LAPD Entrapment

I could be wrong, I told myself, but the last time I checked the core mission and motto of the LAPD was to protect and to serve.

In a desperate search for some affirmation, I explored the LAPD website—and there it was. “‘To Protect and to Serve’ is not just a slogan—it is our way of life,” the site read, under its explanation of the force’s service to the communities.

Now if that entails some officers sitting on their bicycles, pen and ticket in hand, while stalking college students as they cross the street with the hopes of handing out j-walking tickets, then perhaps their motto is in desperate need of a complete overhaul.

While recently making my way onto the USC campus, I found myself distracted as I made the trek across the street at Jefferson and McClintock. I could not help but overhear an ensuing argument between a male ‘SC student and a LAPD officer who had his bike propped up against him. Though unaccustomed to eavesdropping, I made an exception. I discovered that just moments before my arrival at the scene, another ‘SC student was given a ticket for j-walking, or perhaps j-biking, given the fact that she was sitting off to the side atop her bike. Taking to her defense, the nearby male student questioned the officer’s motive for selectively ticketing that particular individual. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere else around the area? There are people trying to sell us drugs right around the corner, so why not start there rather than writing her up for a $200 dollar j-walking ticket,” the male student questioned. Immediately losing all composure, the bike cop found himself yelling at the student and asking, “Are you trying to educate me about the law? Are you telling me how to do my job?”

Taken back by such hostility, the student questioned the officer’s sudden display or rage, asking if it was really necessary, and suddenly it seemed as if the officer had simply had enough. Seemingly trying to put an end to the heated conversation, the bike cop ordered the student to go along and “step off the sidewalk. Step off the sidewalk. Please step off the sidewalk.” Well aware of the blinking crosswalk signal that had only seven seconds permitting individuals already in the crosswalk to finishing crossing, the bike cop continued to instigate the student to hurry along. Distracted by the officer’s orders, the student proceeded to cross. However the moment the student set his first foot onto the pavement of the road, the officer threatened, “I will ticket you.” Already too late, the student had begun making his way to the other side of the street. The bike cop then ordered him to come back because “I’m gonna give you a ticket for that,” the officer stated. The student then rightfully argued that the officer had just given him the order to cross the street a multiple of times. Despite such a plea to two other officers flanking the irritated bike cop, the student argued to no avail and was awarded a ticket for his compliance.

Though the LAPD would like to pride itself in always exercising the “integrity in the use of the power and authority,” it is quite evident that this is certainly not always the case. Because in this case, they exercised entrapment, and the student ate the apple because the officer had beguiled him.

According to its legal definition, entrapment occurs when a person is “induced or persuaded by law enforcement officers or their agents to commit a crime that he had no previous intent to commit; and the law as a matter of policy forbids conviction in such a case.” Furthermore, for true entrapment to take place, three things must have occurred.

First, the idea for committing the crime came from the government agents and not from the person accused of the crime. Second, the government agents then persuaded or talked the person into committing the crime. Simply giving him the opportunity to commit the crime is not the same as persuading him to commit the crime. And third, the person was not ready and willing to commit the crime before the government agents spoke with him.

Not only was the bike cop a law enforcement officer, but he also commenced to verbally persuade the student into committing the crime. The student was in the heat of an argument with the bike cop, and merely sought to elicit a legitimate explanation for the cop’s actions, however his conversation with the officer was cut short, only to be prematurely dismissed, finding himself being sent off to “step off the curb.” The bike cop knowingly knew the implications of stepping off of the curb, laying in wait to write off and distribute yet another ticket.

If officers continue to behave in such outlandish manners, it becomes quite hard to view the Los Angeles Police Department as a leader in law enforcement. It becomes even harder to believe that its officers ensure that their values become a part of their day-to-day work. If integrity is part of their standard, such conduct exhibited by this LAPD bike cop certainly fails to merit the respect of the city’s people. Perhaps the LAPD needs to re-evaluate its officer’s core values, otherwise go back to the motto drawing board, and create a more fitting slogan.