LAPD's Mission

“As police officers, we protect the sacred texts of the great religions of the world, and Islam is a great, peaceful religion of the world.”

Michael Downing is the head of LAPD's Counter Terrorism Unit. I first encountered Downing in 2012 at a town hall on Sharia held at the Islamic Center of Orange County, which was hosted by Muzammil Siddiqi, head imam of the mosque and ex-president of the Islamic Society of North America, a Muslim Brotherhood front group. Just after the event concluded, I had a chance to talk with Downing, at which time I told him that in 1992, Siddiqi had hosted the convicted terrorist, the so-called Blind Sheikh, Omar Abdelrahman at that same mosque and had translated in real time Abdelrahman's sermon on violent jihad. Downing's response to me was "Well, you know, Gary, some people change over time."

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/town-hall-at-islamic-center-of-orange.html

With that as background, I link the below report on Downing's latest appearance at the Islamic Center of Granada Hills, California with head of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam Al Marayati..

http://www.postperiodical.com/islamic-center-reaching-out-to-community/

"Both sides have seen the importance of communication and a positive working relationship. Two years ago, a 19-year-old Muslim man was killed by police during a pursuit in Northridge. The incident led to accusations of ethnic prejudice.

“At that time, we tried to help calm down the community because we understood the situation and understood the role of LAPD. Luckily since then, we haven’t had any problems,” said Manzar Qureshi, secretary for the Islamic Center."

Here is what happened:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/04/muslims-claim-ethnic-prejudice-in-lapd-killing-of-young-muslim-who-led-them-on-chase-and-repeatedly

As I have said before, I have no problem with law enforcement engaging in outreach to the Muslim community in an effort to improve intelligence and make contacts. They can also foster good relations with decent, law abiding Muslims. However, Downing has a habit of making bizarre statements and seems to have a hostility for those in the public genuinely concerned about Islamic extremism and willing to speak out about it. In addition, his willingness to collaborate with figures such as Siddiqi and Marayati is troubling.