Harassment Charges Within LAPD
* While I appreciate The Times’ support of my role as the Los Angeles Police Commission’s inspector general, I must point out that your Dec. 10 editorial (“Sexism Has No Place in LAPD”) regarding my current efforts is not wholly accurate. I am not “tackling the apparently entrenched sexual harassment problem at the LAPD’s West Los Angeles division.” The memo I recently wrote, which was mentioned in your Dec. 8 story, referred only to an investigation of Mark Fuhrman and the “Men Against Women” situation in West Los Angeles, which spanned from 1983 through 1993.
Since my appointment to inspector general last July, I have not personally received one complaint of sexual harassment or hostile work environment from West Los Angeles employees. To my knowledge, West Los Angeles division is currently a good place for females to work.
The Police Department’s effective handling of sexual harassment issues is one of my top concerns. In this context, as inspector general, it is important to be completely accurate in identifying divisions that are currently viewed as having “entrenched” gender bias problems.
KATHERINE MADER
Inspector General
L.A. Police Commission
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