Los Angeles Municipal Code Art. 2 Police and Special Officers

Section 52.00 Definitions. 52.01 Issuance of Badges. 52.02 Special Police Officers’ Badges – Issuance. 52.03 Special Police – Application – Contents. 52.04 Special Police – Address to Be Filed. 52.05 Special Police – Fees. 52.06 Special Police – Record of Badges. 52.07 Special Police – Badges Must Be on Person. 52.09 Special Police Badges – Must Be Properly Issued. 52.10 Special Police – Other Badges. 52.10.1 Funeral Escort Officers. 52.11 Special Police – Must Have Badge. 52.12 Unauthorized Wearing of Official Police Officer’s Badge Prohibited. 52.13 Special Police – Return of Badges. 52.14 Police Badges – Proper Issuance. 52.15 Official Police Officer’s Badge – to Whom Issued. 52.15.1 Civilian Badge – to Whom Issued. 52.16 News Media Identification Cards – Issuance of. 52.17 Limitations on Number of News Media Identification Cards – Refusal to Issue. 52.18 News Media Identification Cards – Revocation. 52.19 News Media Identification Cards – Records. 52.20 News Media Identification Cards – Return of. 52.21 Police and Civilian Badges – Use by City Departments. 52.22 Police Badges and News Media Identification Cards – Record to Be Kept. 52.23 Police and Civilian Badges – Manufacture of. 52.24 Police and Civilian Badge Revolving Fund. 52.25 Police and Civilian Badges and News Media Identification Cards – Return of. 52.26 Custodian of Badges and News Media Identification Cards. 52.27 Badges and News Media Identification Cards – Unauthorized Possession of. 52.27.1 Retired Officers – Authorized Badges. 52.27.2 Former Reserve Officers – Authorized Badges. 52.27.3 Promotion – Authorized Badges. 52.27.4 Presentation of Badge and Other City-issued Equipment as a Memorial to a Regular Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty. 52.28 Police Uniforms – Limitation of. 52.28.1 Special Police Uniforms. 52.29 Police Identification Cards – Issuance. 52.30 Police Identification Cards – Possession of. 52.31 Police Identification Cards – Imitation of. 52.32 Badges – Other Departments. 52.32.1 Port Warden and Special Officers of Harbor Department Designated as Peace Officers. 52.33 City Attorney Badge. 52.34 Private Patrol Service – Regulations. 52.37.1 Use of Official Police Titles by Private Agencies – Similar Subterfuges – Prohibited. 52.42 Records Confidential. 52.42.1 Arrest Information. 52.43 False Statements. 52.44 Willfully Listening to Police and Fire Departments’ Portable Radio Messages – Prohibited. 52.46 Short Wave Radios, Use of. 52.50 Police Department – Making False Reports to. 52.51 Interference with Police Animals. 52.53 Garages – Rental – Report to Police. 52.55 Police Department Retention, Use, Sale or Destruction of Unclaimed Property.

For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases are defined, and shall be construed as hereinafter set out, unless it shall be apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:

(1) “Board” shall mean the Board of Police Commissioners.

(2) “Official Police Officer’s Badge” shall mean badges of the sizes, types and designs last approved by resolution of the Board adopted subsequent to January 1, 1940 for the use of Regular Police Officers and Reserve Police Officers. Each badge shall bear on the face thereof the title or rank of the person to whom it was issued. All badges of each title or rank shall be consecutively numbered and the numbers shall appear on the face of each badge. Where a Regular or Reserve Police Officer possesses more than one Official Police Officer’s Badge, those badges shall bear the same badge number. (Amended by Ord. No. 175,997, Eff. 7/7/04.)

(3) (None)

(4) “Special Police Officer’s Badge” shall mean a badge of the size, type and design last desig- nated by resolution of the Board for the use of persons commissioned by the Board to act as Special Police Officers. Such badge shall have enameled on the face thereof “Special” in addition to any other words or device and shall so differ in shape and design from the official police officer’s badge as to be, when displayed or worn, readily distinguishable therefrom. All such badges shall be consecutively numbered and the number shall appear on the face of each such badge.

