May 2011 Archives

Inglewood police officials on Friday said they were "extremely proud" that the Manhattan Beach Police Department hired away Capt. Eve Irving to be its police chief.

Irvine, a 29-year Inglewood police veteran, takes over Manhattan Beach's force June 1, replacing the retiring Rod Uyeda. Irvine will be the second female South Bay police chief.

"Captain Irvine will make an excellent chief of police for the city of Manhattan Beach," said the other female chief, Inglewood's Jacqueline Seabrooks, Irvine's current boss. "We are proud to have been a part of Captain Irvine's success. While she will absolutely be missed, we certainly wish her well."

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr., a former Inglewood police deputy chief who served as Santa Monica's police chief, said he has known Irvine every since she joined the Inglewood department.

"It was clear very early into her career here that she was destined for leadership," Butts said. "The Manhattan Beach Police Department is getting a great chief. The City of Inglewood is proud of Captain Irvine. She will be missed."

Irvine and Seabrooks are among 23 women police chiefs heading municipal departments in California. She will be the fourth female chief serving in Los Angeles County.

Last week when I attempted to talk to the owner of the dogs involved in that attack on three people in Wilmington, he hung up on me.

On Friday, when I was off work, this letter came in via email. Here it is. Nothing is changed.

April 28, 2011
Mr. Tillman

After hearing and reading many versions of this recent accident I would like to present my personal and honest understanding of it all.

First and foremost, I once again offer my sincerest apologies to my surrounding community, as well as deepest condolences to everyone involved in this tragic accident.
With that said, let the record show that these dogs were treated with the best of care in terms of love and affection, and in no way were ever mistreated, neglected, abused, or trained to attack.

On the contrary, family, friends and often strangers themselves admired the discipline and friendliness of these two loving and protecting animals.

I personally took advantage of every opportunity I came across to introduce these beautiful animals to people of every race, color and creed without prejudice with the purpose of teaching them to be comfortable, behaved and non-violent in the company of other human beings. We frequently took them to the park and let them run and play for exercise where they demonstrated excellent command acknowledgement when I would order them to sit, stay, come, or go. They've been to my baseball games, bbq's, family reunions; many populated environments.

The people of my neighborhood (especially children) were encouraged by me to interact with these lively animals in a positive, healthy, respectable manner. I made it my personal duty to constantly remind and educate all who came in contact with Chuco and Cisco that it is very, very important, if not vital at times, not to purposely tease or provoke such animals in a way as to cause them to feel threatened or fearful.