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American Morning

National Guard Call-Up Cuts Deep Into L.A. Police Department

Aired November 23, 2001 - 09:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: When the Pentagon calls up reservists to fight the war on terrorism, families and communities feel the pinch. In Los Angeles, for example, the call up is cutting deeply into the ranks of the city's police department, as Hena Cuevas tell us the story this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE GILBERT, SUPERVISOR, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT: All right, go. Hit the bricks. We'll see you.

HENA CUEVAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mike Gilbert has been a supervisor at the Los Angeles Police Department for seven years.

GILBERT: We have another unit coming or is this it?

CUEVAS: He's also a member of the California National Guard, and he has been called into active duty.

GILBERT: The wills are in order. My mind I'm trying to be as flexible and adaptable as possible because you can plan and plan and that will all fall by the wayside.

CUEVAS: He speaks from experience. This isn't the first time he has been called into service. 10 years ago, he was sent overseas for the Gulf War. For his family, the pain of seeing him leave is all too familiar.

LISA GILBERT, SISTER IN LAW: 10 years later, and, you know, again we are called on, again, to be strong and just to support him in every way we can.

CUEVAS: According to the L.A.P.D., more than 600 sworn officers and employees are in the National Guard and the Reserves, 7% of its work force. L.A.P.D. personnel on military duty are guaranteed their jobs when they get back, and usually receive up to 30 days's pay after they are called up.

(on camera): But the department is taking it a step further. Since military pay is usually less than what the L.A.P.D. pays, the department will cover the difference, making sure those serving will not be hurt financially. SHARON PAPA, LOS ANGELES POLICE: I think that alleviates a lot of their concerns that there isn't just 30-day period, they'll have support indefinitely.

CUEVAS (voice-over): Those staying behind say they're ready to work the extra hours.

MIKE MENZA, GILBERT'S SUPERVISOR: We're going to be stretched a little thin, but that's L.A.P.D. We've always been stretched thin.

CUEVAS: Support on every front. Something Sergeant Gilbert says is what they all need the most.

MIKE GILBERT: It's not very pretty, and it's not going to be very nice, and I think that we are going to definitely take some losses, but that is what we signed up for, and, of course, it is going to take everybody to pull together.

CUEVAS: Hena Cuevas, CNN, Los Angeles.

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