(5) “Regular Police Officers” shall mean all regular police officer members of the Police Department of this city appointed under civil service rules and regulations and duly commissioned and sworn in as provided by law to perform the duties as peace officers and not retired from active duty, suspended or discharged; under whatever designation they may be elsewhere described.

(6) “Civilian Employee” shall mean all civilian employees of the Police Department of this City appointed under civil service rules and regulations, other than regular police officer members. (Added by Ord.

No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

(7) “Civilian Badge” shall mean a badge to be readily distinguishable from the official police office’s badge. Such badge shall bear on the face thereof the civil service classification of the employee to whom

such badge is assigned and shall be of a design approved by the Board. (Added by Ord. No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

No Board or member thereof, or officer or employee of the City of Los Angeles shall:

(A) Issue any special Police Officer’s badge, civilian badge or any official police officer’s badge except to persons lawfully entitled thereto under the provisions of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

(B) Issue to any person whomsoever any honorary police badge or any other badge calculated to indicate that the holder thereof is a member of or connected with the Police Department of the City of Los Angeles, except that special police officers’ badges and official police officers’ badges may be issued to persons lawfully entitled thereto as elsewhere provided in this code. (Amended by Ord. No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

(C) Assign, sell, give away or authorize the transfer or use of any badge, the issuance of which is prohibited by this article.

Special Police Officers’ Badges shall be issued by the Chief of Police and only to persons who have secured permits or commissions from the Board of Special Police Officers who have paid all fees required therefor by this code. (Amended by Ord. No. 82,838.)

Application for the issuance of a special police officer’s badge shall be made to the Chief of Police on regulation forms obtained from the Secretary of the Board, which application must contain the following data:

(a) The name and address of the person to whom the badge is to be issued.

(b) The duties of the person who requires the issuance of said badge.

(c) A description, signature and fingerprint of the person to whom the badge is to be issued.

(d) The name and address and signed request of the employer of the applicant showing the necessity for the issuance of said badge.

The Chief of Police may, in the exercise of reasonable discretion refuse to issue any such badge to any person if the Chief of Police deems such person not to be a fit and proper special police officer or if the duties of such person are not such as come within the purview of this article.

It shall be the duty of every person to whom a special police officer’s badge has been issued to furnish and keep on file with the Chief of Police, the true home address of such person.

The Chief of Police shall make a charge of Two Dollars for the issuance of every special police officer’s badge and for every badge issued to replace a lost badge which sum shall be considered as rental for the use of said badge, which shall at all times be and remain the property of this City.

The Chief of Police shall at all times keep a record of all special police officers’ badges issued by the Chief of Police, which record shall, among other things, show the name and present address of the person to whom the same was issued, the serial number of the badge, which shall be stamped on the back of each badge, and the rank or number on the face of said badge.

It shall be the duty of every person having a special police officer’s commission from the Board, or any person performing special police work to have on their person a special police officers badge while performing the duties of a special police officer.

No person shall wear or have in their possession any special police officers badge unless said badge has been regularly issued to such person in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

No person shall perform any duties of a special police officer unless such person shall first secure a special police officer’s badge as provided in this article.

(Amended by Ord. No. 177,374, Eff. 4/9/06.)

No person who is not a Regular Police Officer or Reserve Police Officer shall wear, display or carry an Official Police Officer’s Badge.

It shall be the duty of any person after the person has served their employment with any private patrol or bank, or who has ceased to perform the duties which require the issuance of a special police officer’s badge, to return the special police officer’s badge to the Chief of Police.

Official police officer’s badges shall be issued only by the Board and the same shall be issued only after official action is taken by the Board authorizing the issuance of the same.

