LAFD Captain Arrested in Drug Sting Wasn't Stationed in Highland Park

The Los Angeles Fire Department captainfrom an undercover police officer near Avenue 61 and North Figueroa Street last Wednesday was not assigned to Highland Park's fire station 12, according to LAFD spokesman Jamie Moore.

Moore said that Capt. Matthew Phillipsen--who was arrested a block away from fire station 12 while allegedly attempting to buy seven bags of heroin from an undercover LAPD officer--was off duty at the time and was not part of fire station 12's crew.

"We're not going to disclose which station he was assigned to, but he wasn't assigned to station 12," Moore said.

LAFD's professional standards division has opened an investigation into Phillipsen's actions, Moore said.

"There's a certain degree of integrity in our actions that's required when we are off duty, as well," Moore said. "They've opened an administrative investigation to determine what wrong doing was done."

Moore said that as a result of the arrest, Phillipsen has been placed on "paid administrative leave" while LAFD conducts its administrative investigation.

"No disciplinary action has come to him, out of ensuring that his rights are followed," Moore said.

Phillipsen is currently free on $10,000 bail.

(A previous Patch story incorrectly identified the Captain as Mike Phillipsed.)