Civil Service

As the union representative referred to in Bill Boyarsky’s column “The Case for Streamlining Civil Service” (Nov. 8), I believe a few comments are in order.

First and foremost, organized labor is not at odds, as Boyarsky presumes, with the African-American and Latino communities over the proposed “streamlining” of Los Angeles County’s Civil Service system. Quite to the contrary.

Omitted from Boyarsky’s article is a proposal by County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Dixon’s Task Force to eliminate a current provision contained in the rules that prohibits the county from creating employment standards that would adversely impact minorities and women. It would seem logical that such an erosion of employee rights would not only be of interest to the county’s labor unions, but the African-American and Latino communities as well.

Secondly, Dixon used two cases involving deputy sheriffs to justify his task force’s proposals. One case involved the “torture” of a suspect in custody. If, as Dixon states, the deputies were guilty of using excessive force under the color of authority, then why were no criminal charges brought against them?

More important, Dixon stated that the “suspect” was deported, making him unavailable to testify at a Civil Service hearing against the law enforcement officers. Had criminal charges been filed, the county would have had the deportation order stayed since the suspect would be considered a material witness in a criminal proceeding. Thus, the suspect would have been able to testify at both the criminal and Civil Service proceedings.

The two incidents referred to by Dixon to justify his “streamlining” of the Civil Service rules were the result of unforeseen circumstances and perhaps lax prosecutorial practices in such cases--not the Civil Service system.

Lastly, Dixon wishes to erode a set of rules for county government workers that are an extension of constitutional protections and guarantees. In essence, he wishes to have the accuser also be the judge, jury and executioner. This brings to mind the old adage: Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

J. GUIDO DE RIENZO

Staff Representative, District Council 36

American Federation of State, County

and Municipal Employees