My Nonprofit Reviews

On behalf of my Co-President Karla Ahmanson and our Board of Directors, we report the following current or recent initiatives. We are honored to serve those who serve, our LAPD Reserve Corps. They go Above and Beyond in so many ways.

In-Service Training

LAPRF promotes current training, education and instruction for LAPD Reserve Officers to accommodate their professional schedules. LAPRF’s funding for the live fire simulation training program is a good example of life-saving skills. This is supplemental training not otherwise provided by the City of Los Angeles.
We also reimburse officers the fee (up to the early-bird discounted rate) to attend the Annual Reserve Peace Officers Conference (APPOC), which will be held this year in the Los Angeles area by the California Reserve Peace Officers Association (CRPOA). This conference provides our reserve officers an opportunity to fulfill the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)’s required two-year Continuing Professional Training (CPT).

Equipment

Funding requests, including reimbursement, for authorized equipment that is not otherwise provided by the City/LAPD, or in the case of financial hardship. One of the most successful examples in this category was the reimbursement of the “BDU” utility wash and wear uniforms, which were authorized by the Department during the COVID pandemic. The original proposal, written by LAPRF Board Director Mel Kennedy, said: “Without the ability to dry clean their uniform in a reliable fashion during this crisis, reserve officers would increase their exposure potential and that of their fellow employees and the public. This is precisely the circumstances in which our Foundation can fulfill its purpose in support of our reserve officers.”
This past year, the Foundation has implemented two equipment funding projects. 1) The purchase and distribution of wound care packs: rapid gauze that stops severe arterial bleeding that saves valuable time in a field emergency. 2) The reimbursement of critical “Red Dot” Sighting equipment for approximately 25 officers to date who have completed the Department’s PISTOL MOUNTED OPTICS (RED DOT) TRANSITION COURSE as a reserve police officer. The equipment provides an extra tool to keep our communities safe in life-threatening circumstances.
For those recruits that have served in the United States Military, LAPRF will provide a grant that covers equipment cost needed during Academy training.
LAPRF can provide funds for equipment in specialized units such as the Police Rifle Cadre, Air Support, Mounted and Motor Units. This includes financial support towards the creation of reserve task forces and other details to address specific crime and quality of life issues in the community. We have always supported our reserve officers who have given so much over the years to the LAPD’s partnership with the Sunshine Kids, the Special Olympics, Children's’ Hospital L.A., and Operation School Bell.

Annual LAPD Reserve Officer of the Year and “Twice A Citizen” Awards

The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps selflessly serve their communities, sacrificing time with their families, leisure time, and other opportunities. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. LAPRF hosts an awards dinner that acknowledges LAPD Reserve Corps members who have been selected by their division/area and bureaus for outstanding contributions, bringing awareness to their achievements, culminating with a Department Reserve Police Officer of the Year. Length of service pins are handed out. This event also honors Community Leaders who have demonstrated a willingness to give back. In 2023, Debbie Allen and Norman Nixon, and Uri and Myna Herscher were honored. In 2022, Wendy Garen and Joe Mantegna were honored. We also periodically present the Andrea Friedman Award to those who have gone “Above and Beyond” in leadership and support of the Corps; In 2023, retired Reserve Police Officers David Bush and Eric Rose received this honor.

New Reserve Exceptional Service Ribbon

At the Gala, Reserve Officer of the Year Awards are presented, for Division/Area, Bureau, and Department. The Awards include the Reserve Exceptional Service ribbon, recently approved by the LAPD Uniform Committee, as part of an LAPRF initiative.

Scholarships

“As a Los Angeles Reserve Police Officer, you and your family have done a lot for our City. You have given your time — your tremendous commitment and dedication — to protect and serve your community.”
The Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation has announced the 2024 LAPRF Emeritus Scholarship. As a current LAPD Reserve Officer, you and your children (and grandchildren) are eligible to apply for a scholarship. $2,500 will be awarded to the selected applicant. The application deadline for Fall 2024 is May 31, 2024.
Additionally, we continue to offer the $2,000 vocational scholarship donated by Jeff and Heather Nocket and Todd and Cheryl Moore, to LAPD reserve officers’ children or grandchildren through the LAPRF. Includes funding provided by Joe Wong.

