Los Angeles Police Scandal

Re “Beatings Alleged to Be Routine at Rampart,” Feb. 14: My brother has been telling me “the cops are bad, they lie, plant evidence and beat and abuse people,” and I’ve always told him that the vast majority of Los Angeles Police Department officers are certainly better than that. I’ve been supportive--until now. We need a dramatic change in prosecution policy.

I’m generally against zero-tolerance measures, but perhaps the police should be expected to measure up to a higher standard; after all, assaulting a police officer is a more serious crime, for good reason. Likewise, crimes committed by police officers should be considered more serious, not less. The departmental “wall of silence” is disgusting.

DAN BRUMER

Encino

*

I read with great interest the article, “Shooting Scenes Rigged, Perez Says” (Feb. 10). It never ceases to amaze me that everybody gives a convict like Rafael Perez so much credence. He’s an admitted thief and a liar and will do anything to save his own skin.

I’m sure that some of the things he says may be true. But I have to say this: I’ve been a police officer for almost 26 years. I’ve spent over 18 of those years working the field both as an officer and a supervisor. I have never seen an officer do any of the things he alleges. However, I have seen officers work their tails off for the citizens of Los Angeles, and do it proudly. I hope the citizens remember that we all aren’t like Perez.

I still wear the uniform with pride and I’m damn proud of the over 9,000 other Los Angeles police officers who do the same.

SGT. RICK DEDMON

LAPD

*

Regarding Mayor Richard Riordan’s contention that the LAPD can “investigate itself”: To suggest that the LAPD is capable of regulating itself, in light of the current revelations of its CRASH units’ monstrous behavior, is a smug slap in the face to the intelligence of the citizens of Los Angeles. Only with an externally conducted investigation does the LAPD stand any chance of cleaning up its act and possibly regaining the trust of the people.

CRAIG LOFTIN

Los Angeles

*

Re San Diego police shooting of a homeless man, Feb. 10-11: I don’t know what disgusts me more, the blatant disregard for human life, or the shameful cowardice of the officers--five of them--who saw no other way to subdue a mentally ill man waving a stick than by shooting to kill. From New York to Los Angeles to Riverside to San Diego, what we have here is not a few “bad apples” but rather a police culture that is rotten to the core.

LAURENCE M. HAUBEN

Santa Barbara