L.A. councilman wants retired police to keep looking cop-like when guarding film sets

The Los Angeles City Council is being asked to vote as early as Tuesday on a change that would remove Police Chief William J. Bratton’s jurisdiction over security and traffic control on film sets.

Councilman Greig Smith introduced a motion today in response to a decision by top LAPD officials that would bar retired officers from wearing the dark blue uniform of the LAPD when they provide security and traffic control on film sets.

Earlier this year, LAPD officials said they were replacing the old uniforms for retired officers with white shirts, black pants and yellow reflective vests. Instead of a badge, they would wear a patch that says “Film Detail.” The officials said they were concerned about liability issues, noting that the retired officers look like active officers -- because of the uniforms -- but their training may be decades out of date. The uniform change is to go into effect on Sept. 21, according to city officials.

Smith wants the retired cops to go to work for the General Services Division, which has a similar blue uniform, and wear a patch that would identify them as part of the “City of Los Angeles Film Unit,” Smith said.

The move prompted an outcry from retired officers and film industry officials, who questioned whether the public would obey officers who looked more like security guards. Industry officials said the change would factor into decisions to take film production to other cities, which has been a concern for members of the council.

LAPD First Asst. Chief Jim McDonnell said today he was aware of Smith's motion. "We believe that the department is operating on solid legal ground and we're doing the right thing for public safety. We've laid out our position clearly to the City Council and we realize that there are a few council members that have a different point of view. We're comfortable that we're doing the right thing for the right reasons," he said. Smith’s expedited motion, which could be in effect before Sept. 21 if approved, would change the city law to give authority over security on film sets to the public safety chief at the city’s General Services Department.

“The movie industry begins some major shoots in early September, and right in the middle of that their whole system will change and they’re very unhappy about that,” Smith said. “The movie industry has reviewed the motion, they’re satisfied, they don’t want this to happen either, and so the message to the chief is: please postpone, and if you won’t then we must go forward and fix it this way.”

Smith said he believes he has enough votes on the council to win approval of the change.

-- Maeve Reston at L.A. City Hall

Comments

[JIm]

Since they are acting as security guards they should look like security guards.
I find it somewhat amusing that the retired cops are saying they feel they will not be obeyed unless they wear police uniforms.
What a load ****

[SgtJohnMStryker]

WOW!.......... What a joke by the LA City Council to have this item placed on their agenda for consideration and review. When has anyone ever heard of an LAPD Officer beating down or shooting someone at a film set? Anyone... Please raise your hand? GSD and Chief Bratton need to leave well enough alone and go along with conducting positve policing and city business. LA City Council has nothing better to do unless they are reviewing fee increases, assessments and/or additional local government taxes. What a waste of time they spend on their rubbish, plastic bags and watering our lawns. Give it up. We are tired of your liberal left-wing secular progressive agenda to make this city green (or like San Francisco). Most of them are just of bunch of pansy's who probably spend their free time with mommie...

[Rocco]

Oh great. Just what we need. More reasons for production to leave town. Thanks loads.

[Melaine Samson]

I live in downtown and there is always filming These retired cops guys are SO fat. They are really good at guarding the catering area.

[j a higginbotham]

"whether the public would obey officers who looked"

If they're retired, they are not officers. Wearing similar uniforms to confuse the public into thinking the guards are active officers is deceptive.

[jONNY rEb]

If you're not a cop, won't act like a cop, then don't dress like a cop. LAPD uniforms should represent something, not like these over-dressed cone zone crossing guards.

[Maria]

OMG these retired officers really have Greig Smith in their pocket and the PPL. Under the California Penal Code it is a misdeamor to impersonate a police officer and that is what these retirees are doing. Everyone knows Greig Smith is jealous of Chief Bratton. Bratton has done a remarkable job turning around LAPD, the Times Poll his approval high and city council has the nerve to try and dictate how to run his dept. Please Hollywood production is long gone and not because of these clowns.

[Suzie Fuentes]

Not again!!!!!!! This has been going back and forth for months. If you read the blogs when this appeared a couple of weeks ago the overwhelming MAJORITY OF LOS ANGELES SUPPORT CHIEF BRATTON ON THIS. Greig Smith is not the Chief of Police nor is he a good councilman. Remember Smith wanted to cut the funding for the neighborhood councils and doesn't believe in volunteers work. Everyone should e-mail Smith and tell him Bratton should be able to do his job without interference from council. Seems city council members aren't doing their job right and the city is in a mess.

[Van]

Dressing like a police officer when you are not really a police officer. Sort of like pretending to be a public servant when you are actually serving the interests of city hall lobbyists, real estate developers, foreign governments and yourself.

[shirley]

Maria and most of the others have it right: Chf. Bratton's job is to maintain the image and rep of the LAPD he's worked so hard to build up, while Councilmen Parks/ Smith/ Zine are playing their own ego games and pandering to the Police Union.

These three have to stop harassing Chf. Bratton over everything, let him continue to do the superb job he's done, stop trying to push him out of the LAPD and L A to please the PPL/ Paul Weber, who wants a Republican like Zine in the post.

