LAPD REPORT DEFENDS DIP IN ARRESTS.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Responding to critics who said its productivity was declining, the LAPD defended a five-year decline in arrests Friday by saying the move to community-based policing has resulted in a greater emphasis on ``quality'' arrests that address community concerns.

However, the report submitted to the Police Commission by Chief Willie L. Williams also acknowledges negative publicity surrounding the Rodney King beating and other controversies has meant that some officers may be ``more selective in what enforcement activities they wish to take part.''

``Many officers believe that they will be disciplined or prosecuted if they go beyond the call of duty on the street,'' the report noted.

The report was requested by Mayor Richard Riordan and the Police Commission in response to a drop in arrests from 290,000 in 1991 to 190,000 in 1995, despite an increase in the police force during that time.

The department also defended a reduction in traffic citations, saying traffic law enforcement is tied to the seriousness of problems. The department noted that fatalities caused by traffic accidents have steadily declined from 340 in 1991 to 270 in 1995.

Commission members raised questions about whether the arrest statistics are an indication that officer productivity was a problem.

Commission President Ray Fisher said Friday he has not had time to fully review the report, but said he expects the report to generate some questions when the panel meets Tuesday.

``I think there are some open issues,'' Fisher said.

Cmdr. Tim McBride said the Los Angeles Police Department maintains that arrest statistics do not themselves show whether the department is doing its job productively.

``The department's position has been that arrest numbers don't always indicate the performance of employees,'' McBride said.

The department's report said the move from a ``quasi-military'' approach toward community-based policing encourages officers to engage in problem solving to prevent crimes, and therefore arrests.

``Effecting an arrest is only one of the many tools available to officers who are trying to solve a specific problem within a community.''

The report noted the department ``no longer routinely uses large tactical street-sweep operations,'' which tend to boost arrest statistics but may leave the community resentful and lacking confidence in its police.

In a separate letter, Williams also said Friday the department has a ``critical'' need for more detectives and criminalists to help solve the large number of homicide cases in Los Angeles.