Police Tipsters

Dashing here and there, Det. Corrie Malinka filled water glasses and brought napkins to a customer who asked for more.

Nearby, Lt. Rick Papke stood between tables, peering anxiously at noontime diners to see if anything was needed.

The LAPD Foothill Division investigator and lieutenant are more accustomed to gathering evidence and capturing criminals. But Tuesday, both donned aprons and waited on tables at the Acapulco restaurant in Sun Valley, along with more than 50 of their colleagues, to raise money for an anti-gang youth program.

“We’re waiting to see what the service is like,” said John Murphy, a commissioner of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, looking up from his chicken tostada.

Up walked Malinka, replacing an empty bowl with one brimming with tortilla chips.

“So far, so good,” said Murphy’s lunch companion and fellow commissioner, Richard Brand, looking up from his beef tostada.

The Tip-a-Cop event benefited Foothill’s Jeopardy program through donations given to LAPD volunteer wait staff as tips. A citywide program that targets high-risk youths, Jeopardy offers mentoring, after-school activities, counseling and remedial education. Every year, Foothill’s program serves about 125 youths and their families.

Working two-hour shifts, the off-duty officers, detectives and their supervisors also bused tables. “We’ll have this spiffed up in a second,” said Capt. Diljeet Singh as he wiped crumbs and pushed in chairs.

To be sure, there were glitches among the neophyte waiters.

“Balancing trays, that was tough,” said Det. Miles Taylor, who is more accustomed to handling murder cases. “I dropped one tray with some chips and things on it, but I didn’t break it.”

By afternoon there were signs that the event, which continued until 10 p.m., would be a success. Lunchtime business alone was up more than 20% over a typical Tuesday, restaurant employees said.

After lunch, court commissioner Brand said, “Service was excellent. Food was good. Tip’s on the table for the regular waiter.

“And we have a little something for Jeopardy,” he said, of the envelope he and Murphy were about to turn in.