For Immediate Release
Contact:
Eric Rose (805) 624-0572 or
Paul Haney (626) 755-4759
Los Angeles, June 12, 2009 – On Monday, June 15th, a hearing is set to consider the future of the federal consent decree under which the LAPD has operated for eight years. In anticipation of the hearing, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Roybal Federal Building, Paul M. Weber, President of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, issued the following statement:
"We are pleased that the city and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have filed a motion to terminate the original consent decree issued by the Federal District Court, and transfer the primary oversight of the Los Angeles Police Department back to the Police Commission and Office of the Inspector General. The Department has been in compliance with 95% of the decree requirements for five years, while officers have been pulled off the streets to perform auditing tasks and the city has continued to pay millions of dollars to the federal monitor. The Department's outstanding performance under the decree requirements and the current budget crisis support the conclusion that it is time to end the decree once and for all."
"Under the proposed transition agreement, the Inspector General's office, in consultation with the DOJ, would review and make recommendations regarding the continuation of TEAMS II, policies to prohibit "biased policing," and the implementation of financial disclosure. While we support the motion to terminate the decree, we object to some of the provisions in the transition agreement, especially as they relate to our legal rights. We will be addressing the following concerns in Federal District Court during proceedings on the motion:"
1) Any provision which would deny the League the legal right and standing to enforce the terms of the transition agreement;
2) Any provision regarding financial disclosure that ignores the League's pending lawsuit challenging the implementation of Special Order No. 20 and any reevaluation of the order due to the lawsuit;
3) Any provision allowing the DOJ unlimited access to the confidential information of our officers; and
4) Any provision which would make the Department-wide deployment of in-car video systems not a priority of available funding.
"With the city's financial resources stretched to the limit right now, the money that is currently being paid to the federal monitor needs to be made available to the Department. We feel it is in the best interests of the Department, city and the residents of Los Angeles to end the decree immediately."
About the LAPPL Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,800 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com.
