INGLEWOOD : 9 Officers in Gambling Probe File Damage Claims

Eight Inglewood police officers disciplined in connection with an alleged station house gambling ring have filed claims against the city, saying they were falsely accused of being involved and that the investigation subjected them to humiliation and emotional stress. A ninth officer who was fired from the force after the gambling investigation filed a claim seeking $10 million in damages.

The nine officers were among 15 Inglewood officers implicated in the gambling investigation, which began with an anonymous tip to Inglewood Police Chief Oliver M. Thompson last December. Thompson later said the on-duty sports gambling involved “thousands of dollars” and was connected to a professional bookie outside the department. One officer, Rick Freeman, a 10-year veteran, was fired for his role and the other officers were given suspensions of from one to 30 days.

In his $10-million claim, Freeman alleges that search warrants served on his home, car and police station locker were obtained through falsified information and that his constitutional rights were violated. The other eight officers, who are seeking unspecified damages, said they were wrongfully detained and that their lockers--and in some cases, their homes--were wrongfully searched during the investigation. They also charge that the primary investigating officer in the case, an Inglewood police sergeant, was involved in an illegal betting operation--reportedly a “fantasy football league”--that was tolerated by police department administrators.

Inglewood city and police officials were unavailable for comment on the claims, which may be a first step toward lawsuits.