Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 4020 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: AUGUST 2016 It would have been a much different deal,” Donald Trump opined after the carnage in Orlando. “I mean, it sounded like there were no guns. They had a security guard. Other than that there were no guns in the room. Had people been able to fire back, it would have been a much dif- ferent outcome. – Donald Trump Of course no one thinks that people should go in a nightclub drinking and carrying firearms. That defies common sense. It also defies the law. – Chris Cox (NRA lobbyist) is a time when going out for dinner today includes noting the location of the fire exit, but also a place to hide in the event of an ac- tive shooter. There is a disturbing nex- us between our most serious social ills – mental illness, drug addiction, and weap- ons in the wrong hands that are conspiring to challenge one of our nation’s great- est strengths; our ability to stand together, to reject evil, and through our difficulties, find a better way. I’ve watched the graphic scenes unfold on live televi- sion, spoken to my deputies and seen the uncertainty, the questions in their eyes, wondering how they can as- sure their families that going to work will not make them a target of hate. No doubt, in our days of dialogue post-Ferguson, Missouri, law enforcement families are not the only ones who question what keeps them safe. I have seen the grief of the families who demand justice and righteous, im- partial investigations into an officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of their loved one. Trust building between law enforcement and the communities we serve is hard work. It is complicated, and at times seemingly elusive, but it is also very much un- derway at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Depart- ment. Building relationships and continuing construc- tive dialogue matters, and, frankly, it works. We also understand that credible oversight of police has to be a factor in building that trust. We as individuals and as law enforcement are not perfect, but we are human. We are engaged and com- mitted to intensive training, oversight, best practices and communication with the communities we serve – and therefore, we see hope. Let us not seek vengeance or succumb to fear, or use our words as weapons or idols of self-promotion on cable news. What we say matters, but what we do together, for one another, matters more. The protestors, whom the Dallas Police were protect- ing, vividly remember when the shots rang out, the offi- cers ran toward the danger. One protestor, a mother of two and a military reserv- ist, pledged to attend the funerals of the slain officers, stating the police were there for them, and so “we will be there for you.” Law enforcement has a responsibility to hold our- selves accountable for our actions to the letter of the law, but we ask communi- ties to continue to engage with us and work with us to assist troubled individu- als who may also pose a threat. To all the Dallas families who have lost loved ones, I and the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offer our deepest condolences. Jim McDonnell is the Sheriff of Los Angeles County. “Let us not seek vengeance or succumb to fear, or use our words as weapons or idols of self-promotion on cable news. What we say matters, but what we do together, for one another, matters more.” – Jim McDonnell “There will always be those that seek to divide us instead of finding connection and common ground. Fallen Dallas Officer Patrick Zamarripa (center) was the kind of guy that liked liked to build bridges that others would seek to destroy.” Continued from page one Point Counterpoint Only love conquers hate Sheriff Jim McDonnell • Removes weight of duty belt off hips and lower back • Enables you to perform at maximum standards • Helps keep shirt tucked in during physical activity • No need to adjust duty belt when exiting vehicle • No need to hold duty belt when engaging in foot pursuits No more back pain The Back Defender is the only concealed belt suspension system approved for police duty WWW"ACK$EFENSE3YSTEMSCOM   (or)