Police Officers Reject Contract

* In response to “The Beat Cop Takes a Back Seat, Again” by Marvin Braude, Commentary, May 23:

Councilman Braude implies that the patrol officers were led astray by the Police Protective League leadership when the city’s contract offer was rejected. I would remind Braude that the league’s board of directors vigorously advocated ratification of the contract. What led to its rejection was a groundswell of resentment among the very patrol officers that Braude claims to support.

When I joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1982 we were among the best paid police officers in the state, if not the country. We have since fallen far behind other agencies in pay and benefits while the challenges we face have steadily increased. We are no longer attracting the most qualified applicants and many fine young officers are leaving the LAPD for other departments where they are better paid and enjoy more public support.

Finally, I think it is dangerous to impose the will of the Christopher Commission without challenge. Warren Christopher was touted as an expert on law enforcement issues, but as secretary of state he is supposed to be an expert on foreign affairs. The current state of our foreign policy casts doubt on his expertise.

DAN HORAN

Detective, LAPD

* Regarding the stalemate between the LAPD and the City Council, I believe the council is in error. The council’s job is to either give the officers a raise they can or will accept, or convince them (the LAPD) that they don’t deserve a raise.

I sincerely hope that the LAPD will not resort to a slowdown, or a sick-out, or any other such maneuver, which could only undermine their image. The police should carry on doing their job protecting the citizens of Los Angeles, which they were hired to do.

I suggest that the union executives attempt to get enough signatures to place a motion on the ballot as to whether or not the voters want our police officers compensated adequately for the tremendous job they are asked to do.

I would rather pay a higher tax for the protection of our city than pay the tremendous cost of allowing our city to be polluted by crime.

Giving our city councilmen/women a raise certainly doesn’t seem to help.

JAMES GLEN

Pacific Palisades

* Notwithstanding the fact that the Department of Water and Power employees are grossly overpaid, it is an insult to the members of our fine Police Department to ask them to accept less.

MARY HUGHES THOMPSON

Los Angeles