(Amended by Ord. No. 150,115, Eff. 10/20/77. )

A. The Board is hereby authorized, and may delegate the authority to the Department, to issue news media identification cards (hereinafter “cards”) only to those whom the Board or the Department determines to be actual news-gathering representatives of newspapers or publications, news services, radio or television stations maintaining a regular news service or to self-employed reporters and photographers who regularly cover news events at which police and/or fire lines within the City of Los Angeles are established. The exclusive purpose of such cards shall be to enable the bearer thereof to pass through established police and fire lines in order to cover news events occurring behind such lines .

B. Each card shall be issued either for the current calendar year, or for a lesser period and shall bear upon its face:

1. The words “News Media” imprinted in bold letters.

2. A distinct number.

3. The name of the newspaper, news service, radio or television station, or the name of the self-employed reporter or photographer represented.

4. A photograph of the holder.

5. The right index fingerprint of the holder.

6. The signature of the holder.

7. The signature of the Chief of Police.

8. The year of issuance imprinted in bold numbers.

9. The age, weight, height, color of hair, and color of eyes of the holder.

C. No card shall be issued until application shall have been made to the Board or the Department (if the Board has delegated authority to the Department). An applicant may be required to furnish the following information:

1. The name, residence address, and residence telephone number of the applicant.

2. The age, weight, height, color of hair and color of eyes of the applicant.

3. The date of the application.

4. The reason for the issuance of said card.

5. If the applicant represents a newspaper, news service, radio or television station, the name, address and telephone number of the newspaper, news service, radio or television station represented.

6. If the applicant represents a newspaper, news service, radio or television station, the exact employment relationship between the applicant and the newspaper, publication, news service with the verification of the same and of the fact that the applicant is an actual news-gathering representative thereof by the manager of said newspaper, publication, news service, radio or television station.

7. If the applicant is a self-employed reporter or photographer, the past experience and demonstrated need of the applicant to cover on a regular basis news events at which police and/or fire lines are established.

D. Each applicant shall be cleared through the Records and Identification Division, and a space on the application shall be provided for the notation of such clearance. The application shall also contain a space for written approval, or disapproval, by the Chief of Police and the reasons therefor.

E. If any applicant is denied a card by the Department, the applicant may appeal such denial to the Board, which shall promptly review the reasons for such denial and issue a decision either affirming or overruling the Department.

F. Temporary cards, the duration of which shall last no more than one month, may be issued to news media representatives who do not qualify under Section A hereof.

G. Appropriate guidelines interpreting the implementation of this ordinance shall be approved by the Board. Said guidelines shall be made available upon request to all applicants for cards.

H. The fee for issuance of a card shall be $63.00; provided, however, that no fee shall be charged for the reissuance of such card. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,557, Eff. 4/14/20.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 150,115, Eff. 10/20/77.)

A. The Board, or the Department (if the Board has delegated authority to issue cards to the Department) may, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, limit the number of cards to be issued, and may also refuse to issue a card to any applicant. Any applicant who is refused a card by the Chief of Police may appeal to the Board in accordance with Section 52.16 E. hereof.

(Amended by Ord. No. 150,115, Eff. 10/20/77.)

A. The Board, or the Department (if the Board has delegated authority to the Department) may revoke a card after it has determined that the holder thereof has resisted officers in the discharge of their duties, delayed or obstructed officers conducting an investigation, has interfered with firefighters at a fire, endangered the preservation of public order and safety where police and/or fire lines have been established, or no longer has the qualifications necessary for the issuance of a card. Any such revocation of a card by the Department may be appealed to the Board in accordance with Section 52.16 E. hereof.

(Amended by Ord. No. 150,115, Eff. 10/20/77.)

A. The Board or the Department (if the Board has delegated authority to the Department) shall at all times maintain a correct current list of the names, addresses and employers (if any) of the bearers of all cards which have been issued pursuant to Section 52.16 A.

B. Each person to whom a card has been issued shall, within five days, notify the Board in writing as to each and every change of the person’s residence address or employer.

