Push for L. B. Police Review Panel Renewed

The city should create an independent investigator’s office and a citizen review board to air complaints about police misconduct, according to recommendations of a special subcommittee of the Public Safety Advisory Commission.

The proposals come in the wake of the January incident in which Officer Mark Dickey was secretly videotaped as he appeared to shove the head of black activist Don Jackson, a Hawthorne police sergeant on administrative leave, through a plate-glass window.

The commission has previously called for a citizen review board, but the City Council rejected the proposal. Commissioners say the council now may have a change of heart in light of the Jackson incident, which was videotaped as part of a sting to expose purported police abuses in Long Beach.

Commission Chairman Larry Davis said he believes the incident has softened opposition to reforming the complaint process. “The recommendations are solutions to a credibility problem,” he said. “We feel we offer reasonable oversight. This is an important step in bringing our community together.”

Meeting on Wednesday

The recommendations are scheduled to be presented to the 13-member commission at 7 p.m. Wednesday at a public meeting in the auditorium of the main city library in the City Hall complex. If approved by the full commission, they will once again go before the City Council for consideration.

Barbara Shoag, who chaired the subcommittee on which Davis and two other commissioners served, said the recommendations are an attempt to instill public faith in the conduct of police officers.

“Our major goal was to open up the process in order to re-establish public confidence in the Police Department,” Shoag said. She added that “certain segments” of the committee feel that they are not respected by the police, a reference to minority organizations that have repeatedly complained about alleged police brutality and mistreatment.

Complaints could be filed either with the Police Department or the independent investigator, but each office would make copies for the other, according to the subcommittee’s report. A monthly complaint tally would be sent to the City Council and commission.

An independent investigator would be hired by the city manager and serve under his direction. The citizen complaint board would consist of seven residents with diverse ethnicity and background, appointed by the mayor, the report states.

The independent investigator’s office would check into all in-custody deaths, excessive force complaints, false arrest complaints or any complaints with racist or sexist overtones. It would also consider appeals of cases rejected by police internal affairs officers.

On each case of alleged police misconduct, one or two members of the board would be appointed to act as liaisons with the independent investigator.

Board Would Have Subpoena Powers

The liaisons would review all the reports, interview the independent investigator and preside over a public hearing during which the review board would sustain or dismiss allegations. The board would have subpoena powers and conduct fact finding, the report states.

Shoag said the system, is modeled after a similar program in Oakland.

She said the new system would not duplicate efforts of the Civil Service Commission, which only hears appeals of police officers who are disciplined, or the City Council, which usually refers complaints to the Police Department for review.

She expressed confidence that the recommendations will be favorably received by the City Council.

When informed of the proposals, Councilman Ray Grabinski said he likes the idea of an independent investigator’s office, but remains opposed to a citizen review board. “Sometimes they (police officers) are belligerent, sometimes they are ignorant, sometimes they break the law. But for me, I don’t want civilians deciding police tactics,” he said.

‘Would Be Supportive’

Councilman Tom Clark said he believes there is enough public interest in a police review board to put the issue on the ballot. As for an investigator, he said, “I would be supportive and I would be surprised if the council is not.”

Police Chief Lawrence L. Binkley said he will need more information before taking a position on the subcommittee’s proposals, but that he will support the wishes of the City Council. He questioned whether public hearings could be conducted into police officer conduct without violating confidentiality laws.

City Manager James C. Hankla said he, too, is considering the possibility of recommending an independent investigator. He pointed out that he has opposed a citizen review board in the past, but would take a fresh look if requested by the City Council.

The subcommittee also recommends extending the probationary period for rookie officers beyond the current one year. Binkley said he has no objection.

The report also calls for extra pay for bilingual officers, which Binkley said he supports. Currently, civilian employees receive an extra $10 a week for bilingual skills, but police officers receive no extra pay.

Times staff writer Roxana Kopetman contributed to this story.