LAPD Culture

Re “LAPD Culture Is Prime Reform Barrier, Study Says,” Sept. 9: Reforming the Los Angeles Police Department is impossible without transforming its “incredibly resistant” culture? The “first thing” most officers suggest to improve morale is fire their chief? Had anyone bothered to read the abundant academic literature, he would have discovered that insularity, “code of silence,” resistance to discipline and enmity toward administrators are common to police everywhere. Indeed, these features pervade most occupations. (For “codes of silence” to curl one’s hair, check out the legal and medical professions.)

Instead of putting a chief’s future up for a vote, or mounting a quixotic quest against an occupational “culture,” we would be much better advised to examine the environment of policing, then identify and act on the internal and external pressures that induce officers to cross the line. Um, where is that report?

JULIUS “JAY” WACHTEL

Lecturer, Criminal Justice

Cal State Fullerton