Their excuses that it's driving away production are nonsense: that is because of a lack of financial incentives and lures offered by other cities, states and countries.

[lou]

Let's remember Smith is the councilman responsible for refusing to spend the tripled trash fee hikes that we were promised would go for 1000 cops, toward any cops at all.

He's claiming that was NEVER the case, that the trash fee hikes were always going to go "just to offset the real cost of trash pickup." THAT IS A BIG LIE.

Smith IS in the pockets of the Police Union whose head has said he'd rather have fewer cops on the street serving citizens, than to have any current cop cut his compensation by one dollar, or have to take a one hour/ MONTH furlough to "share in the pain" of budget cuts. That is a lie to taxpayers and hurts public safety -- but he's letting the Chief and the Mayor take the fall for it. Along with former Chief Parks who's been called "Bitter Bernie" by the Daily News for always opposing Bratton on everything out of jealousy, even though he's the one who made the Consent Decree Necessary. Then they've got Zine always dissing the Chief on everything, and he was just a Sgt.

The 3 former cops on council are either jealous, incompetent or both and should leave the Chief alone to run his dept. It's the best it's been in decades BECAUSE he tries not to listen to these clowns and let them ruin things.

[Bert Green]

Bratton is right. The retired officers and the film industry are trying to protect a racket. These officers do not enforce the law, they allow the film crews to skirt the law. I see it every day in downtown. The retired officers will not stop a film crew from violating their permit, in fact they protect them when they do so. Not exactly the best image for the LAPD to have on their side.

But I do think they should be moved under the jurisdiction of General Services. That would give them the authority they need to do their jobs, while not looking like real LAPD.

[A.L. Hern]

I think security details on local film sets should wear pink bunny suits, in that they're unthreatening and make it highly unlikely that the public will mistake them for serving police officers.

It would also ensure that only the most dedicated individuals would seek this line of employment.

[Kev Kotight]

I agree with Smith - these retired officers need to wear a special uniform identifying them as such. They are no longer officers with the LAPD. Their training could be out of date and if a citizen were to run to them in an emergency, would they be able to help? What would they do? And let's be real. These guys are usually old as dirt, out of shape. They are glorified crossing guards. I support the change. But is it something that needs to be done right away, when the city is facing a huge deficit, NO! Why is this coming up when there are so many pressing issues to deal with? Deflection....

[Bill T]

If they were doing something useful, they would get respect. If they only get respect because of a badge and uniform, they don't deserve it.

[KW]

The truth is, they WON'T be obeyed if they don't look official. They are paid by the productions because they were real police officers and are able to wear the uniform and control traffic and the public. Without the uniforms and the police looking bikes, they are going to be nearly worthless to the productions that require their work.

[LALocationMgr]

Retired LAPD officers are not security guards, they use separate set security for that detail. Retired and off duty LAPD officers are used for police escort of running shots (car to car filming and the big truck that tows a vehicle with lights, cameras and crew hanging off it), traffic control of street closures and enforcing the terms of the film permit for the city.

The problem isn't a control issue for the studios but a safety issue for the crew and general public. If a street was closed because a film crew was just about stage a car crash or a two cars are weaving in and out of lanes at high speed and all you could see was a guy dressed as a security guard attempting to prevent you from entering the area, what would you do?

If they don't use retired officers for this detail, they would be using active duty officers like they do in Santa Monica, Pasadena, Beverly Hills and other jurisdictions that don't have the volume and frequency of filming as the city of Los Angeles.

There are only 180 motorcycles in the LAPD fleet and on a busy day, film permit requirements have required over 100 officers and motors on various sets around town. Would you rather see those resources being used for filming or actually doing the job our tax dollars pay for or retired officers that doesn't cost us anything but help bring more revenue into the city?

They provide a valuable service in putting more police presence on the street instead of taking active duty officers off their normally assigned duties at a time when budgets are being cut and the LAPD is currently under a hiring freeze and more and more films are choosing to shoot outside of Los Angeles and taking their jobs and tax revenues with them.

It's a win-win situation for the city, its taxpayers and the studios, with the only loser here being Bratton's greed in attempting a power grab for his own personal gain.

[thealaskan]

I always figured that the grey hair and droopy moustaches indicated seniority for a ripe pie card. Kinda like the overtime shifts in Cleveland to guard the pot hole repair details ( The Plum City is more easliy motivated.) The cops (?) always seemed pleasant and were rightfully protective of the catering truck.

Now I learn that those little rabid bunny asst. wannabes that would threaten the wrath of their grey haired blue coats if you dared hesitate your car in one their wacko xtra long- traffic blocking johnson-sized coned off zones were just bluffing.

I been PUNKED.

Let them seniors keep the suits.

Next time one of those acne faced bunnies shows his teeth I'll just tell him/her to go spam-a-lot.

[L.A. Max]

The funny thing about the opposition to retired cops wearing uniforms is that the Industry could simply call them actors and have them put on costumes that look exactly like the real uniforms.

