Policewoman Fired for Involvement With High School Athlete

An undercover Los Angeles policewoman whose romantic relationship with a Kennedy High School student scuttled a drug investigation at the Granada Hills school has been dismissed from the force, police said Friday.

The officer, whose name and age were not disclosed, was notified Friday of Police Chief Daryl F. Gates’ decision, Los Angeles Police Cmdr. William D. Booth said.

Booth has said the officer exercised “extremely bad judgment” in becoming involved with the student, a 17-year-old varsity football player, while she was covertly working at the school as part of the department’s “school buy” program to control drug use. Police earlier had said that the relationship was not sexual.

Cases were dismissed against nine suspected drug dealers arrested by the policewoman last fall because her relationship could have called into question not only her own actions but the entire 13-year-old undercover program, authorities said.

“It was a prohibited manner of behavior to attempt to convert an on-duty contact into a social relationship,” Booth said, “and the investigation established that that had been done.

“This was very severe misconduct, and, therefore, severe discipline was warranted, which was termination,” he said.

The policewoman’s firing is probationary because she has five days to appeal, Booth said. The appeal would result in a hearing before a Police Department hearing officer, who could recommend a reconsideration by the police chief, he said. The chief’s decision then would be final.

The officer may seek legal representation at such a hearing and ask that it be closed to the public, Booth said.