AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS RECOGNIZED AT INGLEWOOD/AIRPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE POLICE AND FIRE APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

(Los Angeles, California – January 18, 2012)  Los Angeles Airport Police Sergeants Masis Sossikian and Dennis Lau, and Airport Police Officer Pedro Uesugui -- all assigned to the Los Angeles Airport Police Critical Infrastructure & Protection Unit – will be honored today at Inglewood’s Annual Police & Fire Appreciation Day Luncheon at the Proud Bird Restaurant in Los Angeles. 

            Co-hosted by the Inglewood/Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Inglewood, the Police and Fire Appreciation Day event recognizes special achievements and accomplishments of the men and women, who serve and protect our community. 

            Sgt. Sossikian, with 13½ years on the Airport Police force; Sgt. Lau with 10 years; and Officer Uesugui, with eight years, are being recognized for planning, programming, and execution of LAWA’s new Digital Trunked Radio, License Plate Recognition, and new In-Car Video systems.  Over the course of these projects, these officers displayed leadership, talent and dedication while working with LAWA’s Information Management and Technology Group, vendors and members of every rank of Airport Police Division, to bring these projects to fruition.  These projects have a public-safety benefit for travelers, visitors and workers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and contribute to establishing Los Angeles Airport Police as one of the leading agencies in law-enforcement technology and capabilities.

            Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Michael Hyams said, “Collectively, Airport Police Officers Sossikian, Lau and Uesugui’s commitment and ability to work as a seamless team together and with other divisions contributed to the great result of a dynamic product for the betterment of Airport Police patrol functions.  These systems will enhance the ability of officers to provide another layer of security protection for the traveling public, the aviation community at LAX, and in the surrounding area.”   

Los Angeles Airport Police is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County with more than 1,100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel.  Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates three airports in Southern California : Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (general aviation).