The holder of a card who no longer covers, on a regular or on-call basis. news events at which police and/or fire lines are established, or whose card has been revoked, shall return such card to the Board within ten (10) days of such occurrence. (Amended by Ord. No. 150,115, Eff. 10/20/77.)

No department of the City Government shall use a design or insignia for an official badge for said department identical with or similar to an official police officer’s badge or civilian badge, or special police officer’s badge. (Amended by Ord. No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

(Title Amended by Ord. No. 139,522, Eff. 12/21/69.)

A. The Board shall at all times keep a record of all badges issued by the said Board, which record shall show, among other things, the name and present residence address of the person to whom each badge was issued and the rank and number on the face of said badge.

B. The Board shall, at all times, keep a record of all news media identification cards issued by the said Board, which record shall show, among other things, the name and present residence address of each person to whom such a card was issued, the name and address of the newspaper, news service, radio or television station represented, and the consecutive serial number of each card. (Amended by Ord. No. 139,522, Eff. 12/21/69. )

(Amended by Ord. No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

A. No person shall manufacture, make, sell, design, or transfer any official police officer’s badge, civilian badge, or special police officer’s badge without the written authorization of the Board therefor; such person may deliver such badges only to the Board, and may manufacture only the number of badges authorized by the Board. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the manner in which contracts for the purchases of badges by the City shall be let, as provided in Section 380 of the Charter. (Amended by Ord. No. 173,276, Eff. 6/25/00, Oper. 7/1/00.)

B. No person shall manufacture, make, sell, design or transfer any badge, star, shield, miniature, ring, charm or insignia, regardless of size, shape or design, which has on it the words “Los Angeles Police” or “Los Angeles Detective,” whether used separately, together, or in a combination with any other words indicating a connection with the Los Angeles Police Department, or which is identical in design with or which resembles or may be mistaken for, the design of the official police officer’s badge, civilian badge, or special police officer’s badge, except as provided for in subsection A. hereof.

The Police Badge Revolving Fund heretofore established shall be at all times administered by the Chief of Police. The payment for any and all police officers’ badges or civilian badges shall be turned into this fund. Said fund shall be used for the manufacture, replating and repairing of badges of any and all types, sizes and designs heretofore or hereafter approved and issued by the Board or the Chief of Police, irrespective of whether the same are special police officers’ badges, civilian badges, or official police officers’ badges. (Amended by Ord. No. 112,577, Eff. 2/12/59.)

All official police officers’ badges, civilian badges, and news media identification cards shall be the property of the City of Los Angeles, and shall at no time become the personal property of any individual. When any person shall sever their connection with the Police Department, or shall retire on pension, it shall be the person’s duty to return their official police officer’s badge or civilian badge to the Board. When any person shall sever their connection with a newspaper, publication, news service, television or radio station, it shall be the person’s duty to return their news media identification card to the Board. (Amended by Ord. No. 139,522, Eff. 12/21/69.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 139,522, Eff.12/21/69.)

The Board shall appoint an officer of the Police Department to be the custodian of all badges and news media identification cards, and no official police officer’s badge, special police officer’s badge, civilian badge or news media identification card shall be issued to any person except by the custodian, who shall make a complete record of all badges and all news media identification cards so distributed, and shall distribute the same only as prescribed in this article.

The said custodian shall be responsible for the delivery of said badges and news media identification cards, and it shall be the custodian’s duty to recall any and all badges of persons who have severed their connections with the Police Department or who have retired on pension.

It shall be the custodian’s further duty to recall any and an news media identification cards of persons who have given up their positions as news-gathering representatives of newspapers, publications, news services, radio or television stations.

It shall be the custodian’s further duty to recall any and all special police officers’ badges from any person who have ceased to perform the duties of special police officers.

The Board is hereby authorized and directed to issue to each and every regular Police Officer of this City a numbered identification card which shall bear the printed name, serial number, signature, photograph and right index fingerprint of each such Regular Police Officer. Each such card shall bear the signature of the Chief of Police, or the Chief’s duly appointed deputy, in office at the time of issuance of such identification card. Each identification card shall state thereon that the holder thereof is a police officer of this City.

