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In 1981, Sgt. Mitch was the only recruit officer in the police academy
to stand up against LAPD's practice of purposely injuring women recruits
during "combat wrestling", to prevent them from graduating.
In 1983, Sgt. Mitch co-founded the first West Coast SHOMRIM SOCIETY for Jewish law enforcement officers.
In 1984, when an African-American family moved into
an all white section of LAPD's Pacific Area and were
targeted by the "KKK," Sgt. Mitch was the
only officer to provide them protection.
In 1985, Sgt. Mitch helped organize the LAPD’s first targeted recruitment from the City’s Asian community.
In 1985, when officers in the now infamous LAPD
Rampart Division began beating and falsely arresting
Latino men, Sgt. Mitch was the first and only officer
to voluntarily come forward to stop the abuse.
In 1986, Sgt. Mitch was the only police officer to stand up to Sgt. Stacey Koon (of the
Rodney King beating) to stop the unlawful beatings of African-Americans by LAPD officers.
In 1987, Sgt. Mitch became the first LAPD officer
to draft a proposal for the Chief of Police recommending
implementation of a policy prohibiting discrimination
based upon sexual orientation.
In 1988, after LAPD officers killed a man who reached into his pocket for
his "I am deaf and mute" card, Sgt. Mitch organized the first LAPD outreach to the deaf community.
In 1988, Sgt. Mitch met with the President of the
L.A. Police Commission, a City Councilman, and the
Mayor, becoming the first "out" gay officer
in LAPD's history.
Since 1988, Sgt. Mitch has worked tirelessly to
improve the relationship between law enforcement and
the LGBT communities. Sgt. Mitch continues to be the only LAPD officer who
works full time without any compensation assisting communities and officers who face harassment and discrimination.
In 1988, Sgt. Mitch founded the first So. California formal LGBT organization for law enforcement and emergency response personnel, G.O.A.L. (Gay Officers Action League), West Coast chapter, to provide a confidential environment of network and support for hundreds of police, sheriff’s, corrections, lifeguards, paramedics and firefighters, which has saved over 100 LGBT officers from suicide and/or losing their careers.
In 1989, Sgt. Mitch presented the first National
Litigation Panel, bringing together law enforcement
and former military greats, to challenge the exclusionary
policy of the U.S. Armed Forces.
In 1973, Sgt. Mitch was a co-founding member of the Culver City Police Explorer Program, graduating from the L.A. County Sheriff's Explorer Academy in 1974.
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