Legal Defense Plan Reimbursement
For the sixth year in a row, the Foundation has reimbursed a portion of the Basic Legal Defense Plan offered to LAPD reserve officers by the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL). We thank the League Directors and Staff and we are grateful for this partnership, which brings extra peace of mind to our officers and their families.

Recruitment

The LAPD Reserve Corps has been an official part of the LAPD since 1947. A big part of the Foundation Mission has been to promote awareness of the program, and to continually inspire candidates to join the Corps, especially during these difficult recruiting times.
LAPRF actively recruits Reserve Officer candidates through a variety of methods including but not limited to billboards, television PSA’s, radio and numerous social media campaigns. Much of this is low cost or donated. We partner with the LAPD, Reserve Officers themselves, and community leaders such as Dr. Shaquille O’Neal (who has served as a Los Angeles Port Police Reserve Officer), to tell their stories, to inspire others to apply. LAPRF hosts tables and booths at key events throughout Los Angeles (such as L.A. Fleet Week and the L.A. Auto Show) and arranges various speaking and community engagements. LAPRF actively seeks out opportunities to reach military veterans, as their skill set and "willingness to serve" orientation can make them qualified and interested Reserve candidates. LAPRF’s recruitment efforts are indispensable in ensuring a strong LAPD reserve program.

The Reserve Rotator Newsletter and Social Media

The LAPRF publishes The Reserve Rotator newsletter twice per year, with Vice President Mark Dietch’s 911 Media. This version of the newsletter has been published since 2008, and printed copies are mailed to active Reserve Officers, Command Staff, and others working on or within the LAPD reserve program. A PDF is also uploaded to the LAPRF website. Each issue, published in Summer and Winter, highlights the service, accomplishments, and other activities of LAPD Reserve Officers, and gives officers information on the reserve program Department-wide, with updates from LAPD and LAPRF management. Perhaps most important, the newsletter has become an archive, to document the history of the LAPD Reserve Corps – happening today and in the past. Finally, the newsletter helps to provide a channel of advocacy, not politically, but from a position of telling the story of our Reserve Officers. The Summer issues feature the annual Gala. The Winter 2023 issue included a cover story deep-dive into the State of the Corps, analyzing and reporting on an LAPD Reserve Corps Survey, commissioned by the Foundation; 36-questions, with over 100 responses. One respondent said: “Thank you for this survey. This is the first organized inquiry I can recall in a long time, and it reinforces how the LAPRF has been an advocate for the LAPD Reserve Corps.”
The LAPRF also manages a social media presence. The Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation page was established on Facebook in November 2011.

Reserve Memorial Garden

On June 26, 2021, the new Reserve Memorial Garden was dedicated at the LAPD Academy at Elysian Park, established and funded by the LAPRF, in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club (LAPRAAC). The beautiful garden is centered by the Memorial Granite. Below the engraved LAPD badge on the stone, the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps is listed, along with historical incarnations, the Los Angeles Police Auxiliary, Los Angeles Home Guard and the Los Angeles Rangers. “In memory of our fallen partners who, in the line of duty, made the ultimate sacrifice: Norbert John Huseman, Emergency Policeman, EOW December 31, 1945; George Booker Mogle, Reserve Policeman, EOW August 7, 1946; [and} Stuart S. Taira, Reserve Police Officer, EOW March 1, 1983.” Next to the Granite is the new plaque for Officer Taira, which his surviving brothers were there to see placed. This garden, a labor of love for so many, will stand as a monument for all who have served within this rich history of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Hardship and Bereavement

Over the years, some LAPD Reserve Officers and their families have needed financial or other assistance, often due to the consequences of their service to the City of Los Angeles. The LAPRF stands ready, as always, to be there for them.

It has been my honor to serve as Co-President, along with Karla Ahmanson, as we support those who protect and serve. On behalf of our Board of Directors, here is a summary of the current funding initiatives of the LAPRF.

• Twice A Citizen/Reserve Officer of the Year Gala
LAPRF sponsors the annual dinner honoring the Reserve Police Officers the Year and members of the Reserve Corps. The gala also serves as a fundraising event, recognizing “Twice A Citizen” community leaders.

• Training and Education
LAPRF provides funds for training opportunities that are otherwise not funded by the City or the Department, for example, partial reimbursements for the Annual Reserve Peace Officer Convention by CRPOA and PORAC training. During the pandemic most of this training has been on hold. Currently, the next ARPOC is scheduled in August 2021.

