February 12, 2024

GLENDALE, CA – The Glendale Police Department is aware of the recent report released by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations regarding arrest data from 2010 to 2020. We appreciate the Commission's efforts in conducting an analysis of the data and recognize the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.

While we acknowledge the report's findings, it is essential to understand the context and multifaceted nature of policing in diverse communities like ours. The Commission did not consult the Glendale Police Department (GPD) during the report's formulation. This omission is concerning as we are committed to transparency, fostering open discussions, and actively involving the community; additionally, it disregards valuable insights and perspectives that could have contributed to a more precise representation of our arrest practices and community engagement efforts.

Statistically, our arrest demographics align closely with the population of Los Angeles County. While the report highlights an 8% arrest rate of Black/African American individuals by our department, it fails to acknowledge that this figure corresponds closely to the proportion of Black/African Americans in the county population, 9%. Similarly, the report notes that Hispanic individuals comprise approximately 40% of arrestees in Glendale, which is lower than the approximately 50% Hispanic population in the county.

These statistics unequivocally demonstrate that our arrest practices are proportionate and do not indicate any significant disparities against members of the Black or Hispanic community.

Moreover, it is imperative to note that over half of the arrests made in Glendale involve non-residents, underscoring the importance of considering regional dynamics when interpreting arrest statistics. This indicates a need for a more nuanced approach to understanding law enforcement data.

The headline of the Commission on Human Relations News Release, "New Report Shows Racial Disparities in Suburban Police Department Arrests in Northeast Los Angeles," is taken out of context. The report's authors use aggregate arrest data to identify racial disparities; however, a thorough examination of Glendale's data reveals that these assertions may be misleading.

Throughout the majority of the data period, our arrest rates have remained consistent, with fluctuations during 2020 and 2021 attributable to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Our arrests should be analyzed within the context of Los Angeles County and Glendale's unique demographics, socio-economic landscape, and population against the other cities studied.

The Glendale Police Department is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and accountability in all our interactions with the community.

We take immense pride in our record of service to the Glendale community and remain dedicated to fostering trust, transparency, and positive relationships with those who live, work, and visit. Moving forward, we encourage a constructive dialogue based on a comprehensive understanding of the data and the complexities inherent in law enforcement practices.

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About Glendale Police Department
Established in 1906, the Glendale Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 250 sworn officers, and nearly 400 total employees. The Glendale Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services through proactive policing, professionalism, and community partnerships.

Assignments include Patrol, Traffic, Investigations Bureau, Narcotics, SWAT, Motorcycles, K-9, School Resource Officer, Custody, Dispatch, and Air Support. Police Department responsibilities include 9-1-1 emergency response, proactive law enforcement, traffic enforcement and collision investigation, crime investigation and case preparation, community and school policing, and administration of the city jail facility.
For more information, visit GlendaleCA.gov/Police or follow @GlendalePoliceDept on Instagram and @GlendalePD on Facebook and X.

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