LASA gathered out front of LAPD headquarters downtown to consider policing and justice in Los Angeles. Executive Director of the LAPD Board of Police Commissioners Richard Tefank welcomed us into the Commission’s boardroom for a discussion of the history and role of the Board of Police Commissioners as well as his own journey to this work. His words provided a solid foundation on the work of the Board and raised additional questions. Sam noted, “it also made me wonder how much reform has really happened with the LAPD. Is it even possible to change policing in a place like LA? Is there something about police work that changes even the best of people who go into policing with the best intentions?”
After our time with Mr. Tefank, we walked from LAPD headquarters to the downtown branch of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). Lilly shared, “I really loved spending the day in downtown. I haven’t been for a while and seeing city hall and the concert hall as well as walking past grand central market and heading to the library was a really great way to experience the city.”
LAPL provides vital services to the community, and we are grateful for Brooke Sheets, Principal Librarian and Programming & Outreach Manager, who welcomed us and shared more about student offerings. We then connected via Zoom with law professor and Vice President of the LAPD Board of Police Commissioners Eileen Decker to add more personal details about the work Mr. Tefank explained – from the process of reviewing a use of force case to setting stop policies for the department. Olivia reflected that the conversations with Mr. Tefank and Prof. Decker broadened her understanding of policing in LA.
We closed our day with a visit from Program Associate for the Youth Justice Team at Liberty Hill Tommy Morris. Mr. Morris shared with us his love for writing and connected his experiences as a young person that led to time incarcerated to his work with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) to his current work at Liberty Hill. Lilly noted, “I really loved hearing from Tommy Morris…Hearing his story and how he hopes to be part of the initiative to end youth incarceration and to reframe the narrative through storytelling was very moving and left me feeling both more aware and hopeful of the work the youth justice team is doing.”
We share our gratitude for our guests and to LAPL for hosting LASA.