Photo courtesy of the Anti-Defamation League. From left to right: LBPD Commander Paul Lebaron; Monica Ramirez, special assistant to Attorney General Kamala Harris; Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert; Deputy Attorney General Jessica Owen; Deputy City Prosecutor Elana Miller; LBPD Detective Chris Zamora; LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell; Deputy Sheriff LaTosha Walker; Sr. Prosecutor Assistant Tracy McGee; Deputy Attorney General Maggy Krell; LBPD Deputy Chief Dave Hendricks; LASD Commander Christy Guyovich.
Long Beach’s police department and prosecutor’s office were among the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) honorees Tuesday for their efforts in combating human trafficking.
The pair were recipients of the “Helen & Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate,” along with the state Attorney General’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The offices worked together to bring one of the first human trafficking charges filed with hate crime allegations in the state, according to an ADL release.
While accepting the award, LBPD Detective Chris Zamora told guests of the luncheon and awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Tuesday about the importance of ADL’s hate crime training and the background information they provided, stating that it helped prepare officers testify in court. He also emphasized the importance of the four-agency collaboration.
“I could not be more proud of my office,” city Prosecutor Doug Haubert told the Post following the event. “This is the second time we’ve been recognized by ADL in the last three years, and it shows how hard my office is working to fight hate crime. But this is a team effort, and I applaud LBPD especially for being so proactive in this area.”
LBPD officials thanked the ADL for recognizing their efforts toward combating human trafficking in the community and thanked other agencies for their collaboration.
“We are grateful to the many organizations who have partnered with us in these efforts, and we will continue to use all tools available to us in our commitment to eradicate this horrendous crime,” officials stated on Facebook.
Other honorees included the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Safety Partnership Program, first responders and investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies involved in the San Bernardino Terror Attack, and Orange County Sheriff’s Department Public Affairs Manager Carrie Braun for her work in fostering relationships with diverse groups across Orange County.
The nationally recognized prize goes to law enforcement personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty to fight hatred and protect the community from hate-motivated violence, ADL officials stated.
“This year’s honorees have taken creative and effective steps to make our communities safer,” stated ADL Regional Director Amanda Susskind. “Their contributions range from fighting terrorism to reducing hate against the most vulnerable in our society. What they have in common is that they make a tangible difference in protecting the community.”
L.B.P.D. RECOGNIZED BY ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUEThank you to the Anti-Defamation League who presented our department with…
Posted by Long Beach Police Department (CA) on Wednesday, March 9, 2016