| Dennis Zine | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 3rd district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Laura N. Chick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1947 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Decline to State (formerly Republican) |
| Spouse(s) | Divorced |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Website | http://www.lacity.org/council/cd3/ |
Dennis Phillip Zine (born August 1, 1947) is an American politician. He is currently serving on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 3rd district. He was elected to City Council in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 and 2009. He was a member of the Republican Party but changed his registration to Decline to State in 2011[1][2].
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He grew up in Hollywood, California, the son of Lebanese immigrants. His father, Phillip, was a gardener and his mother, Alice, was a homemaker. He attended Notre Dame High School, class of 1966. He attended a Cal State, graduating in 1970.
Zine was a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department for over 28 years. He was first elected to public office in 1997 to represent Valley interests on the elected Charter Reform Commission where he served as Vice Chairman. After his election to the City Council, he has expanded his government service role as the President of the Independent Cities Association (ICA), as the City's representative with the National League of Cities serving as a member of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the National Immigration Task Force, and as a member of the League of California Cities Board of Directors. Councilman Zine is also a member of the Los Angeles County Judicial Procedures Commission. He was one of two Republican Party members of the City Council until he changed his registration to Decline to State in 2011[1][2]. The Los Angeles Times reported "He said he did so because he's tired of the 'gridlock' of partisan politics and because his liberal positions on gay marriage and other social issues are out of line with traditional Republican views."[1]
In February 2008, Zine proposed an anti-paparazzi "Personal Safety Law" for Los Angeles to ensure a safety zone for celebrities against photographers. The measure was in direct response to several incidents in which celebrities were hindered from entering medical facilities or caught in pursuits with paparazzi.
| Dennis Zine | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Police Department | |
| Born August 1, 1947 | |
| Place of birth | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Service branch | United States |
| Years of service | Police Officer: 1969 – 1997 Reserve Officer: 2001 – Present |
| Rank | Sworn in as an Officer – 1969 – Police Officer 3 – Sergeant I – Sergeant II |
| Awards | – 1992 Civil Disturbance Ribbon California Highway Patrol, Police Officer of the Year – 1992 |
| Relations | Divorced |
| Other work | Elected Official/Politician |
Councilman Zine is a former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant and a current reserve officer. He worked Valley Traffic Detail and served as liaison for Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker in the aftermath of the 1992 riots. He was honored as officer of the year by the California Highway Patrol. He has been elected three times to the Board of Directors of the Police Protective League, representing the 9,100 rank and file officers.
Councilman Zine is a member of the Guardians and has served on the Executive Committee at the Jewish Home for the Aging. For over 10 years he has been an active member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and has served on the Board of Directors of Haven Hills Battered Women's Shelter.
Zine is divorced with two sons. Zine has been criticized for failing to recuse himself with votes that conflict with his personal relationship with lobbyist Veronica Becerra.[3]
His son Eric Zine is a commercial pilot, flight instructor, and race pilot based at Van Nuys Airport, who placed second in the Biplane Silver division of the 2011 National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. His other son Chris is a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Laura N. Chick |
Los Angeles City Councilman 3rd district July 1, 2001 – present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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