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.
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