This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

First Day on the Job Is No Vacation for Devonshire Division's New Captain

Commanding officer Capt. Kris Pitcher is a 24-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran.

The new commanding officer of the LAPD's Devonshire Division thought he'd take a little vacation before starting his new assignment.

Capt. Kris Pitcher didn't realize how little.

There were two decomposing bodies and a manhunt with which to deal. Bye-bye vacation.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He arrived from the Foothill and North Hollywood patrol to oversee the investigation of the trash-bin bodies found in the 20400 block of Lassen Street.

Pitcher said he has been working practically 24/7 since the grisly discovery.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Pitcher, a 24-year law enforcement officer who was raised here in the Valley, is a graduate of Reseda High School, Cal State Northridge and the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

He spent the last five years as the commanding officer investigating officer-involved shootings and critical use-of-force complaints. He plans to use his experience to reduce crime and raise the quality of life for residents and businesses in the Devonshire area.

Devonshire station patrols Chatsworth and neighborhoods west of the San Diego (405) Freeway, Roscoe Boulevard to the south, the Los Angeles County line on the west and the foothills to the north.

Pitcher's sparsely decorated office showcases photographs, neatly lining the walls, of scenes from his past five years, including the shoot-out that took the life of Randal Simmons, the first LAPD S.W.A.T officer to die in the line of duty, and another photo of two police officers wounded in a gun battle.

Pitcher, 48, is a husband and father of two teens active in track and soccer. He's replacing retiring Capt. Sean Kane.

And he said his focus will be on operational effectiveness to produce results. “We’ll be looking at examining the systems, the controls, the feedback and way things are done to produce public safety here,” he said. “I will be bringing in more accountability (into the field).

Translated, that means residents and business owners will hopefully have a better quality-of-life as a result of a reduction in crime.

Pitcher foresees more community outreach. His department will meet with businesses and community groups to learn what’s important to their particular neighborhoods.

Officers will be assigned a mission and be held accountable to produce results.

He said, as with the arrival of any new supervisor, employees need time to adjust to changes.

Pitcher praised Devonshire officers and said he looks forward to their input as to the effectiveness of his plan, which he calls fluid and  subject to change as needed.

Devonshire station is planning three Town Hall meetings for the next year.

The first public meeting will be held 7 tonight at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. Snacks and refreshments will be served and prizes awarded.

"We want residents and business owners to come hear what we are doing and for them to tell us what they need. Think of it as a ‘State of the Community’ event," Pitcher said.

The theme of tonight’s meeting is limiting property crimes, since they represent 93 percent of crime in the Devonshire area. Officers will concentrate on the “Hardening the Target” -- making it harder for the criminal to succeed.

Officers will discuss the major burglary and theft situations and how residents can “Hide it, lock it and keep it.”

“They will be showing how to harden the target by hiding valuable possessions, locking them up and consequently deterring crime... ," Pitcher said.

Criminals are breaking into cars, businesses and homes. They are gaining access through open windows, he said.

Pitcher said his team is dealing with “knock-knock" burglars. If no one answers the door, the criminal knows no one is at home and finds a way to get inside.

As the commanding officer of the entire division, Pitcher said his day mostly consists of meetings upon meetings.

He’s already met with church leaders in his first few days on the job and plans to meet with Neighborhood Watch block captains in their homes to say “Hi.” He also plans to hit the streets with some of his officers.

“Every day is different,” Pitcher said. “My job is to make sure everything proceeds forward in the Division with my personnel and crime stats and the quality of life.”

Each neighborhood in Devonshire has different quality-of-life issues, and Pitcher said his department will address them.

“We will work with what we have and if we face limitations or changes we will work through them and still enhance what we produce, which is public safety,” he said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.