LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Speaking at a graduating class of nearly 500 police cadets, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck reflected on the shooting massacre in Connecticut.
He told CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Kara Finnstrom that he wanted to implement a new program where officers would check in to elementary and junior high schools at least once a day.
The announcement of the program was unexpected.
Beck told Finnstrom he was hoping to implement the program by the time students returned from Winter break.
Talking about the massacre in Newtown, the chief told Finnstrom, “I’ve been a police officer for 36 years and I thought I knew how deep evil went … I’ve hunted and I’ve captured murderers, child molesters, rapists, and it turns out, I had no idea how low human beings could sink.”
Beck told Finnstrom he’s working out the logistics with School Superintendent John Deasy. He also hopes to extend the program to private schools.
“I’m going to use all 10,000 Los Angeles police officers. We won’t be there all the time — but no one will ever know when we will be there. I don’t want anyone to think they can walk into a school in Los Angeles and be immune from the police. Cause you won’t be.”
The Chief said he was hoping the new cadets could be a positive force as well — to be the eyes and ears of the police force.
