Local police take precautions
Some regional police forces have grounded their motorcycle units as a precaution while the manhunt for an ex-Los Angeles Police Department officer suspected of targeting law enforcement personnel continues. But Newport-Mesa police departments said Thursday that they haven’t seen the need to take such a measure.
However, an Irvine police spokeswoman said her department is following the same protocols as the LAPD, mainly keeping officers off motorcycles so they are not as visible.
Authorities said Christopher Jordan Dorner, 33, a suspect in three murders, including two in Irvine, is targeting police officers in retaliation for being fired from the LAPD in 2009.
“At this time we are being vigilant and have any officers … on extra alert,” said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Zack Hoferitza. “We haven’t grounded any of our motor units yet.”
He said there is a concern, however, and the department will be listening for developments in the case.
Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe wrote in an email that Newport’s motorcycle officers are “working in their regular capacity in the field.”
Dorner is suspected of shooting three Riverside police officers early Thursday morning, killing one. After describing Dorner’s actions as an ambush, a Riverside police lieutenant told the Los Angeles Times that the department felt it was under attack.
Authorities have cited an online manifesto by Dorner that claims he will undertake “unconventional and asymmetrical warfare” against on- and off-duty LAPD personnel and their families. He specifically mentions retired LAPD Capt. Randy Quan, father of Monica Quan, a 28-year-old Cal State Fullerton assistant basketball coach Dorner is suspected of killing Sunday at her Irvine condominium complex.
Dorner is also suspected in the slaying of Quan’s fiance, Keith Lawrence, 27.
The Orange County coroner’s office reported Wednesday that Quan and Lawrence died of multiple gunshot wounds, but did not elaborate on the number of times they were shot and where they were wounded.
Twitter: @bradleyzint
