Following the discovery and disclosure of the Rampart Area Corruption Incident by the Los Angeles Police Department, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) notified the City of Los Angeles that it intended to file a civil suit alleging that the Department was engaging in a pattern or practice of excessive force, false arrests, and unreasonable searches and seizures.
When the Department satisfied the Consent Decree requirements, the Consent Decree was officially lifted. Since that time, CPPB has assumed various responsibilities and organization structures which evolved into its current iteration.
In June 2010, the Department activated the Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing (SACP). Following a Department reorganization in October 2015, the SACP was deactivated and the Office of Constitutional Policing and Policy (OCPP) was activated as a direct report to the Chief of Police. In August 2025, following another Department reorganization, the OCPP was deactivated, and the Constitutional Policing and Policy Bureau (CPPB) was activated.
THE MISSION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING AND POLICY BUREAU
The CPPB’s priority is to assist Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD or Department) personnel by supporting effective, constitutional policing through policies, procedures, analysis, advice, guidance, and other essential information. To further enhance the mission, CPPB oversees the Risk Management Legal Affairs Group (RMLAG), Risk Management Legal Affairs Division (RMLAD), Strategic Planning and Policies Division (SPPD), and Audit Division (AD).
Strategic Planning and Policies Division’s primary mission includes developing policies and procedures, analyzing local, state, and federal legislation, and managing all Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) that are entered into by the Department. Additionally, SPPD creates objectives and initiatives to assist the Department in the accomplishment of the Department’s Strategic Plan. Furthermore, the Grants Section of SPPD is responsible for approving grant expenditures, coordinating payment invoices, and ensuring timely processing of all grant applications.
Audit Division was established to conduct Department audits which identify issues, recommend improvements, and promote accountability. This will safeguard Department personnel and the City of Los Angeles against lawsuits and claims when they arise and proactively mitigate risks.
Risk Management and Legal Affairs Division’s mission is to develop strategies to help reduce physical, organizational, and financial risks associated with the police-related activities through legal analysis and policy development. Additionally, RMLAD assists branches within the city to assist in reducing and preventing litigations and provide investigative support to the Office of the City Attorney (CA). Risk Management and Legal Affairs Division works in conjunction with the CA’s Office to responds to civil discovery requests, criminal and civil motions, and provides timely police litigation information to the Department Risk Manager (DRM). The DRM reviews and provides recommendations to the Risk Management Executive Committee (RMEC), which is responsible for reviewing employee performance to recommend which non-disciplinary steps can be taken to address any performance, behavioral, or other managerial concerns.
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Leads the development of the LAPD’s policies and procedures;
· Manages the Department’s legal affairs and risk management initiatives;
· Administers internal auditing and compliance programs;
· Communicates with and advises the Chief of Police;
· Provides legal and policy advice to various boards (e.g., Internal Affairs investigations, and other complex personnel matters);
· Serves as the Department Risk Manager;
· Chairs the Risk Management Executive Committee;
· Provides leadership and oversight for subordinate commands;
· Build awareness, solutions, and leadership for racial justice by collaborating and generating transformative ideas, information, and experiences; and,
· Creates, promotes, and fosters cultural competency in policing to safeguard every employee and community members’ rights.
SPECIAL DUTIES
· Ethics support staff for the Ethics Coordinator for the Department;
· Academic Research and Partnerships Coordinator;
· Adjudication of complaints involving high-level command staff or other instances where chain of command conflicts of interest arises;
· Department-wide Gang Enforcement Detail Extension and Financial Disclosure Coordinator;
· Conduct audits and inspections as directed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners;
· Reviews all new directives and orders to assess risk and auditing/inspecting responsibility; and,
· Prepares periodic reports to the Police Commission, Chief of Police, and the Directors of Offices.