Neither the Board, the Chief of Police nor any other person shall issue a Police Identification Card as provided for in this Section to any person other than a Regular Police Officer. An honorably retired police officer shall return their identification card to the Department and a new card which has the preprinted word “RETIRED” across the face of the card will be issued to the officer, provided however that possession of such card shall be a privilege only, and the card shall be surrendered to the Chief of Police upon demand. In any event, the Department shall issue to honorably retired police officers identification certificates which carry endorsement and other requirements set forth in Penal Code Section 12027(a) and the Department shall implement any review by said Penal Code section. (Amended by Ord. No. 161,876, Eff. 1/23/87.)

No person other than a Regular or Retired Police Officer shall have in their possession any Identification Card issued to, or intended to be issued to, or purporting to have been issued to a Regular or Retired Police Officer of the City of Los Angeles, provided, however, that an honorably Retired Police Officer may possess an Identification Card which has the printed word “RETIRED” across the face of said card. (Amended by Ord. No. 161,876, Eff. 1/23/87.)

No person shall print or issue or have in their possession any identification card similar to the identification card mentioned in Section 52.29 of this Code, or any identification card stating that the person whose name appears thereon is a police officer or sworn officer of this City.

(Amended by Ord. No. 170,143, Eff. 1/6/95.)

(a) Uniform City Attorney Badge. “Uniform City Attorney Badge” shall mean a badge, to be readily distinguished from the official police officers badge, of a design selected by the Purchasing Agent and approved by the City Attorney.

(b) Issuance Restricted. No uniform City Attorney badge shall be issued to or be used, worn or carried by any person, unless the employee’s duties involve the active enforcement of law, or unless the employee performs other public duties which, in the judgment of the City Attorney are such as to require that the employee wear or carry a badge for purposes of identification.

(c) Managing Officers – Issuance and Records of Badges. Uniform City Attorney badges shall be issued only by the City Attorney. Such badges shall be consecutively numbered. The City Attorney shall keep records showing the number of each badge, the date of its issuance, and the name and residence address of the person to whom issued. Each badge shall remain the property of the City and must be returned to the City Attorney at the conclusion of the holder’s service or upon the holder being assigned duties not requiring the use of the badge.

(d) Reimbursement Required. Each employee to whom a badge is issued must reimburse the City for the cost thereof if the badge be lost or destroyed through the employee’s negligence, or if the badge be not turned in to the City Attorney at the termination of employment.

(e) Retired Officers and Employees. When the holder of any badge, the use of which is authorized under this section, is honorably retired, the same or another badge may be reissued to the retiree, provided there be permanently affixed thereto to engraved or embossed thereon, at the holder’s expense, the word “RETIRED” and figures showing the retiree’s term of service. The retiree must reimburse the City for the cost of the badge.

(Amended by Ord. No. 173,375, Eff. 8/5/00.)

(a) Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, certain terms used herein are defined as follows:

(1) Private Patrol Service. The term “private patrol service” shall mean any “private patrol operator” as defined in the California Business and Professions Code which furnishes or purports to furnish to

members, subscribers, or customers any street patrol officer for the purpose of affording additional security and protection of person and property or to perform any other service directly related to the “private protection of life and property.”

(2) Street Patrol Officer. The term “street patrol officer” shall mean any person who performs for a private patrol service the duties of a uniformed guard or uniformed patrol officer or any of the duties

described in subdivision (a)(1) by street patrol service utilizing foot patrol, motor patrol, or other means of transportation in public areas, City streets, or public thoroughfares. This definition shall not apply to uniformed guards or uniformed caretakers employed by an entity other than a private patrol service, such as by industrial plants, department stores, community associations, or private clubs wherein said function does not require patrolling from one location to another by use of a City street, nor shall it apply to persons employed by such an entity solely in connection with the commercial, public, or professional business of such an entity.

(b) Private Patrol Services.

