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8 on Council Oppose Strong Police Panel

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Eight of the 15 City Council members have now expressed strong opposition to some of the Christopher Commission recommendations aimed at giving the civilian Police Commission more independence.

The plan to give the commission more autonomy--at the expense of the council--appeared doomed Thursday as the second council committee to consider it in a week registered unanimous opposition in a preliminary, non-binding vote.

The plan, which will be considered later by the full council, would exempt the Police Commission from council oversight, and give the Police Commission the right to go to court if its authority is challenged--by the council or by the Police Department.

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When the Police Commission tried to place Police Chief Daryl F. Gates on paid administrative leave this year and was challenged by the council and Gates, a judge said the commission had no legal authority to defend itself in court.

Under City Charter Amendment 5, which voters approved in June, the council won the power to reverse decisions of mayor-appointed commissions, including the Police Commission.

The council has yet to use its new power. But members made plain that they are loathe to give it up.

“We just want this oversight,” said Councilwoman Joy Picus.

She predicted that it would only be used in extraordinary cases, if the Police Commission somehow overstepped its authority.

The Police Commission is a part-time civilian panel which, according to the charter, heads the Police Department and has the power, when Gates retires, to appoint a new police chief.

In opposing the plan, Picus was joined by council members Marvin Braude, Ernani Bernardi, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Richard Alatorre, who headed another committee that also rejected the proposals last Friday. Council members Hal Bernson and Nate Holden also voted against the proposals last week. In addition, Councilman Zev Yaroslavksy has publicly said he opposes them.

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Council members expressed support for other Christopher Commission recommendations that would allow the Police Commission to hire a staff to monitor Police Department operations.

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