EDITORIAL A LIFE OF SERVICE.In the sometimes proud, sometimes sordid history of the Los Angeles Police Department The first specific Los Angeles police force was founded in 1853 as the Los Angeles Rangers, a volunteer force that assisted the existing County forces. The Rangers were soon succeeded by the Los Angeles City Guards, another volunteer group. , Ed Davis occupies a key chapter. Davis' was a life of service, starting with a stint in the Navy and continuing with a career in policing that began in 1940. As chief from 1969 to 1978, Davis led a department that had more than its fair share of challenges: Anti-war protests, airline hijackings, the Manson Family and the Symbionese Liberation Army Symbionese Liberation Army small terrorist group that kid-napped Patty Hearst (1974–1975). [Am. Hist.: Facts (1974), 105] See : Terrorism . All the while, he worked in a city infamous for political corruption In broad terms, political corruption is the misuse by government officials of their governmental powers for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, like repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political and police abuse. In the process, he made some key reforms to the department. It was Davis who launched the Neighborhood Watch program, as well as the SWAT unit. After leaving the LAPD 1. LAPD - Link Access Procedure on the D channel. 2. LAPD - Los Angeles Police Department. , Davis went on to a new career in politics - a failed run for governor, a tarnished U.S. Senate campaign and three terms in the state Senate representing parts of the San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. and Santa Clarita valleys. Though he was at times controversial, Davis' dedication and service to the people of L.A. won't be forgotten. He was a man who spoke his mind honestly and earned respect from the whole community. |
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