Chief of Police to Mete Out Discipline

Los Angeles: In addition to a report on the implementation of all 23 recommendations for institutional reform, today, the Board of Police Commissioners was presented with the details of the discipline to be meted out by the Chief of Police for misconduct committed on May 1, 2007.

The personnel complaint investigation alone represented over 12,000 hours of work and was the most exhaustive investigation in Department history.  Many sworn and civilian personnel of all ranks completed witness and complainant interviews, a detailed analysis of video tape and still photography, and numerous updates and comprehensive reports.

Twenty-nine named officers were charged with one or more acts or omissions, for a combined total of 80 allegations.  The Chief of Police sustained 31 allegations against 15 officers.  Among the officers disciplined, three will also receive a reduction in paygrade and four will be transferred from Metropolitan Division.   

Under California Law, public disclosure of discipline as it pertains to specific peace officers, is prohibited.  To the extent permitted by law and in the spirit of transparency the following details were disclosed:

3 Officers are to receive Official Reprimands
5 Officers are to receive suspensions and loss of pay for 3 days
2 Officers are to receive suspensions and loss of pay for 5 days
1 Officer is to receive a suspensions and loss of pay for 10 days
4 Officers have been recommended for termination

Originally presented to the Board of Police Commissioners on October 7, 2007, Police Administrator Gerald Chaleff and Deputy Chief Sandy Jo MacAuthur discussed the full implementation of all 23 recommendations of the report, An Examination of May Day 2007.  The 23 recommendations in the five categories of Policy, Planning, Command, Training, and Auditing were not only fully implemented, but developed into a schedule of recurring audits and training.

Among the most significant reforms are the creation of the Incident Management and Training Bureau, the funding and deployment of a Deputy Chief to oversee that command, annual reviews of related policies, regular and ongoing training, standardized planning and reporting, command oversight and audits.      

Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco stated, "I commend the Chief and all of the staff who worked literally thousands of hours on this investigation.  Critical self-analysis is very difficult on any level and I feel that everyone involved in this incident approached it with honesty and fairness.  The 2007 MacArthur Park incident was a big lesson for the LAPD to learn, and that is exactly what happened.  The entire Department is now moving forward in a better direction after that lesson. We will continue to monitor the complaints process and to evaluate continuing police reform arising from the MacArthur Park incident. What we have seen thus far is encouraging for best police practices and improved community relations in our City."

Additional information about the MacArthur Park Incident is available at

www.LAPDonline.org.

http://www.lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/Final_Report.pdf

http://www.lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/FINAL_REPORT_SPANISH_10.20.07.pdf

Comments

[ron]

I wonder how much this will wind up costing the tax payer? What city services will have to be elimated or the fee will have to be raised to pay for this?? I hope that everyone has learned a lesson from this.

[NDynamite]

I did not see any of the command staff mentioned. In fact, most of the Command Staff there that day, all still have their same jobs and the Captain of Metro was promoted. Meanwhile, their officers, the ones they supposedly lead, are taking the fall. The Chief has just guaranteed a huge settlement for these officers. Just like Hatfield got, just like Liddy, Ortiz. Nice leadership guys, fail to train them, fail to lead them, then sell them down the river because it is politically correct. The next time they want a street or park cleared during an unlawful assembly I recommend officers let all the demonstrators do what they want. The Department will burn you for doing your job. Gotcha is still alive and well.

[Jim Reed]

THE CHIEF FINDS FOUR GUILTY AND RECOMMENDS TERMINATION

This is the message that he has published to the world via the Los Angeles Times, KFWB news and other news outlets. His Command Staff which will sit on the Board of Rights has therefore been given direct orders to find the four guilty or face ending of their careers.

If you read all the official reports on the incident, one thing is clear. LAPD failed its officers by not providing training or Incident leadership which resulted in the May Day fiasco.

I am sure the four officers will be terminated but will sue to regain their jobs. While this will take years to accomplish, the City of Los Angeles will be liable for back pay, attorney costs, punitive damages in the multi million dollar range. The tax payers will have to foot this bill.

Once reinstated, due to the toll on them, they will probably be retired on a medical pension that pays tax free money for the rest of their lives.

How sad. Tax payers loose due to the failure of Command Staff to be prepaired for the May Day Incident.

[Lil Moe]

OK, it looked really bad. Maybe the COPS over did it a bit. BUT if they dont go in there and show who's in charge the people see the weakness and take advantage. Look at the Lakers finals several years ago Police cars burned, setting fires in middle of the streets, throwing things at the COPS and not to mention all the looting. Yes I dont agree the Officers might have been a little rough but Chief punish them if they deserve it, kick them out of Metro and send them to some BS job inside the building. That should hurt them enough!