In Trump era, LAPD strengthens bonds with immigrants here illegally

[DonViejo]

By BRITTNY MEJIA, ANDREA CASTILLO and KATE MATHER
MAY 17, 2018 | 6:10 AM

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Connecting with those in the country illegally has emerged as a major goal for the Los Angeles Police Department in the era of President Trump, whose vow to ramp up deportations has stoked fear in immigrant communities.

It's part of a policing strategy that has actually been employed by the LAPD for decades.

Nearly 40 years ago, the LAPD prohibited officers from questioning residents solely to determine their immigration status, in hopes of fostering trust and cooperation.

In more recent years, a dramatic shift in the department's demographic makeup has deepened its relationship with the diverse community it serves.

Since the racial unrest of the 1992 riots, the LAPD has created a force that, once almost all white, now nearly mirrors the city: Forty-eight percent of sworn officers are Latino, 10% are Asian and 10% are black. About 15% of the department's officers are foreign-born.

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http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-lapd-immigration-20180517-story.html