28 ‘Problem Officers’ Are Under Psychological Review, Gates Says

Twenty-eight of 44 “problem officers” noted in the Christopher Commission report are being evaluated by Los Angeles Police Department psychological counselors, according to a memo written by Police Chief Daryl F. Gates.

The Christopher Commission, in its report this summer on Police Department policies and procedures, found that the 44 officers had each accumulated six or more allegations of excessive force and/or improper tactics since 1987.

In a memo to the Police Commission released Tuesday, Gates said two other officers from the group had been removed from the deparment after internal Board of Rights hearings into allegations of misconduct. In addition, another officer resigned rather than face possible discipline and another resigned for personal reasons.

Further, 11 of the 44 officers are being removed from field duty pending re-evaluation and 22 are being directed to attend remedial training. Neither the Christopher Commission nor the Police Department has released the names of the 44 officers.

Gates emphasized that not all of the officers should be considered problem officers. “Clearly this label may be totally unfair in individual cases and could be career-damaging to some very worthy and dedicated employees,” he said.