29 Nov 03

Holiday Report from LA:

"At 2200 hours, the combined levels of L-Tryptophan and Budweiser became elevated to the point where 'family and friends,' remembered, once m ore, that they really didn't like each other after all. My guys and I handled a rapid succession of out-of-control party and 'family fight' (now, there is a redun dancy) calls that lasted well into Friday morning.

Our department's Glock transition schedule starts just after the first of th e year for us patrol folks. So far, our Metro Division (includes K-9), Antiterrorism Division, and some other specialized/detective units have alre ady changed over from the Beretta 92F. Curiously, every 'civilian consu ltant' our new chief has brought here from the East Coast is now carrying a Glock too. Though not sworn police officers, they carry a peculiar 'Police-Commission-i ssued CCW permit.' Funny, I didn't think we had a citizen CCW system here in LA!

Chief Bratton is popular with the troops! He has changed management philosophy at every level to be a whole lot more street-cop friendly than it has been. In light of the succession of dithering buffoons we're had in that post since Daryl Gates left, we, at long last, have a truly competent and qualifi ed person as chief. We all hope he sticks around.

On the vest front, Second Chance is now replacing all of our 'Zylon' body armor with their standard, Kevlar vest. All vests are scheduled to be repla ced within the next few months. As you noted, whether it actually works or not, Zylon is toast. We're all back to Kevlar."

/John