Quick Action Is Expected on Recommendation to Fire Koon
Police Chief Willie L. Williams said Tuesday that he expects to take action “very, very shortly” on a recommendation that Sgt. Stacey C. Koon lose his job because he was convicted of violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights.
In a ruling made public Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department Board of Rights found that Koon should be stripped of his position. Conviction of a felony automatically results in the loss of a police officer’s job under department rules.
“We’re not shocked or surprised,” said Ira Salzman, one of Koon’s lawyers. “I certainly can understand that a felony conviction does present certain problems.”
Although Williams theoretically could reduce the board’s recommended punishment in the Koon case, he did not exercise that authority when a similar board suggested firing Officer Laurence M. Powell last year.
Koon and Powell each are serving 30-month federal prison sentences for their roles in the March 3, 1991, police beating of King.
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