L.A. ELECTION WATCH : ‘Yes’ on Amendment 2

Ask about the importance of Charter Amendment 2 on the June 6 municipal ballot and you’re likely to get one of two answers. One, it’s necessary to clean up confusing Charter language pertaining to the Police Department’s disciplinary system. Two, it’s valuable to continue vital momentum toward police reform in Los Angeles.

Either argument justifies approval. But together, Los Angeles voters have ample reason to cast a resounding “yes” vote on Election Day for this needed revision.

Under current law, when a police officer is charged with misconduct, the chief has the power to suspend, demote or temporarily relieve that individual from duty and call for a hearing and investigation by a police board of rights. The board decides if an officer’s behavior was warranted. If not, it recommends appropriate disciplinary actions.

Charter Amendment 2 would streamline disciplinary practices to protect officers and the public. The changes, though mostly technical, would shield officers from arbitrary actions from police brass by ensuring due process in board of rights hearings. Yet, it also gives the chief power to exercise needed discretion in dealing with problem officers.

In a rare bit of consensus, Amendment 2 has the support of the police unions, the Los Angeles Police Department and a host of city officials, including Mayor Richard Riordan. More important than support, a vote for Amendment 2 is both a vote for needed change and a continued commitment to police reform in this city. So let us continue.