HAHN FOR MAYOR
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Panel Urges LAPD Reforms

JANUARY 27, 2001
THE DAILY NEWS

As members prepare to deal with a federal consent decree over the Los Angeles Police Department, the Police Commission was urged Friday to look at reforms in the discipline system and civilian oversight of the department.

Reforms are needed for the LAPD to regain the public's confidence, the commission was told at the daylong session -- held to review a report prepared by a task force formed by Inspector General Jeff Eglash recommending changes in the department.

"We are looking to move as quickly and as thoughtfully as we can to implement reforms because of the consent decree and what others are recommending," Police Commission Chairman Gerald Chaleff said. "These are issues that can't be ignored."

City Attorney James Hahn, who is a candidate for mayor, said a prime area for change is officers' discipline. He said the city needs to eliminate Board of Rights disciplinary procedures.

"It is a unique and arcane procedure," Hahn said, adding that the process is not trusted either by the public or officers.

Instead, he said he would like to see a system modeled after the civil service system, with hearing officers making recommendations that are subject to appeal.

"Too many of our commanders and captains are tied up in Board of Rights hearings and aren't able to do their job," Hahn said. "One of the problems we heard out of Rampart was the lack of supervision."

The Rampart Division corruption case, which partly prompted the consent decree, involved allegations that members of the anti-gang unit assaulted suspects, planted evidence or lied in court to win convictions.

Hahn's proposal, however, received a cool reception from a Los Angeles Police Protective League director.

"One of the problems we have now is the amount of time it takes," director Cliff Ruff said. "They are talking about taking away someone's pay when he hasn't been convicted of anything."

Hahn and Councilwoman Laura Chick also said they supported the concept of having at least one police commissioner serve on a full-time basis.

"Having a full-time police commissioner would enable that person to focus on a lot of time-consuming matters that a part-time commission can't do," Hahn said. "It would elevate that position to one of stature equal to the chief."

Hahn said, however, that the person would not be involved in administrative matters in competition with the chief, but to make sure there is an independent analysis of the department.

Chick, a candidate for city controller in the April election, said she would support going beyond that -- possibly including having all five commissioners serve full time, as is the case with the Board of Public Works.

"It will cost us some money," Chick said. "But it won't cost us the tens of millions in dollars we are facing now."

The panel's recommendations will be submitted to a special City Council Committee on Police Reforms that is scheduled to hold its first meeting Monday.