Combined LAPD Commanding Officer Leadership with Sports and Live Entertainment Fan Safety
February 10, 2022 — Bellevue, WA — Today, Lassen Peak announces the appointment of Mike Downing to its advisory committee. Mr. Downing serves as the Chief Security Officer of Oak View Group (OVG), an American global advisory, development and investment company for sports and live entertainment industries. Prior to OVG, Deputy Chief Downing completed a 30-year career with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). While at LAPD, he reached the department’s highest levels, including his roles as Commanding Officer, Deputy Chief, and Interim Chief of Police.
Deputy Chief Downing led the five operational divisions within LAPD: Major Crimes, Emergency Services Divisions, Metropolitan Division, Air Support Division, Emergency Operations Division and oversaw the operations surrounding Anti-Terrorism Intelligence, Criminal Investigative, Organized Crime, Surveillance, Hazardous Devices, LAX Bomb K-9, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Mounted Unit, Dive Teams, Emergency Preparedness and Response. Recognized as a global leader on police leadership methodology, he also worked with the United States Department of Justice and State Department, traveling throughout multiple continents to transition large national police organizations into democratic civilian policing models and overlay counter-terrorism enterprises on top of cities.
Lassen Peak’s advisory committee consists of nationally recognized experts to address critically important issues such as civil rights, law enforcement policy and procedure, and key community perspectives as it relates to the introduction of Lassen Peak’s upcoming products. The committee will provide insight and guidance into the methods and application of Lassen Peak’s ground-breaking concealed weapon detection technology throughout its development, currently targeted for introduction to law enforcement departments and agencies in 2023.
Deputy Chief Downing states, “Lassen Peak technology signifies the important transition away from physical contact used in fundamental public safety procedures. By applying safe technology from a distance to clear a suspect of dangerous concealed objects, both officers and citizens gain an important procedural advancement that is sure to improve relations and reduce potentially dangerous encounters.”
Lassen Peak Chairman of the Board and CEO, Hatch Graham, states “Mike is arguably one of the top public safety experts around the globe. His expertise combines the law enforcement leadership attained within one of the most recognized metropolitan police departments in America with the fan safety strategies required for state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venues.”
Lassen Peak is developing handheld technology that will allow highly accurate weapon detection to be conducted anywhere in the field, at a reasonably safe distance, and without physical contact – all while providing safeguards that protect civil rights and privacy, and while offering a path to a greater level of accountability than today’s manual concealed weapons searches.
