Patterico's Pontifications

5/12/2007

Another Note About the Medal of Valor Awards

Filed under: General — Jack Dunphy @ 6:31 am



[Posted by Jack Dunphy.]

In discussing the LAPD’s Medal of Valor luncheon in this post from Friday, I neglected to mention someone who was conspicuous by his absence. John Mack, president of the L.A. police commission, has been lavish in his criticism of the way the LAPD handled the MacArthur Park incident on May Day, so, just as I was curious about how the L.A. Times would cover the public recognition of 19 brave officers (they didn’t cover it at all), I was eager to hear Mr. Mack’s remarks at the luncheon. The event was planned months in advance, but despite this Mack couldn’t find room in his schedule to attend.

Telling. Very telling indeed.

10 Responses to “Another Note About the Medal of Valor Awards”

  1. Maybe Mach was in Syria making “peace in our time” with Bashar Assad. It happens all the time to important people. You can’t run the world and make time in your busy schedule to meet with unimportant low level functionaries too. Just because they are risking their lives on the front lines defending us common people against evil people who would destroy us. Ask Nancy Pelosi how difficult scheduling is.

    Lew Clark (cddad0)

  2. I’ll allow cops the easy moral superiority they claim when Frank Serpico is considered a hero by the boys of the NYPD.
    To this day he isn’t, and they aren’t to me.
    Yeah, it’s a tough job and they aren’t paid enough. No problem there.

    “Telling. Very telling indeed.”
    Bullshit hyperbole

    And what would be the reaction if John Mack showed up?

    AF (7ee5ec)

  3. “Telling. Very telling indeed.”
    Bullshit hyperbole

    AF, what are you, seven years old?

    Patterico (5b0b7f)

  4. Answer either of my questions.

    AF (7ee5ec)

  5. Sorry, I only asked one question.
    My other comment was a statement, awaiting a response.

    AF (7ee5ec)

  6. You have no entitlement to a response, especially when you’re impolite.

    Patterico (5b0b7f)

  7. I don’t know the details of the Serpico case, but if he isn’t considered a hero it makes me wonder…

    Some in our local press STILL refer to Rafael Perez as a “whistleblower”. Nothing could be more inaccurate.

    Does AF wonder why Perez isn’t considered a hero?

    I’ll tell you what the reaction would’ve been if John Mack had showed up. Nothing, no reaction. Because he SHOULD have been there. No one would have said anything because his presence was an obligation. The fact that he didn’t show up is news.

    Susan R (fe79a3)

  8. LAPD has a major morale problem, and from the sounds of it, I doubt they even realize it.

    Two examples point to it. The first is Jack’s description of Chief Bratton ignoring three officers while smoozing with the VIP (see Jack’s earlier post), and second, John Mack not botheing to show up for the Medal of Valor Awards. Neither example is excuseable.

    To the Chief and Mr. Mack: the troops notice these things. And petty horses@@t like that has an impact on morale way beyond it’s apparent importance. Ask anybody who’s been in an organization with morale problems. Our military went through that after Vietnam (I know; I did my 20). I’ve also seen it in other organizations where I’ve worked.

    I won’t even mention the LAPD turnover rate. That speaks for itself.

    Apparently AF has no such experience. Too bad.

    Bill M (ab42ed)

  9. Yes. And the next big riot or Karen Toshima incident will result in drive and wave.

    Consider that South Central and East LA is filled with violent gangbangers (LA County has around 80,000 according to some reports). Without a strong police presence willing to act to deter crime it will be open season on the wealthy, rich, and helpless Westside.

    Jim Rockford (e09923)

  10. If one looks at the LAPD organizational chart,
    http://www.lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/dep_org_chart_12_6_06.pdf
    one sees that the police commission is even above Chief Bratton. As the executive director, Mr. Mack is the head of the commission. As such, Mr. Mack has an obligation to be at the medal of valor luncheon.

    Mr. Mack finds it easy to speak out on what he considers bad behavior. Sadly, Mr. Mack seems unwilling to praise good & heroic behavior. By not recognizing the good things officers do, how does Mr. Mack expect to have any credibility?

    Those of us who understand even the basic concepts of police supervision know that one of the best ways to prevent bad behavior is the praise & re enforce good behavior. Mr. Mack just doesn’t get it.

    Mack & his ilk not not want warriors & crime fighters, they want social workers. This will please the criminals.

    Retired Sergeant (86be6e)


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