Los Angeles Police Scandal

Hello to all the good citizens out there who are “shocked! shocked!” at the wretched police excess at the LAPD Rampart Division: Shawn Hubler’s Feb. 17 column got it right. You are reaping what you sowed, but as long as it’s all happening to some powerless, poor Hispanic/black other guy, it’ll all be swept under the rug and any reforms will be strictly cosmetic.

A critical examination, reevaluation and reform of our entire system of crime and punishment will only occur when the CRASH teams are multiplied by hundreds and turned loose upon the citizens of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Encino, Manhattan Beach and other rich, white enclaves. When that happens, you’ll have profound reform in an eye blink.

ANN CALHOUN

Los Osos

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I am at a loss to understand Hubler’s comment about the “thrill” of a police officer’s funeral. In 1996, I had the unfortunate responsibility of eulogizing and burying my academy classmate, Mario Navidad, who was shot and killed on Dec. 22, 1996, by an armed gang member who had just stolen two 12-packs of beer from a 7-Eleven in the Wilshire area.

Mario left behind his wife and two young children. I can assure you that nothing about his death or that experience was thrilling. Maybe Hubler feels it is an unnecessary inconvenience for an officer’s funeral to “take over the freeways” for a period of time. I disagree. Traffic delays are a small sacrifice on your part in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice that Mario and so many others of us have made.

The vast majority of us in the LAPD are dedicated, honest and trustworthy professionals who every day live up to our motto: “To protect and to serve.” Make no mistake, we are prepared to lay down our lives for you, just as Mario did, but we are certainly not “thrilled” about it.

OFFICER GREG STEARNS

LAPD

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Chief Bernard Parks blames LAPD problems on inadequate supervision. It seems that he neglected to read his job description when he assumed his present position. The doctrine of total responsibility at the top levels of command that this country applied in post-World War II trials should perhaps be exercised here and Parks should be held responsible for the actions of his subordinates.

ANDREW WORTMAN

Santa Monica