LA
Cops
Union
Suspects
High-Level
Corruption,
Calls
for
Outside
Investigator
2/25/00
For the first time in its history, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents approximately 9,500 LA police officers, has called for an independent investigation of the growing LAPD corruption scandal. As the scandal continues to grow, it is becoming apparent to many that despite the Mayor's and police department's insistence, only an independent review can credibly address the issues involved. Last week, members of the city council stated that the expected liability stemming from the beatings, set-ups and shootings would preclude virtually any new spending initiatives. This week, a motion was raised in the council to commission an independent body to conduct an investigation. "The police union never before has called for civilian oversight," Geoffrey Garfield, a union spokesperson told reporters. "But this scandal is so deep that the situation begs for a third-party and active participation to take part in this." This week, Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs introduced a motion to establish an independent commission to oversee an investigation. On Tuesday, the council rejected the motion by a vote of 9-6. Councilman Wachs, however, is confident that the matter will be reconsidered. Greg Nelson, spokesman for Mr. Wachs, told The Week Online that an independent investigation is both imminent and imperative. "We feel that there are a number of council members who ultimately want (an outside investigation), but that they were simply not ready to vote to form one at this moment. It will happen, eventually. "The question -- and this is something that (Wachs) has been asking for weeks -- is 'how in the world did all of this happen without the knowledge of all of the brass? Did they really not know (about the rampant corruption)? If not, how is that possible? And, if they did know, why was a blind eye was turned?' But despite having been asked repeatedly, these questions have yet to be addressed, and therefore we believe that they cannot be answered to satisfaction except by an independent, civilian body." On Thursday (2/24) the FBI indicated that it would likely get involved in the investigation.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
