Lancaster swears in new officers and highlights intelligence crime center using ShotSpotter and camera networks
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Summary
Council swore in four new Lancaster Police officers and heard a Police Department presentation on its Intelligence Crime Center, which officials credited with helping detect shootings and identifying suspects via tools including ShotSpotter and camera/FLOC systems.
Lancaster City used its council meeting to swear in four new police officers and to showcase the Lancaster Police Department’s Intelligence Crime Center (ICC), which officials said has helped investigators locate suspects and connect evidence in shootings, robberies and other serious crimes.
Council members administered or participated in the swearing-in and pinning ceremony for Officer David Lara, Officer Adriana/Adrianna Aguilar, Officer Kayla Wainwright and Officer Max D’Addario. Police officials read brief résumés for each officer and family members pinned badges for photos.
After the ceremony, the police chief delivered a detailed presentation on the ICC, which the department said began in 2024. The chief described several cases the center assisted with: a park shooting detected by ShotSpotter that resulted in the identification and arrest of a suspect after camera and license‑plate searches; a commercial robbery where analysts used limited video and Flock vehicle‑recognition tools to identify and locate a stolen vehicle and suspects; and a homicide/stabbing investigation where combined camera footage and Flock data led investigators to an arrest.
The chief told the council the ICC receives real‑time ShotSpotter notifications (the department stated an accuracy rate of about "96, 97%" in the meeting transcript) and can pull city camera and third‑party Flock footage to identify vehicles and persons of interest. The department also said the ICC conducts community surveys after incidents and will pursue enforcement or civil orders against problem properties when appropriate.
Council members asked whether residents are mistaking gunfire for fireworks; the chief agreed public education could help and suggested outreach via the city’s Outlook magazine or other channels.
Council and staff framed the ICC as an investigative support unit that shares information with partner agencies including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and federal partners when appropriate. The chief said the ICC helped achieve a high clearance rate on city homicides in 2024 and emphasized the department’s intent to balance technology use with community engagement.
Next steps: staff and police indicated they will look at public‑education options about ShotSpotter notifications and continue ICC operations; no new policy or contract was voted on at the meeting.
