Blog

I’m guessing that at some point in of our lives, particularly in those years dedicated to higher education, we have all heard the idea that the smartest people are the ones who can take complicated topics and distill them down into something bite-sized and manageable.  But the problem is that, particularly when you are dealing with human behavior, it is impossible to simplify a situation in any kind of meaningful way. Social workers, psychologists, anyone working in the social services can all tell you that

SMPD Vision Statement: We endeavor to be law enforcement’s benchmark for excellence as we seek to eliminate crime and social disorder in collaboration with our community partners.   Historically, very few members of the Santa Monica community have wanted to know how the sausage is made.  They don’t feel comfortable approaching our doors, or they simply don’t want to take the time to come into the department to see what we do and how we do it.  Many in our community never meet the people who

By: Sergeant Erika Aklufi Throughout the turbulence and social upheaval of the past 18 months, a scant few members of our community have had the opportunity to hear what Police Reform means to the officers who serve them.  The din of the national narrative about law enforcement has effectively drowned out our community’s voices.  What they would learn is that the sworn members of the SMPD believe that reform is progress, it is learning and teaching, it is listening and responding to calls for service