Civilian Monitor Aids Transfer of Officer in Harassment Probe

A vice sergeant with a history of sexual harassment and discrimination complaints was reassigned after intervention by the Los Angeles Police Commission’s inspector general, illustrating the growing influence of the newly hired civilian monitor.

Although the department was already investigating complaints against Sgt. Bill Florez, it was only after Inspector General Katherine Mader brought the issue to Chief Willie L. Williams--in front of his bosses, the Police Commission--that Florez was temporarily transferred from his longtime post at the Devonshire station to the Foothill Division, Police Department sources said.

Florez has since taken a stress-related leave and could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Mader, a former prosecutor, was hired five months ago to oversee the disciplining of officers. Last month, she briefed the commission in closed meetings about complaints against Florez, who had worked at least 15 years in the Devonshire station, sources said.

The LAPD’s handling of the complaints against Florez highlights the complexity of sexual harassment and discrimination investigations inside the department, say commission members who hired Mader to keep closer watch over the disciplining of wayward officers.

Because the half-dozen or so women officers who complained about Florez no longer work at the Devonshire station, Internal Affairs investigators believed that there was no need to hurry Florez’s transfer, a source said.

But Mader said she was concerned that women officers who may have been the target of harassment were fleeing Devonshire while Florez, the subject of the allegations, remained in his job. She said she hopes that a new discrimination unit being created by the LAPD will handle these cases in the future.

The Florez investigation, she said, is typical of the work the Police Commission expects of her. They created the job after the Christopher Commission in 1991 recommended the hiring of a civilian to monitor discipline within the department.

“Something was brought to our attention that we thought was important and we immediately acted on it,” Mader said.

Members of the Police Commission applauded Mader’s involvement in the Devonshire case.

“It sends a signal that we are absolutely serious about ferreting out any discrimination or harassment of employees based on gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity,” said Commissioner Art Mattox.

Times staff writer Jim Newton contributed to this story.