Rampart Division Investigation

Re the Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Division scandal: The most surprising thing about this horror is that anyone is surprised by it.

Any minority in this city, black, Latino, gay, etc., could tell you that the LAPD has been out of control for years. And you know what? Nothing will change.

MICHAEL BLESSING

Studio City

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As a result of the latest revelations, how can a reasonable person on a jury deliberating the fate of a criminal defendant where the case hinges on the testimony of a police officer not conclude that a reasonable doubt exists?

PATRICK McDONOUGH

Marina del Rey

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After reading Stephen Yagman’s commentary (Sept. 17), I am just as upset about this latest police scandal. The one thing Yagman failed to mention is that the Los Angeles Police Department will investigate this scandal, and if they find more bad officers you can bet they will be fired and possibly indicted. This type of scandal not only hurts every law officer working on active service, but also all of us retired officers.

I only hope that a potential juror, prosecutor, judge or defense lawyer won’t taint all of the hard-working men and women who have an unselfish commitment to law enforcement.

TONY BARONE

Retired, LAPD

Huntington Beach

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The investigation within the Los Angeles Police Department of its own personnel (Sept. 16) is not shocking and demoralizing just to the public and fellow officers but to law enforcement in general and the faith within which they function. There are in any organization, as in our society, a few who will take advantage and seek personal gain or hedonistic satisfaction. That is why we must not reduce our hiring standards, which include in-depth background investigations and training requisites.

Chief Bernard Parks has been criticized by some for his strong supervisorial and disciplinary practices. Now maybe those critical may understand why the director of those who protect and serve is so relentlessly demanding of integral performance.

RICHARD W. GREEN

Retired, LAPD

Thousand Oaks

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Where is Paul Conrad’s logic in generalizing about the Los Angeles police force? His Sept. 15 cartoon’s sarcastic substitution of the word “Defective” for “Detective” on a police officer’s badge is uncalled-for and brazen.

There are some police misfits, not surprisingly, as there are misfits in any large group. However, Conrad’s untrue categorization of thousands of reputable Los Angeles police officers should have been instantly rejected by The Times!

ROSEMARY DALLMAN

Thousand Oaks