(1) Permit. It shall be unlawful to engage in the business of maintaining or operating any private patrol service in the City of Los Angeles without first obtaining a license as required by the State of California

and a permit from the City.

(2) Requirements for Permits. The following requirements must be met to obtain a permit to operate, maintain and conduct a private patrol service in the City.

A. Registration. A registration form shall be filed with the Board of Police Commissioners on forms supplied by the City. The registration form shall be signed and verified by the registrant and shall state the name, address and organization of the private security service, its method of operation, the territory or location it proposes to serve, the names, addresses of its officers, members, associates and

employees and a description of the procedures for investigating citizen complaints against its street patrol officers.

B. State License. The registration form for a permit shall be accompanied by a photostatic or certified copy of the private patrol service’s State of California License evidencing compliance with State

laws relating to the business of private patrols.

C. Insurance. Upon request, a private patrol service shall furnish to the Board of Police Commissioners evidence of the following insurance: workers’ compensation, general liability insurance,

automobile insurance in the amounts required by State law.

(c) Street Patrol Officers.

(1) Registration. It shall be unlawful for any person to perform the duties of a street patrol officer in the City of Los Angeles without first obtaining a Guard Registration card as required by the State of

California and registering with the City. Upon the registration being accepted by the City, the Board of Police Commissioners may issue a permit which shall be subject to all of the provisions of Chapter 10 of this Code, including all the rights, regulations, and due process procedures contained therein. The Board of Police Commissioners shall retain street patrol officer permits in its files.

(2) Requirements for Registration. The following requirements must be met to register to perform the duties of a street patrol officer in the City.

A. Registration. A registration form shall be filed with the Board of Police Commissioners on forms supplied by the City. The registration form shall be signed and verified by the registrant and shall state the registrant’s name, address and the name and address of the private patrol service by whom the registrant is employed. The registration form shall be submitted to the Board of Police Commissioners within 15 days of the Street Patrol Officer being hired by the Private Patrol Service. Registration forms may be submitted by hand-delivery, U.S. mail or facsimile.

B. State Registration Card. The registration form for a street patrol officer permit must be accompanied by a photostatic or certified copy of the officer’s State of California Guard Registration card evidencing compliance with the State laws relating to the occupation of a street patrol officer.

(d) Uniform, Equipment, Badges, Insignia.

(1) General. Any badge, insignia, patch or uniform used or worn by any employee, officer, member or associate of a private patrol service, while on duty for said patrol service, shall be in compliance with State

law. Any such badge, insignia, patch or uniform shall not be of such a design as to be mistaken for an official badge, insignia or uniform worn by a law enforcement officer of the City of Los Angeles or any other law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the City.

(2) Uniforms. The Private Patrol Service shall submit to the Board of Police Commissioners a sample or color photograph of the proposed uniform for approval by the Board to ensure that it does not resemble a

uniform of any law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the City. No uniform shall be worn if the sample thereof submitted to the Board has been determined to be in violation of subsection (d)(1).

(3) Equipment, Weapons, Ammunition. Street Patrol Officers are only authorized to carry .38 caliber, .45 caliber, .357 caliber and 9 millimeter firearms. The Board of Police Commissioners shall have the

authority to grant an exception to this subsection upon a showing of good cause. Firearms and ammunition used by street patrol officers shall be of a brand name, model and caliber approved by the State of California. No street patrol officer shall carry any firearm in the performance of their duties unless the officer possesses a valid firearm qualification card issued by the State for said firearm. Other authorized weapons include State approved batons and chemical agents as authorized by the officer’s State permit.

(e) Motor Vehicles. Each vehicle used for the purpose of patrolling shall comply with California Vehicle Code section 25279(b) and at a minimum the letters and numerals shall be clearly visible and readable from a distance of fifty feet and shall be permanently affixed to the vehicle. A private patrol service shall not use or permit to be used for purposes of patrolling, any vehicle which is not marked and identifiable with approved markings or insignia in accordance herewith. No vehicle used by a private patrol service shall be equipped with a red light, siren, or be painted in a manner similar to a police vehicle of the City of Los Angeles or other law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the City. The private patrol service shall submit to the Board of Police Commissioners a color photograph of the proposed vehicles showing compliance with this subsection.

