Study on Forming Police Force Planned
The West Hollywood City Council has authorized a study to determine how much it would cost the city to establish its own Police Department.
However, City Manager Paul Brotzman cautioned that the study, to be conducted by the city’s staff over the next two to three weeks, does not mean that West Hollywood has decided to form its own police force.
Instead, he and other officials said they expect the study to show that West Hollywood’s $8.5-million-a-year arrangement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for police protection is a bargain.
Some gay activists have been critical of the Sheriff’s Department and have demanded that the city--where about 35% of the 37,000 residents are gay--consider establishing its own force. Gays have frequently complained to the City Council of being harassed by deputies.
About 50 activists have endorsed a petition circulated by City Councilman Steve Schulte demanding that the department recruit openly gay men and women as sheriff’s deputies.
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