Next year is the 70th anniversary of the LAPD Reserve Corps. It’s an extraordinary story: seven decades of what has long been considered the gold standard of reserve law enforcement. It is a history and a legacy that must always be told. Save the date — our annual banquet, celebrating this anniversary, will be held on April 22, 2017, at the renowned Skirball Cultural Center.
Thank you, Captain Darnell Davenport, who promoted to C/O of Southwest Area Patrol. Under his leadership as OIC of ROVU, 40 percent of the reserve officers who have graduated during the past 10 years did so in the last two years, after then-Lieutenant Davenport and his team ramped up recruitment and Academy classes. This remains the most important issue for the sustainability of the program!
Welcome, Lieutenant David Rosenthal, the new OIC of the reserve unit. We are already partnering with him and ROVU to continue reaching out to the community and improving recruitment efforts.
Thank you, Reserve Officer Baxter Duke and TalkFusion, for generously providing the software to email our first broadcast video, Dr. Shaquille O’Neal’s recruitment video. Once again, thanks to Dr. O’Neal.
The LAPRF was nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards. We were also named a Top-Rated Nonprofit once again (click here for story). These accolades raise awareness, getting the cause we represent — the LAPD Reserve Corps — in front of key potential donors and recruits in our community. As a reminder, we have three programs in which consumers can donate a percentage of their everyday purchases to the LAPRF. Visit www.laprf.org/donate for details on Ralphs Rewards, eScrip and Amazon Smile.
On August 9, LAPD Reserve Officer Barry Jenner passed away. He served on the Department for 21 years (click here for story). We are humbled and grateful that Barry’s family chose the LAPRF for donations in lieu of flowers. In this way, Barry has continued to serve; may he rest in peace.
Far too often, we find ourselves posting our condolences as law enforcement officers are killed in the line of duty. As we write this, California has suffered the loss of four in two weeks: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Owen, Palm Springs Police Department Officers Jose “Gil” Vega and Lesley Zerebny, and Modoc County Sheriff’s Deputy Jack Hopkins. After the tragic circumstances in Dallas and Baton Rouge, we released the article “Reserve Programs: A Community Asset in These Difficult Times” (click here for story). It’s important that Americans understand the value of reserve programs and the dedication of reserve peace officers.
In these difficult times, we again say please be safe. On behalf of our Board of Directors, happy holidays to you and your family, and thank you for your service.