(f) Reports to Police. Every private patrol service operator and every street patrol officer shall immediately make a report to the Police Department of any felonies, high-grade misdemeanors or violation of federal law

which come to their attention. High-grade misdemeanors include Petty Theft, Dangerous Weapons’ Control Laws, Traffic Manslaughter, Indecent Exposure, Child Molesting, Contributing to the Delinquence of a Minor, Lewd Conduct, and all other misdemeanor sex offenses. The private patrol service shall also immediately notify the Police Department of any weapon discharge or private person’s arrest made within the City, by any employee, officer, member, or associate of the private patrol service.

(g) Employees. The private patrol service will be responsible for each street patrol officer to be registered with the State and to carry proof thereof at all times while on duty. A Street Patrol Officer in connection with their duties, upon request by a law enforcement officer, shall identify themself as a Street Patrol Officer and shall give their name and employer’s name. At no time shall a Street Patrol Officer conduct themself by word or manner as to lead others to believe that the Street Patrol Officer possesses the power to enforce Traffic Regulations or to issue Traffic Citations.

(h) Authority to Make Rules and Regulations. The Board of Police Commissioners shall have the authority to make rules and regulations not inconsistent with State law or this chapter concerning private patrol services and street patrol officers. Prior to any changes or additions to such Board rules and regulations, the Board of Police Commissioners shall give reasonable notice to all private patrol services registered with the City of the proposed changes or additions.

(i) Permits; Nontransferable. Permits issued under this article are not transferable. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the owner of a private patrol service from selling, assigning or transferring such

service; however any new owner, transferee, or assignee shall be required to qualify under this article before commencing operations or carrying on business as a private patrol service.

(j) Suspension/Revocation. Violation of any provision of this ordinance, any of the rules promulgated by the Board of Police Commissioners, or of any State or local law in connection with the operation of a Private Patrol Service, may be cause for suspension and/or revocation of the permit held by the Private Patrol Service. The Board of Police Commissioners shall notify the Private Patrol Service of the intent to suspend or revoke the registration of any of its street patrol officers.

(k) Permits Not Exclusive. Permits required by this article shall be in addition to any license or permit required under any other chapter of this code.

(a) No person required by any provision of Section 52.38 to 52.42 inclusive, to furnish a statement, shall in such statement give any false or fictitious address or any address other than a true address or intended address, or furnish in the making of any such report any false, untrue or misleading information or statement, relating to any information required by any of the provisions thereof to be made or furnished.

(b) Continuing Offense. The duty to furnish statements when and in the manner provided by Sections 52.38 to 52.42 inclusive, is hereby declared to be a continuing one, and for each day that any person required under the provisions of Section 52.38 to 52.42 inclusive to furnish a statement fails to do so, such failure shall constitute a separate offense; provided, however, that no person may be convicted more than once on account of violations occurring by reason of failure, on a series of days, to furnish such statements; provided further, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to bar subsequent prosecutions for violations of the provisions of this code occurring subsequent to a prior conviction or acquittal of a violation thereof.

It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully listen by means of any radio receiving device located in or upon any vehicle to any official message which is being transmitted by the Police Department or Fire Department of the City of Los Angeles or any law enforcement agency over a radio transmitting station owned or operated by such city or agency. The provisions herein shall not apply to any person to whom a permit to listen to such radio messages has been issued in writing by the Chief of Police of the City of Los Angeles after the Chief of Police determines that public interest will be served by the issuance of such permit, nor shall the provisions of this section apply to any officer, agent, or servant of any government agency or public utility, the performance of whose duty as such officer, agent or servant, requires that the officer, agent or servant listen to such messages.

