive Director oversees budgetary appropriations for the Police Commission, including the recommendation of an annual Police Commission budget.  The Executive Director is also the Board’s liaison to the Office of the Chief of Police and Police Department and represents the Commission at various meetings and events.

Public Information Director

The Public Information Director is responsible for disseminating information on Commission policy and initiatives to the public. This position also serves as the Commission’s liaison to the media.

Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Board Secretary, who reports directly to the Board, is responsible for scheduling meetings and coordinating all agenda material for the Commission and its subsidiary boards and panels, and for maintaining records of the proceedings. The Secretary oversees and schedules civilian Hearing Examiners for permit hearings and Boards of Rights. The Secretary is also the Conflict of Interest coordinator and liaisons with the Ethics Commission, City Attorney’s Office and Office of the Chief of Police.

Policy and Alarm Section

The Policy Section assists the Board in developing and analyzing policy, monitoring the progress of policy implementation, and reviewing proposed Department actions.  The Unit also provides overall research and analytical support to the Commission and facilitates the transfer and coordination of information.

The Alarm Section is responsible for enforcing Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 103.206, Alarm Ordinance and Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 103.206.2, Commercial Unsecured Buildings.  The Alarm Section currently consists of five investigators and one clerical employee.  Staff responsibilities include conducting False Alarm Reduction Classes, responding to telephonic and written requests for waiver of fees and penalties, initiating permit revocation proceedings by compiling and presenting oral and written evidence to Hearing Examiners and to the Police Permit Review Panel.  The Alarm Section is also responsible for issuing notices of noncompliance to alarm users without an alarm permit and submitting completed investigation cases to the Office of the City Attorney for misdemeanor filing at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  In August 2003, the Alarm Section started referring delinquent accounts to private collection agencies.  Beginning February 1999, the Alarm Section also became responsible for managing and monitoring contracts related to board up of commercial unsecured buildings.  Visit www.lapdonline.org/alarms for more information.

Employee Relations Section

The Employee Relations Section of the Police Commission is responsible for processing all personnel-related documents for all Police Commission personnel, including the Office of the Inspector General.  The Employee Relations Section further assists the Police Commission in its responsibilities concerning labor and employment law matters, including grievances, discrimination, and sexual harassment complaint investigations as these matters often present policy implications that may result in modifications to employment policies, procedures or practices.   The Employee Relations Section is also responsible for monitoring the Department’s progress as it relates to the Hunter-La Ley Consent Decree and providing its findings to the Board of Police Commissioners.

Commission Investigation Division

Commission Investigation Division (CID) is the regulatory arm of the Police Commission with respect to the processing, issuance, investigation, enforcement and discipline of Police Commission permits. The Board issues over 50 different permits for businesses requiring regulation, such as massage therapists, tow unit operators, hostess dance halls, pool rooms, etc. CID is comprised of four sections consisting of the Café Entertainment Section, Charitable Services Section, Official Police Garage (OPG)/Valet Section, and the Permit Processing Section.

By ordinance, the Police Commission is tasked with overseeing, investigating, and recommending the discipline for holders of City permits, which have a public and safety component.  These include over fifty types of business permits, permits for home and business alarm systems, permits for charitable organizations to solicit funds.  Commission Investigation Division is also the contract administrator for the Official Police Garages (OPG), responsible for investigating complaints made against OPG and serving as the regulatory arm of the Police Commission to insure contract compliance.