The funnier thing is that security guards dressed in black resemble special units of the LAPD. In any case, I support the retired cops.

[Teresa Marquez]

Councilmen Smith should focus on doing a better job at city council and his community, Bratton is doing a superv job, only ignorance would question this decision.

If Chief Bratton has made an important decision in his department, and with history of one of the greatest Chief of Police in LA, that has been able to reduce the crime in our city with record numbers, Councilmen Smith should shut up, he has no business telling Bratton how to run the LAPD.

I know policeman that work at the filming of movies in the city, and I feel no one should be wearing a Police Uniform that is not an active status policemen. If Councilmen Smith would take the time to research on policies using Employer's uniform outside work, he will find that is not done. Why do Private School's policy, or Cheerleader, are not allowed to wear their uniform outside the events of the Schools. Representation of the uniform for retired policemen can be a risk for LAPD and the retiree, as well as false security for the people in the area they are working.

Also, the City has a policy for city employees and elected officials not to use their titles for self benefits, or personal dealing of any kind. Maybe the councilman does not know about this policy, or does not understand it. The L A police uniform represents security for the people, crime prevention, safety, and to keep crime away, yet this retirees may not be able to do what an active policemen would be able to do.

Also, the LAPD Retirees, I am sure they would understand the controversy of wearing a real Police men uniform.

,

[MellTalks]

if their training may be decades out of date so why the retired cops don't take some classes to update their services? what they want is to film productions to hire real cops and pay all that fortune in salaries. just another reason to production companies to take our films to somewhere else. great, just what la needs.

[Janet]

C'mon this is a no brainer but then we're dealing with Councilmember Greig Smith. Calif. Penal Code states that anyone who pretends to be a police officer is committing a misdeamor. Smith is a reserve officer so he thinks this is OK? This isn't about retired cops, this is vindictative behavior of a smith against Chief Bratton. He has done more for LAPD and this city then anyone in the history of the city and council members continue to treat him horribly. People are getting very angry at the way council members behave. We still haven't got our money from AEG on the Jackson event.

[Human Shield]

The retired officers are traffic safety experts. Their primary reason for being on location is to maintain traffic safety while filming on public property. Chief Bratton sees this as an opportunity to transfer wealth to the LAPD. He wants Production Companies to fund staffing for a special events unit with which he can reward LAPD Officers with cushy jobs. Sad to say that Chief Bratton is coming off like an east coast carpetbagger.

[Charles Vine]

The previous comment made by Mr. Bert Green indicates that he is having delusions of his relevance. Mr. Green is a well known anti-filming militant in downown L.A. Perhaps he is satisfied now that the signature industry of Los Angeles, film production, is suffering vast unemployment due in part because it has become a pain in the backside to film in the L.A. area. The serious downturn in the L.A. film industry is a major reason why the economy of this area is in the dumper, according to Jack Keiser of the Los Angeles Economic Development Council. Wake up, Mr. Green. Your thoughts are anacronistic.

As far as Bratton is concerned, a producer who lives in New York and had to deal with Bratton's meddling in the NY film industry said he saw a picture of New York City taken from space. The biggest thing in the picture was Bratton's ego.

Cheers to LA City Council for taking him on and protecting the industry which used to be a key contributor to the L.A. economy.

[Bert Green]

Since the Los Angeles Times allows commenters to make personal attacks on this blog, I feel I must defend myself against the libel of Mr. Charles Vine.

I was the lead negotiator for the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) since 2007, in helping our community organize a series of discussions with the film industry to try and find solutions to conflicts arising between location filming crews and the emerging residential community downtown. Mr. Vine describes me as an "anti-filming militant" despite the fact that the negotiations I engaged in were with the full cooperation and agreement of the leadership of Sony, Warner Brothers, MPAA, AICP, FilmLA, DLANC, and the Central City Association. The result of that negotiation is the "Special Conditions for Filming in Downtown Los Angeles," which will be presented to City Council this fall.

Despite being repeatedly invited to read and discuss the Conditions document with myself and our public working group, Mr. Vine refused, and chose instead to publicly mischaracterize our efforts as "anti-filming," in full denial of the participation and assent throughout this process from the film industry itself. Our negotiations seek to PRESERVE filming as a viable option downtown by setting some ground rules given the new realities which came about by residential development in the area.

To thus be accused of some kind of perverse glee at the misfortune of the ailing industry is both a deliberate distortion of my role and ignorance of the language of the Conditions, which seeks to establish rights and responsibilities for all parties. Since the conclusion of the negotiations in early 2008, the Conditions have been in effect on a voluntary basis. Most everyone downtown agrees that is it working. Most importantly, the residential community now has a cordial and productive relationship with the film industry, and the ability to address complaints and problems, which was not available before.

The fact that the film industry is in decline is unfortunate, however blaming the residents and businesses of this city who are not engaged in filming is hardly reasonable. My business is down more than 50% from 2007. Should I look to blame my neighbors? There's a serious recession out there. Let's work together to find ways to accommodate everyone.