No person who intercepts, overhears or receives any message or communication transmitted by any radio transmission station operating upon a wave length or radio frequency assigned by the Federal Communication Commission for use by any police or law enforcement department shall, for the financial benefit of themself or another communicate such message or communication to another or directly or indirectly use the information so obtained.

No person shall willfully make to the Police Department of the City any false, misleading or unfounded report, for the purpose of interfering with the operation of the Police Department or with the intention of misleading any police officer.

A false oral statement made upon the initiative of one who resorts to the police department or member thereof for the specific purpose of having some action taken with respect thereto is a violation of the foregoing section. People v. Minler,(135 Cal. App. 2d Supp. P. 889.)

See also People v. Smith. CRA 3242 (131 Cal. App. 2d Supp. P. 889.)

No person shall willfully, and in a manner not otherwise prohibited by Penal Code Section 597, tease, harass, agitate, provoke, beat, kick, strike, injure, or in any way interfere with, any dog, horse or any other animal being used by any law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer’s official duties. (Added by Ord. No. 157,283, Eff. 1/7/83.)

Persons owning, conducting, managing or operating any building, place or premises other than a private garage, wherein any motor vehicle is parked or stored by or for the public, shall make a written report to the Chief of Police of each motor vehicle not the property of such person, which shall have been parked or stored in such building, place or premises for a period of seventy-two (72 hours continuously. Said written report shall be filed with the police department, within twenty-four 24 hours from and after the expiration of said seventy-two (72) hours, and contain:

(a) The name of the person making such report;

(b) The address of the building, place or premises where such motor vehicle shall have been parked or stored for such seventy-two (72) hour period;

(c) The name and address of the registered owner of such motor vehicle as shown on the certificate of registration issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the State of California, or if there be no such certificate of registration in or on such vehicle, such fact shall be stated;

(d) A brief description of such motor vehicle, including the name or make, the motor number and license number thereof as shown by the number plates thereon, together with the name of the state issuing such license plates.

(Amended by Ord. No. 151,354, Eff. 9/16/78)

(a) For purposes of this section:

1. “Unclaimed property” shall mean any and all property of others in the possession of the Police Department and for which no claim or demand has been made nor owner found.

2. The Property Division of the Police Department is designated as the “stores agency” for purposes of retention, sale or destruction of unclaimed property.

(b) (Amended by Ord. No. 166,322, Eff. 11/22/90.) Unclaimed property shall be held by the Police Department for a period of at least three months before further disposition as herein provided, provided however that bicycles may be disposed of as set forth in Subsection (c). The Police Department is hereby authorized to thereafter cause such unclaimed property to be processed for public sale, retention or destruction as hereinafter provided:

1. The property may be sold at public auction to the highest bidder upon notice of sale given by the Chief of Police at least five days before the time fixed therefor by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Los Angeles; or that such property is needed and is suitable for public use, it need not be sold. The stores agency may retain the property for use of the Police Department in accordance with Civil Code Section 2080.4 and approved procedures for regulation and use thereof. The procedures shall include a determination by the Department, before the property is placed into service, that

   A. expenditures required for its installation, operation, repair and ongoing maintenance will not require further funding approval, or

   B. placing the property into service will preclude the need for acquisition of the same or similar property previously approved during the City’s budget process.

Identification of all such property retained shall be submitted with the Department’s next annual budget request.

2. In the event such unclaimed property is neither sold nor retained as above-provided, the stores agency may cause it to be summarily destroyed if it is in a dilapidated, deteriorated, or unsafe condition, or the possession thereof by the public is unlawful.

(c) Unclaimed bicycles may be disposed of in accordance with Subsection (b) or, if the bicycle has a value less than $500 and remains unclaimed for a period of at least 90 days, may be transferred pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 217 to governmental and nonprofit organizations described in said code section for use in programs or activities designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. Before transfer to a governmental or nonprofit organization, the property owner, if known or reasonably can be ascertained, shall be notified as described in said code. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,206, Eff. 11/22/17.)