• Recruitment
LAPRF researches and provides media opportunities to increase both interest in, ad awareness of, the LAPD reserve program. LAPRF creates and manages the production of PSA radio spots and billboard type advertising. The Foundation identifies and coordinates opportunities to recruit at in person events, and creates and executes social media campaigns for recruitment. We coordinate with Department staff and reserve mentors at orientation events.

• Newsletter and Social Media Sites
LAPRF sponsors The Rotator newsletter, maintains LAPD Reserve social media accounts and laprf.org

• Equipment
The most recent example of this has been the BDU initiative, providing up to a reimbursement for the utility uniform the Department has authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of this writing, 68 officers have received the grant.

LAPRF will review requests to help subsidize reserve officers with financial hardships, the costs of their equipment not otherwise provided by the Department

The Foundation reimburses recently discharged military veterans for equipment reserve recruit officers must acquire for Academy training.

We will consider other specific requests on a case by case basis

• Special Task Forces
The LAPRF considers limited financial assistance towards the creation of specialized Reserve Units authorized by the Department.

• LAPRF College Scholarships
For several years now, the LAPRF has awarded annual college scholarships for LAPD reserve officers or their children.


• Legal Defense Plan Reimbursement
For several years now, the LAPRF has partially reimbursed LAPD reserve officers for the Legal Defense Plan offered through the Los Angeles Police Protective League. In 2020, 53 reserve officers received the subsidy.

I have had the honor to serve on the LAPRF Board since 2009, and for the last three years as Co-President. I continue to be amazed and grateful for the tremendous commitment of our Los Angeles Reserve Police Officers. I wanted to post an excerpt from one of our Presidents' updates to the Corps, which provides insight into our Foundation's mission and activities:

"We continue to ramp up our funding support, especially as our fundraising success increases. An example of funding that is right in our wheelhouse was the purchasing of BDUs (fatigue uniforms) for HWD reserve officers working homeless details. The funding request stated: “This detail is an example of how LAPD reserve police officers can have a real impact on the community in which they work.” The Area initially raised partial funds through the local boosters..."

"In addition, we’re pleased to announce the LAPRF Scholarship Initiative. Active LAPD reserve officers and their children will be eligible for the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation Emeritus Scholarship, giving some financial assistance toward their academic goals. This initiative will join others — recruitment, equipment, training and education — as the Foundation continues to focus on funding needs. You are there for your community and the LAPRF is there for you, especially in cases of financial hardship and your welfare."

Thank you for your time, and for your consideration of our Foundation and mission.

"The Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation originally formed in 1984 to help recognize the exceptional, often unheralded, service of the members of the Corps. The Foundation funded the Annual Reserve Officer of the Year Banquet, a dinner honoring the outstanding reserve officers of that year, a tradition established in the late 1970s.

In the late 1980s, the Foundation began to fund equipment, training and morale-building activities like the Care and Share, the building of the Academy Chapel, the Reserve Picnic and the creation of a welfare fund to assist reserves and in time of need. In the late 1990s the annual Twice A Citizen dinner event was begun, to honor the service of community leaders, highlight the Reserve Corps and its efforts, as well as to raise funds. In 2004 both events were merged into the “Twice A Citizen Awards Dinner”.

Today, the Foundation’s primary mission is to provide financial support for the Reserve Corps. Our Board of Directors includes community leaders and fellow LAPD Reserve Officers and members of the Corps, who meet regularly, to serve those who serve. The funding efforts include reimbursements for training conference fees, safety equipment and firearms purchases not covered by the Department, as well as support for community events such as Reserve Recruitment, Special Olympics, and Sunshine Kids. We have helped to provide additional equipment and funds for training that can be essential to officer safety - bullet-proof assault vests to reserve officer members of the Police Rifle Cadre, state-of-the-art flight helmets for reserve pilot/ observers, and equipment for mounted units. Much of this equipment can be prohibitively expensive for any one individual, especially in these challenging economic times, and the funding by the Foundation has been, in this very real sense, a lifeline. The Foundation has also provided travel assistance for reserves representing the LAPD at national and international events. And we have provided bereavement and emergency assistance to reserves and their families.

Our Los Angeles Reserve Police Officers have quietly, steadfastly, served our great City for a very long time, often putting their lives on the line. It is with this history of service and sacrifice in mind that our goal is to continue to supply, equip, support – and honor – the members of our Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps."

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