Protecting the Rights of First Responders Since 1982
“Seeing how my mom was able to bring justice for many victims inspired me to want to follow in her footsteps in becoming a detective,” Detective Erica Villanueva shared when LAAPOA featured her in our “Women of LAXPD” series. Now, she and Detective Ben Spolarich are giving us a more in-depth look at how LAXPD’s detectives seek justice for victims by investigating cases and filing criminal complaints with the court.
This past year was unlike any that law enforcement — and the nation — has ever seen before. Between COVID-19, senseless attacks on police and an onslaught of tragic incidents, 2020 was the deadliest year in law enforcement history. While law enforcement may have gotten knocked down harder than ever last year, we will stand strong and proud with our brothers and sisters in blue for National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 and during National Police Week from May 9 to 15.
First responders know all too well that they won’t have every holiday off with their families. Public safety services are required every day of the year. This means that if your schedule lands on a holiday, you are required to work. To compensate employees for these schedules, public agencies and their unions often negotiate “holiday-in-lieu” pay.
Have you ever studied the ceramic mural in the courtyard of the Griffith Park Visitor Center? The mural, designed and created by ceramic artist Elaine Katzer in 1987, gives a brief history of Griffith Park. In the final panel representing current times, Katzer chose two pioneering rangers to represent the park: Lucia Ruta, the first female ranger, and Doc Jefferson, the first Black mounted ranger.