LOS ANGELES : Procedures for LAPD Sex Harassment Cases Reviewed

A City Council committee reacted favorably Wednesday to proposals that would dramatically change the way sexual harassment complaints are handled by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The council’s Personnel Committee is expected to vote in two weeks on a set of reform recommendations drawn up by Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, the committee chairwoman. Chief among the changes is a proposal to create an independent civilian unit to investigate sexual harassment and job discrimination complaints within the department.

The committee review is only the beginning of a long approval process required to enact any serious changes. But Goldberg said she was pleased with the overall response.”I’m thrilled,” she said. “ We are definitely moving toward solutions.”