CONTACT:     Sgt. Karla I. Ortiz 
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LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE COMMUNICATIONS INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE DENISE MINOR RECOGNIZED BY WESTCHESTER ELKS LODGE 

(Los Angeles, California – March 6, 2013)  Los Angeles Airport Police Communications Information Representative (CIR) Denise Minor, a 4-year veteran assigned to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Communications Unit since April 2008, was recognized on March 5, 2013 at Westchester Elks Lodge Law Enforcement Night.    
Minor was hired by Airport Police as a Communications Information Representative III in April 2008.  Over the past four years, she has become known as a dispatcher with a great attitude, and someone who is always happy.  Her supervisor, Maria I. Peraza said, “Denise has volunteered several times to cover shifts at the last minute, making it easier for supervisors to cover the shifts, as easier for co-workers since they don’t have to be forced to stay.”    
The job of a dispatcher can be very stressful; dispatchers at LAWA are required to monitor approximately 4 different frequencies including Los Angeles Airport Police Officers, Los Angeles Airport Traffic and Security, Van Nuys Airport and the Los Angeles Police Department.  There are about a hundred (100) officers on any given day that are continuously monitored by the Communications Unit including those at Van Nuys Airport, LAX Patrol, Traffic and Security, Motor Unit, K-9 Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Operation Safe Entry and several other specialized units.  Despite this stressful environment, Minor continues to maintain a professional and a positive attitude.  She also surprises co-workers with baked goods without expecting anything in return.   
CIR Minor also takes a personal interest when helping passengers calling for help, often using her own resources to ensure that property gets back to its rightful owner.  One particular instance involved a distraught husband looking for his elderly wife who suffered from dementia and who had been missing for several hours.  Minor stayed on the phone with the husband and gathered all the necessary information to help Airport Police Officers locate his wife.   Once Airport Police Officers found the woman, Minor asked officers to bring her to Communications Unit where Minor made sure she had something to eat and drink.  With the approval of the husband, Minor then made arrangement to book the couple a hotel room for the night, and made sure they got there safely.  
Minor not only performs her job with dedication, generosity, concern for the well-being of others, passion and joy, but she exemplifies the Airport Police mission and values to treat all persons with respect, dignity and put service before self. 
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.  Los Angeles Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates three airports in Southern California:  LAX, LA/Ontario International (ONT), and Van Nuys (general aviation).