Real Solutions

Letters to the People of District 1

Supporting the Los Angeles Police Department: Protecting Our Communities, Preserving Our Future

A safe city does not happen by accident. It is built every day by the men and women who put on a uniform, step into unpredictable situations, and protect millions of Angelenos with professionalism, courage, and restraint. The Los Angeles Police Department remains one of the most essential pillars of public safety in our city, and the overwhelming majority of officers serve with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to the communities they patrol.

These officers enforce the law while simultaneously protecting the very people who may be placing them in danger. They respond to violent crimes, traffic collisions, domestic emergencies, and life-threatening situations—often with only seconds to make decisions that affect their safety and the safety of the public. Every shift carries risk. Every call could be the one that changes their lives forever. Yet they continue to serve because they believe in duty, honor, and the responsibility to safeguard our neighborhoods.

Respect and Responsibility in Police Interactions

Public safety is a shared responsibility. When residents interact with police—whether during a traffic stop, a call for service, or a street encounter—respectful behavior is essential. Simple actions such as keeping your hands visible during a traffic stop, listening to instructions, and remaining calm help ensure that the interaction is safe for everyone involved.

Parents play a critical role as well. Teaching children from a young age to respect authority, follow lawful instructions, and understand the role of police officers builds a foundation for safer communities. When young people grow up seeing officers as protectors rather than adversaries, trust grows and conflict decreases.

Unfortunately, some activists and influencers encourage the opposite—telling people not to comply with lawful instructions, to challenge officers during stops, or to escalate situations unnecessarily. This kind of rhetoric does not promote justice or accountability. It creates tension, increases danger, and leads to confrontations that nobody needs. Compliance during a lawful stop is not only common sense—it is a matter of safety.

The Cost of Non-Compliance and the Rise of Opportunistic Lawsuits

In recent years, Los Angeles has paid out enormous sums in lawsuits involving police encounters. Many of these cases stem from individuals who refused to comply with instructions, fled from officers, or escalated routine interactions into dangerous confrontations. When lawsuits arise from these situations, the financial burden falls on the taxpayers—not on those who created the conflict.

Meanwhile, some attorneys aggressively advertise to encourage lawsuits, knowing they stand to earn 30 to 40 percent of any settlement. This dynamic creates a system where conflict becomes profitable, and the public pays the price.

The City of Los Angeles must do more to defend officers who act within policy, follow their training, and make split-second decisions under extreme pressure. When officers are forced to choose between hesitation and survival, we should not punish them for protecting themselves or the public. We should stand with them.

Backing the Officers Who Protect Us

The truth is simple: 99% of officers serve honorably, make sound judgment calls, and uphold the law with professionalism. They deserve a city government that supports them, defends them, and ensures they are not unfairly targeted by opportunistic lawsuits or political pressure.

Supporting our police does not mean ignoring accountability. It means recognizing the reality of their work, the dangers they face, and the sacrifices they make. It means giving them the staffing, training, and legal protections necessary to do their jobs effectively.

Los Angeles cannot thrive without safe streets, strong neighborhoods, and a police department that is respected—not undermined.

A Call to Honor and Support Our Officers

Let us honor the men and women who stand between danger and our families. Let us support the officers who respond to emergencies at all hours, who run toward danger when others run away, and who protect our children, seniors, and small businesses every single day.

And let us back them with laws, policies, and leadership that recognize their service and shield them from frivolous lawsuits that drain public resources and weaken public safety.

A safer Los Angeles begins with supporting those who protect it. It is time to stand with our police, respect their authority, and work together to build a city where every resident feels secure, valued, and protected.