Panel Hears Public’s Concerns on Police Probe

Outrage over the ongoing Los Angeles police corruption scandal dominated the Police Commission meeting Tuesday, as residents voiced concerns about crooked officers patrolling city streets.

“It has become very clear with the Rampart [Division] scandal that the biggest gang in the city is actually the police,” said Michal Myers, a Los Angeles schoolteacher whose voice cracked with emotion.

While many of the public speakers blasted the LAPD, Chief Bernard C. Parks and commissioners over the current crisis and a host of other problems, some residents offered praise, despite jeers from the crowd.

Mostly though, residents vented their anger in what became the commission’s first public airing on the corruption probe, which has resulted in the suspension of a dozen officers.

Parks and commissioners sat stone-faced throughout most of the public testimony, which occurred in a sweltering auditorium at Los Angeles City College, which is in an area patrolled by the same officers who are at the heart of the investigation.

Some speakers told the commissioners of other alleged police misconduct and alleged cover-ups that have taken place elsewhere in the city. In the past, they said, their complaints were ignored.

Myers at one point asked Parks why he responded to a speaker about a local tavern issue but refused to address a woman who said her son was shot in the back by his officers. Parks did not answer Myers.

Commission officials contend that they are restricted in how fully they can respond to queries from the public.

“We are upset,” Elmore Richmond said. “We do not need another riot . . . we need people with integrity.”

Joe Shea, a police activist, said residents “feel betrayed” by police who have abused their authority.

According to police officials, LAPD detectives are investigating misconduct ranging from illegal shootings and drug dealing to planting evidence and false arrests.

Some praised the LAPD for tackling the allegations head-on.

Some speakers defended the beleaguered CRASH unit that is at the center of the scandal.

“Don’t take away CRASH,” said Bertha Wooldridge, a member of the civilian police advisory board in the Rampart area. “Bring back the gang injunctions.”

When she was heckled by the crowd, Wooldridge defiantly repeated her words in a louder voice.

She wasn’t the only one to take the unpopular position of backing the police.

“I’ve heard from a lot of critics tonight. But when it comes to doing something, you critics always hide behind the curtains,” said Geoffrey Saldivar, 37, a schoolteacher and Rampart area resident.

James Mora, 25, said he could see both sides of the equation.

“Not all cops are bad,” Mora said, telling a story of how one LAPD officer helped steer him away from life in a gang.

But he also talked about being pulled over and harassed without cause last year as he and two friends drove from another friend’s funeral.

“Just because I’ve got my hair slicked back doesn’t mean I’m a gang member,” he said.