LAPD Official No Longer Faces 1 Charge

A charge against the LAPD’s chief spokesman, Cmdr. Tim McBride, alleging that he made an inappropriate comment to a female officer was dropped late Thursday before it could be considered at a Board of Rights hearing Friday.

Chief Willie L. Williams dismissed the charge after the city attorney advised him that it did not amount to misconduct, said Rick Smith, an LAPD advocate representing the agency at the hearing. The city attorney’s office refused to comment.

McBride was accused of saying, “Well, looking the way you do, I can see why you don’t have to,” to Sgt. Kristine Kenney at an October 1995 police function when she said she never pays for hotel rooms. Kenney said the comment came after they both bid on a trip during a silent auction and McBride invited her to join him on the trip and share the hotel room.

Kenney’s allegation was one of two charges of inappropriate remarks brought against McBride, who was given a five-day suspension that he appealed to the board. He has denied both charges and remained on duty pending the outcome of the hearing.

On Friday, the three board members heard testimony regarding the remaining charge that McBride said, “Hi, babe,” when greeting Officer Mary Elizabeth Hatter in August 1995. The board will rule April 18. Kenney, who attended Friday’s hearing to testify about the remaining allegation, said she was furious that the charge involving her was dropped.