Old Timers

[B-Bob]

Interesting reading.. I think it would be great if you would share this with other LASD folks. One large group you can get to can be found at LASDRETIRED.ORG. AKA 'The Moon Site'.

270D

[retired]

Now that I'm retired, I'm a member of lasdretired.org and receive all of the emails. It is a good organization and helps me and other retirees keep abreast of what is going on in the dept. and what is happening with retirees we know and possibly worked with.

[eltee]

Those old timers sure had it hard....

In some ways, especially with technology but in many ways they had it easier than us. Back in their day, cops could be cops. Pre-Miranda, etc. etc. minimal paperwork, minimal oversight, no special interest groups to deal with, higher levels of public support, self initiated "community policing" without a 3 day course and a 3 inch thick policy, true discretionary decision making...

and a Thompson SMG slung on your shoulder to backup the 1911 on your hip.

In many ways I wish I could have worked under those conditions.

Of course, I am now considered (almost) one of the old timers.

Great thread.

[yzErnie]

It doesn't even go back as far as that old timers story when street cops kept the thugs and gangsters in check. Now, the gangsters are who are running the neighborhoods of see no fear in the street cops...and I think that is just a shame. I miss those days terribly but the light at the end of my retirement is getting brighter every day. 2 years, 8 months, 1 day and 6.5 hours...but I'm not counting!!

[socalsheepdog]

Someone get Ken Burns on this. A Ken Burns documentary on early American Law Enforcement would be the best.

I was in a guys house once who was Ret LASO from way back when. This guy was old and had a wall full of memories. He was pretty cool, and loved to talk about the old days. It was a medical aid call and I think he felt a lot better just being around a few cops again. Fascinating stuff.

[jafount]

Wow. Awesome stories indeed. I feel old when I talk about driving diplomats and having repeaters in the car that made your handheld radios work. That's all high tech compared to these stories!

[A324]

Also, that the CHP's were issued Thompson .45 sub machine guns during WWII, which they rode around with slung over their shoulders up and down PCH.

I've seen photos of CHP motors with Thompson's patrolling the perimeter of McClellan AFB in Sacramento during WW2. I believe those photos are on display inside the Capitol building along with other CHP memorabilia.

[Fire in the Hole]

I've seen photos of CHP motors with Thompson's patrolling the perimeter of McClellan AFB in Sacramento during WW2. I believe those photos are on display inside the Capitol building along with other CHP memorabilia.

The justification was written up after Pearl Harbor, by the Govenor to equipt them to patrol from Cresent City to San Diego, on Hwy 1, looking for any Japanese Submarines, or shore boarding craft. The Gov. diverted them from the CA National Guard which already had M-1's. The reason you see McClellan AFB in many early photos is because this was where the CHP Academy was located prior to being moved to it's own facility in Bryte, (West Sacto), during Gov. Reagan's Administration.

[5shot]

Those old timers sure had it hard. I remembered when we didn't have a handheld radio. So, when we leave the radio car, we had to turn PA volume up so we can hear it. Time sure is getting better equipmentwise.

Yep, remember those days. If you took off on a foot pursuit, your follow-up had to figure out where you went from your last broadcast.

[brode]

Hi, thought I'd intro myself. Retired from Burbank PD about ten years ago after putting in 27+ years. I've been teaching College and practicing law full time since then and doing some JAG work with the 40th ID on weekends.

[retired]

brode, welcome to Calguns and to the leo forum also!

Sounds like you are enjoying your second career. Feel free to jump in upon reading any of the questions posed by our non leo members as it sounds like your experience will be very helpful in answering the questions.

Also, don't hesitate to reply to any of the posts by any active/retired leo (I'm retired), as I'm sure you have some interesting insights on many subjects.