Chaleff’s Expertise Is Needed

Something may yet be salvaged from Mayor Richard Riordan’s wrongheaded firing of Gerald L. Chaleff from Los Angeles’ civilian Police Commission. Chaleff, who pushed hard for police reform and stronger civilian oversight through a federal consent decree, has a wealth of experience and insight on police issues that should be kept in use.

City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, is expected to introduce a motion today to hire Chaleff as a consultant on police reform for at least the next few months. It will take a minimum of eight votes to hire Chaleff. Any stronger council support would send a message to Riordan that he cannot control the police reform process.

Under the terms of Miscikowski’s motion, Chaleff would work with the city’s chief legislative analyst, Ron Deaton, on the selection of an independent monitor to oversee whether specific reforms called for by the federal consent decree have been met. Ultimately, it is the Los Angeles City Council and the Justice Department that have to agree on a monitor, but Chaleff could provide invaluable advice on that and other police reform matters.

The Rampart Division police scandal has cost the city tens of millions of dollars in lawsuit settlements; future lawsuits and necessary reforms will cost millions more. It is imperative to keep reform of the department’s change-resistant culture on track. Chaleff’s insider knowledge of the department and its operations and his commitment to LAPD reform would be wise additions to the council’s deliberations.