The Los Angeles Police Department’s
Central Area Officers and Personnel
The Los Angeles Police Department, Central Area joined the Central City Police Boosters to honor Central Area officers and personnel, at a luncheon awards ceremony on Thursday, February 26, 2009 held at the Pacific Ballroom of the Wilshire Grand, Los Angeles.
This year’s keynote speaker was Shawn Parr, Go-Country105 Radio Celebrity and LAPD Reserve Specialist. He was joined by our master of ceremonies, Alan Reno. They assisted the community in recognizing the fine men and women of the LAPD’s Central Division and honored them for their commitment and dedication for 2008.
The luncheon provided the business and residents of the community a forum to recognize and support the Los Angeles Police Department in Downtown, Los Angeles. The community would like to thank the personnel at the Central Community Police Station for their extraordinary efforts to make Downtown safe.
Detective I Michael Lorenz is recognized as Central Area’s 2008 Detective of the Year for his dedication, leadership, teamwork, and contribution to Central Area’s efforts while assigned as an investigator on the Robbery Table.
Over the past year, Detective Lorenz investigated 237 robberies, arrested 60 suspects, and cleared 38 percent of his cases. He did all that while maintaining a zero backlog.
One case that stands out from other, but is typical of Michael’s abilities, was the robbery-kidnap investigation of a man who was visiting Elysian Park. The crime was the third in a trend of gang-related robberies in the park. Michael identified the pattern and kept patrol units focused on the problem. After a plain-clothes unit discovered a lead at a store near to where the victim was left, Michael coordinated the rapidly developing investigation, writing multiple search warrants, and ultimately arresting three suspects. The robberies in park abated completely.
Michael stands out by his dedication to his profession and a commitment to continuous improvement. He attended a half-dozen training course over the last year, and he was recognized as the top student in three: the Assault Crimes Course, the Homicide Course, and the ICI Course.
Michael’s commitment continues outside the Department where he is active in coaching youth soccer. He holds three leadership positions in his church, where he was given the Valedictorian Award for the church’s leadership course.
For these reasons, as well as his 9-year commitment to the Los Angeles Police Department, Central Area is proud to bestow upon Detective I Michael Lorenz the distinction and honor of being named Central Area’s Detective of the Year for 2008.
Sergeant I Peter Foster, Serial No. 27772, is recognized as Central Area’s 2008 Supervisor of the Year. Sergeant Foster is currently assigned as the Officer-in-Charge of Central Area’s Problem Solving Unit. During this year, Sergeant Foster continued to personify the characteristics of a proactive supervisor by addressing all issues impacting the Area. From the beginning of 2008, he hit the ground running, utilizing all available resources to do outstanding police work, proactive community policing, and to lead the officer he supervises by example.
While supervising the Central Area Senior Lead Officers (SLO), he has started the Entertainment Detail, covering the LA Live area. He personally selected the officers that were assigned to the unit, and were responsible for their deployment, ensuring appropriate coverage of the LA Live campus. At one point, he was actively supervising and responsible for 28 officers that were under his command. Sergeant Foster was also an integral part of the deployment, supervision and staffing of the Los Angeles Lakers Championship games, which took place in June. He was responsible for several squads, and was able to assist in ensuring a safe and enjoyable time for those attending events at the Staples Center. While running the SLO unit, he oversaw the construction of Central’s new weight room, not only rebuilding the facility but also obtaining the exercise equipment, televisions and sound system currently in use. Central Area’s gym was dedicated in honor of Randall Simmons and Jim Veenstra.
Sergeant Foster also coordinated the Special Olympics’ “Torch Run” and the “Tip a Cop” fundraiser, resulting in a huge turnout and the largest participation of any Department running team. He also planned, supervised, and coordinated Central’s Area’s “National Night Out,” which turned out to be the largest and most successful “National Night Out” in the City.
For these reasons, as well as his 18-year commitment to the Los Angeles Police Department, Central Area is proud to bestow upon Sergeant I Peter Foster the distinction and honor of being named Central Area’s 2008 Supervisor of the Year.
Police Officer III Anthony Suviate is a 9-year veteran, who has been assigned to Central Area since January of 2002. Suviate has unselfishly made significant contributions to Central Area, the Department and the Downtown community. Officer Suviate’s maturity and prior gang enforcement detail experience contributed to the officer’s adaptability to work with any assigned officer, or handle any assigned task. Supervisor’s quickly noted Suviate’s technical knowledge and expertise, which was a valuable commodity whenever he worked with new probationary officers. He willingly shared his overall wealth of knowledge, with his fellow officers and supervisors alike.
