Q&A With Culver City Chief Of Police Scott Bixby

CULVER CITY, CA — Here is a Q&A with Culver City Police Department Chief Scott Bixby:

Robert Gagnier: Chief Bixby, you have been in your current role for a little over five years now. What aspect of the job have you found most rewarding, and which aspect perhaps the most challenging?

Chief Scott Bixby: The most rewarding is the support of the community. I meet with my peers and colleagues around the county on a monthly basis and they all recognize the level of support we have here. A relativity recent survey went out that indicated that we have an 84 percent approval rating that included responses of either good or very good. For police work I consider that phenomenal. The other side of the coin involves a mostly national narrative which is to gain and keep the trust of the people. We take a pretty good beating in the media nationwide particularly through social media and the internet. Its very difficult to stay ahead of those elements, particularly when people take what they initially hear as gospel.

RG: When we last met three years ago you discussed the Measures of Effectiveness and the Five P's that your department holds dear. How are those coming along in terms of implementation, and are you happy with where your officers stand with respect to that?

CSB: I am — but I believe redundancy is very important here. I often find myself in staff meetings and I hear myself saying the same thingsover and over again but I typically have a new audience. For example, the person who is being sworn in-this is for that new officer and their family. Staff may hear it again and again but I firmly believe that the more people that hear it-the better. It has become the culture here. The vast majority of the people here can recite what those Measures and P's are. I'll have brand new hires sit right where you are and ask them about the Measures of Effectiveness and they'll rattle them off as well as the P's. Its not lip service to me — I really believe that if we can accomplish those five things inthe parameters of the Five P's we are going to be successful —and we are.

RG: Technology is playing perhaps its greatest role in all of recorded human history in many industries. Are you happy with where your department is with respect to what is currently available at their fingertips?

CSB: Well I would like to have more things in that realm of technology for the department but I also understand the sensitivity with some of the community members and that fine balance between what is big brother and what is helping us do our job. Not too long ago we were trying to get auto-license readers where we would have them posted at major intersections throughout the city.

From my point of view, it would have been beneficial in terms of possibly catching a plate from a vehicle that may have been involved in a crime. On the other hand there was some concern with members of thecommunity that this was an invasion of privacy. Some even felt that that particular data base could impact immigration and that the data base could be handed over to the government. We aren't immigration police and our policy is in line with that. In any event, the council felt that there was enough community members concerned and as a result we didn't get that. That said we have a pilot program with our drones underway, as well as body cams and dash cams installed invehicles. They have all proven themselves to be extremely valuable. They are not only transparency tools, but also helps to gather valuable evidence.

RG: Will a set group of officers specialize in strictly flying drones?

CSB: No — that will be a collateral duty. We are going to have about 12 different pilots who are trained and the reason for that is so we can have someone on duty at all times who can fly them.

RG: Are there particular regulations that CCPD has to abide by with regards to the FAA and flying the drones themselves as opposed to what any individual who walks in and buys one at Best Buy would have to do?

CSB: There are certain regulations that we have to abide by — I believe its 400 feet with respect to the maximum height of the drone. However, you can go buy one now and would not have to abide by those same regulations. And in fact the drones that we operate will be very similar to what you can go into a Best Buy and purchase yourself. Ours will have certain cameras and infrared or heat seeking technology so we can see at night — but other than that you can buy the same drone this department has.

RG: Chief what are your personal thoughts about social media and your departments presence on it?

CSB: I think the genie is out of the bottle. I think its a great tool and I forget myself from time to time the sheer amount of information that is available to you. The other side of the coin, of course, is that everyone now can be a so-called reporter or blogger or what have you and put information out there that is not factual. I think social media is an amazing tool, but we don't quite know how to control it yet, and by control I don't mean censuring things as much as making sure what is being reported is accurate.

RG: We are all aware of the public's seemingly insatiable appetite when it comes to the world of entertainment and the blurry lines often crossed between reality and fiction-particularly as to how it relates to the depiction of law enforcement on tv and in the movies. What are your thoughts about how your industry is portrayed, and have you or members of your department ever been asked to consult on any programs, given the level of authenticity you can bring to a project?

CSB: I don't know of anyone currently with the department who has done any consulting to this point — I myself have not. Its funny because most people seem to love the rough and tumble movies portraying law enforcement. I thought the movie Training Day was entertaining, but some officers were very offended by it and the portrayal of the cop. By the way I feel that Denzel Washington is a great actor. That said, I don't think priests are any more prone to child molestation than any other group — but because the offender or offenders are people whom the community has put a lot of faith and trust into the situation is amplified. Just like law enforcement-we have the ability to take away someones freedom or even use deadly force from time to time. With that comes a tremendous amount of responsibility so when something negative occurs even before the facts come out sometimes-its still big news.

RG: The A&E Network has had a long running program entitled "First 48" which depicts various law enforcement agencies around the country essentially having 48 hours to catch the suspects or at least have a strong idea of whom committed what. Would you be open to working with producers to bring that production to Culver City?

CSB: I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to it as long as it wasn't a disruption to the service that we provide or interfere with the job of the officers. That said, we talked earlier of how one of our CCPD officers was seen dancing on a video and it was great-it builds rapport with the community and it was organic and impromptu. I'm more in favor of that as opposed to actual productions which don't sit right right with me-That said, I'm not criticizing any of the other departments and what they do. And yes, I would be open to discuss it.

RG: Chief your department is in the “Heart of Screen-land”. The current Sony and formerly legendary MGM studios stand a mere block and change from your current location. That said, its only fair to our local Culver City readers that I ask you this question: When it comes to the ladies and gents, whom among them are your top actors?

CSB: Well Robert De Niro and Gene Hackman are certainly up there — mostly old school guys. I also am a fan of Denzel Washington. As for the ladies — Barbara Streisand and Meryl Streep are always great. I just saw a movie with the actress from Jerry Maguire, Renée Zellweger and she turned in a great performance.

RG: What are your thoughts about the old school police show Adam-12?

CSB: (The Chief points to a picture on his wall with the actors Martin Miner and Kent McCord who played the roles of veteran officer Pete Malloy and rookie partner, officer Jim Reed). They're right up there!

RG: Did you ever meet them?

CSB: I met the older gentleman, Martin Miner (who played Officer Malloy).

RG: I recall seeing Miner in at least one Twilight Zone.

CSB: Yes — it's amazing how many actors got their start in the Twilight Zone series. I have to say that Adam-12 was a huge influence on me as did a lot of those early Dragnet episodes. I graduated with the son of Steve Downey; (retired Deputy Chief LAPD) Michael P. Downing, who was the interim Chief of Police between Chiefs' Bratton and Beck. Mike and I went to Culver High and actually graduated together. His dad Steve wrote for Adam-12, Dragnet and I believe for MacGyver as well. By the way, LAPD has a virtual shrine to the guy who created Dragnet-Jack Webb, who was a huge supporter of LAPD and did a lot of good work for them.

RG: Lastly Chief, if you had a magic wand that could solve any misconceptions that the public at large may have toward law enforcement, what misconception would you do away with?

CSB: We are in this together — as in a partnership. We are on your side when it is all said and done. We are just like you in that we have parents; children, and loved ones who have homes and mortgages to pay. The vast majority of people that I have come across in this profession; and I'm coming up on forty years, are in it for the right reasons.