"We might not be where we want to be, but thank God we ain't where we used to be…" The same could be said about the relationship between America's ethnic communities and law enforcement. This is particularly true in Los Angeles, where this troubled relationship has been the flashpoint for two major civil unrests, and continues to be a vulnerable stress point.
"LAPD… Transforming the Dream," a 300 year, street level, historical perspective, capturing the tumultuous, yet symbiotic relationship between law enforcement and urban communities, as they proceed on their unprecedented journey of shared destiny.
The consent decree, implemented in Los Angeles, California in 2001, ignited the reform process that began an ongoing dialogue between the police, city and community leadership. After a very tough, eight-year slog, how has the collective leadership responded to this unique challenge? Why didn't potential flashpoints such as, MacArthur Park (LAPD beat innocent Hispanic citizens), Devon Brown (tragic shooting of 13 year-old in stolen car), Suzie Pena (19 month-old baby shot in SWAT standoff), and Stanley Miller (videotaped beating an auto theft suspect with flashlight) flashover? Many credit vigilant, diverse leadership in the city, coupled Chief William Bratton's (and now, as of Oct, 2009, Chief Charlie Beck's) innovative concept of community based policing, which heavily emphasizes---Partnership, Problem Solving, and Prevention.