By Joanna Putman
Police1
LOS ANGELES — LAPD Chief Michel Moore is concerned that new pre-arraignment release protocols may leave the public vulnerable to criminals, KTLA reported.
“We are asking the court to not release individuals who pose risks to the community safety, including those with repeated instances of prior serious offenses,” Moore said in a statement.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court decided to institute the pre-arrangement release system July 18, stating that release should be based less on the arrestee’s ability to pay and more on their risk to the public. The zero-bail policy went into effect Oct. 1.
The protocols allow for those arrested on low-level, non-violent offenses to either be released at the location of arrest or booked and then released with a promise to appear at arraignment, the report states.
Those arrested for more serious crimes will receive “non-financial pre-arraignment release terms” and those arrested for capital offenses will not be eligible for release.
In a news release, Moore said he believes the zero-bail policy will compromise law enforcement’s ability to fight crime.
“Law enforcement is averse to the list of ‘book and release’ offenses because that approach offers little to no deterrence to those involved in a range of serious criminal offenses,” Moore said.