The one major area of importance was Suviate’s knowledge and tactical expertise as well his background with the Department’s Community Based Policing Programs. As the Department moves forward into the 21st Century, a continued need exists to improve the “Quality of Life Issues” within the Downtown Community. Officer Suviate acknowledged this need, to further help the community. Suviate took the time to meet with his Watch Commander and supervisors and discussed the various facets of modifying the current deployment of officers that impact Central Area on their assigned watch. Suviate also suggested additional training methods to assist probationary officers with addressing quality of life issues, reducing the possibility use of force incidents. The recommendations suggested officers utilizing their “verbal judo” skills to alleviate possible negative contacts with homeless people within the “Skid Row” Area.
It is the Department’s utmost responsibility to train these new officers with the finest officers available. Officer Suviate fills this need without question. Suviate has continued to be one of Central Area’s overall top producers in the area of citations, along with both felony and misdemeanor arrests on a regular basis. Suviate has been commended verbally, as well as with written commendations, and positive comment card entries. Officer Suviate leads by example, and willingly follows any suggestions given by his supervisors. This has expanded Suviate’s overall knowledge and expertise, which he willingly shares with his probationary partners. In return, Central Area has noted that probationary officers trained by Suviate have excelled, and progressed at a consistent rate, far above other probationary officers.
For these reasons, as well as his 9-year commitment to the Los Angeles Police Department, Central Area is proud to bestow upon Police Officer III Anthony Suviate the distinction and honor of being named Central Area’s 2008 Police Officer of the Year.
Public Service Representative Iris Lockett is a thirteen-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Iris was chosen as the Civilian of the Year for her dedication, teamwork, and hardworking demeanor.
Iris has been assigned to Central Area for the past nine year. In this assignment, she has worked Central Patrol Division and as the Area Overtime Coordinator. Her contribution was second to none. Iris is an asset who unselfishly volunteered to take added responsibilities where she sees a need to enhance service to the public; improve patrol operations; and at the same time cultivate a prosperous environment between sworn and civilian personnel. She has been extremely diligent in her ability to be compliant with Central Area’s goals as well as the Federal Consent Decree. Iris has also balanced Fair Labor and Standards Act violations and managed overtime issues without any negative audit issues.
Iris is a stellar employee. She is trustworthy and keeps information; she may become privy to, in the strictest confidence.
On a regular basis, Iris has changed her work days to meet the needs of the Area and the very stringent rules of Fiscal Operations Division. Iris also avails herself to other units, such as the Community Relations Office, Senior Lead Office, and Special Events. Iris coordinates fundraising activities for the Central Station Fund and volunteers her time on the planning committees for the Area picnic and holiday party.
On her own, Iris has learned the complicated Online Overtime system. This was done on her personal initiative in order to ensure a smooth transition for Central Area personnel. She diligently double-checked the unofficial time book against the daily worksheets and properly recorded the information on the DPS official timesheet and any modifications were documented without error.
Additionally, Iris has assisted with the front desk operations and ACC duties. Iris has and will continue to be instrumental to Central Area and the Angelinos of the Central City Limits. Iris has done a superb job and she truly has made an impact to improve the services at Central Area to enhance the quality of life in the community.
The year was 1993, and a second generation downtown area businessman, Satoru Uyeda, recognized the need for a stronger relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department and the improvement of security issues within the area known as Little Tokyo. Faced with a soaring crime rate, blight, graffiti, and panhandlers, the longtime resident initiated a volunteer patrol that blossomed into an integral role within the Japanese community. The community is geographically located on the northeastern border of downtown Los Angeles. By year’s end, over fifty volunteers were recruited and after years of hard work and tenacious effort, the area’s streets were literally cleaned up.
Recognized as the first Community Based Policing program in downtown Los Angeles, Satoru (AKA Sats) spearheaded a public safety program now modeled in many parts of the City. The developed area substation, known as the Koban, is a center for assistance and information, and regularly produces safety seminars and training for residents, children, senior citizens, and local businesses. Providing bilingual assistance to residents as well as tourists, Sats implemented a Koban service, which features Department crime reporting to Japanese language victims. Working side by side with Department officers and Senior Lead Officers, Satoru has unselfishly committed thousands of hours towards patrol, surveillance, and maintenance services.
The efforts of Satoru Uyeda has been instrumental in reducing the crime rate in downtown Los Angeles and he is commended for his dedication to improving the quality of life in the neighborhood known as Little Tokyo.
The Boosters would like to thank the community for their attendance and support of this event.