|
About the Los Angeles
Police Department
In February 1955, the Los Angeles Police Department, through the pages of the internally
produced BEAT magazine, conducted a contest for a motto for the police academy. The conditions of the contest stated that:
“The motto should be one that in a few words would express some or all the ideals to which the Los Angeles police service
is dedicated. It is possible that the winning motto might someday be adopted as the official motto of the Department.”
The winning entry was the motto, “To Protect and to Serve” submitted by Officer Joseph S. Dorobek. “To Protect and to Serve” became the
official motto of the Police Academy, and it was kept constantly before the officers in training as the aim and purpose of
their profession. With the passing of time, the motto received wider exposure and acceptance throughout the department. On
November 4, 1963, the Los Angeles City Council passed the necessary ordinance and the credo has now been placed alongside
the City Seal on the Departments patrol cars.
|
|
 |
|
Dr. A.C. Germann, Professor Emeritus, Department
of Criminal Justice, California State University, Long Beach was a Los Angeles Police Department police officer before pursuing
an academic career. He is responsible for founding the Police Science program
at California State University, Long Beach and is the author of three books: Introduction to Law Enforcement & Criminal
Justice; Police Personnel Management; and, Police Executive development.
|
|
|
|
|
