LAPD Reform Is on Pace, City Officials Tell Council

Los Angeles city officials on Wednesday told council members that the Police Department is largely in compliance with reforms outlined in a federal consent decree, even though Mayor James K. Hahn has expressed dissatisfaction with the LAPD’s progress.

The mayor cited the slow pace of reform when he announced last week that he would not support reappointment of Chief Bernard C. Parks to a second term. He said then that he believes the department is “falling short” in its implementation of the consent decree.

But under questioning Wednesday from Parks’ strongest council supporter, Nate Holden, city officials said they thought the LAPD was doing an admirable job in making numerous fixes.

“They’ve done an outstanding job of meeting complex and difficult demands,” Chief Deputy City Atty. Terree Bowers told council members. “Overall progress is good. Although some of the most important work is ahead, I’m very optimistic.”

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski agreed.

“They have more than met the mark,” said Miscikowski, who heads a committee tracking police reform efforts.

After the council meeting, however, a spokesman for Hahn reiterated the mayor’s views.

“The consent decree is a floor and not a ceiling when it comes to reform,” said Deputy Mayor Matt Middlebrook. “We not only have to achieve total compliance in the consent decree, but we need to go beyond in reforming the department.”