Message to Other Police Agencies : Ticket Issue Sent ‘Shock Waves’--Van de Kamp

Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp on Thursday condemned the practice of ticket-fixing by San Diego Police Chief Bill Kolender and said he believes that similar conduct may have been curbed in other California cities because of the humiliation suffered by local police officials.

“I do think, though, that what has happened here in San Diego has to send shock waves throughout the police establishment if such things are going on elsewhere,” Van de Kamp said during a one-day stop in San Diego. “I believe with the embarrassment that has been suffered here by a lot of different people, the police world--which listens very carefully to the problems that their brethren are encountering--will be particularly conscious of this.”

Van de Kamp said he believes that the canceling of traffic tickets for influential people is not a widespread practice by police agencies throughout the state. But, he added, “I hadn’t heard of San Diego having this problem, either.”

After addressing a Capitol Caucus Club luncheon in Balboa Park, the attorney general suggested in an interview that fixing a traffic ticket is the equivalent of a prosecutor inappropriately dismissing a criminal case.

“Let’s face it, from an overall good government standpoint it’s a violation of the notion that we have equal protection under the laws, especially if a ticket is being withdrawn without good reason,” he said.

Kolender and Assistant Chief Bob Burgreen received written reprimands Nov. 26 from City Manager John Lockwood for canceling parking and moving citations, and other improprieties.

The Times reported that, since January, 1985, Kolender and his top administrators dismissed parking and traffic citations for friends, family members, former police officials, influential businessmen, fellow officers and the media. In many cases, the Police Department violated its own policies by using flimsy or fabricated excuses or none at all, The Times found.

Among those who had traffic tickets dismissed were the wife of San Diego Padres pitcher Rich Gossage, KFMB-TV editorial director Carl Sisskind, Marriott Hotel general manager Reint Reinders and Ronald Reina, a KSDO radio sportscaster. Kolender is in Hawaii this weekend to serve as the best man at Reina’s wedding.

The district attorney’s office has not yet decided whether to investigate Kolender or Burgreen. For two months, the district attorney’s office has been reviewing Lockwood’s findings in an attempt to determine whether any criminal violations were committed.

Lockwood’s report also concluded that Kolender inappropriately assigned police employees to do personal errands and furnished guns to friends.

Van de Kamp said Thursday that any possible criminal charges should be filed by the district attorney and his office would not get involved in the case.

“The way the state is set up, we give strong powers to the local DA,” Van de Kamp said. “I respect those powers, having been one myself. The only time when we take a look at these things is when there is an allegation of abuse of discretion.”