Cellular Phones and Services Donated to the LAPD

Los Angeles – On Thursday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m., a press conference will be held in front of Parker Center to announce the donation of 233 cellular phones, voice mail, and free service from AT&T Wireless, Ericsson Mobile Phones, and the Wireless Foundation to the Los Angeles Police Department. The donation was facilitated by the Los Angeles Police Foundation.

The phones will be used to provide community members with a more direct link to Senior Lead Officers (SLOs). This will make SLOs even more accessible to community members who wish to speak with them telephonically, while still allowing SLOs to be on patrol. The ability of SLOs to be able to teach the skills of community based policing to all police officers has always been one of Chief Parks’ top priorities.

It was Mayor Riordan’s idea to use modern technology to bridge the communication needs for the SLOs in the field. Mayor Riordan stated, "The generous donation of AT&T, Ericsson Mobile Phones, and the Wireless Foundation will allow the police department’s 168 Senior Lead Officers to remain in the field full time while being only a phone call away from the community they serve."

Chief Parks remarked, "I think that most of the SLOs who are interested in serving the entire community prefer to be in the field, working with the entire basic car and their support units. I believe it will be better for everyone- the community, the Department and the officers. Of course another advantage is that by keeping our SLOs in the field patrolling our communities, we have 168 additional officers on our City’s streets and that number, 168, is larger than the entire compliment of Burbank’s sworn officers."

Ira Yellin, Vice President of the Los Angeles Police Foundation said, "The Foundation is a conduit for the people of Los Angeles to provide support to their police department and thereby enhance the quality of services- it’s an important connecting link between the community and the police."

Glen Lurie, vice president and general manager of AT&T Wireless for California and Hawaii said, "Wireless phones and AT&T have been on the front lines for years, backing up police during disasters, aiding in neighborhood watch efforts and helping to protect our children through the Safe Schools program."

For additional information, contact Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, LAPD’s Media Relation Section at 213-485-3586.