Police Scandal to Be Probed by New Panel

The Los Angeles City Council authorized a special panel Wednesday to examine how the Police Department had reacted to the Rampart corruption scandal.

Despite nearly half a dozen investigations into the 1999 scandal, in which ex-Officer Rafael Perez told authorities that he and other officers had routinely planted evidence, framed suspects and covered up unjustified shootings, police officials said one more was necessary.

Created at the suggestion of Chief William J. Bratton and headed by civil rights attorney Constance Rice, the Blue Ribbon Rampart Review Panel will look at whether the Police Department investigated itself properly and learned the right lessons.

Rice said the panel plans to work quickly and hopes to issue a report within a year.

In an impassioned, nearly two-hour discussion, most council members praised the idea. Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa said it was necessary to “ensure that we never ever revisit this kind of black stain on our department’s history.”

Councilman Greig Smith, who cast the lone vote against the panel, said that the LAPD “needs to get beyond Rampart” and that another investigation would “just open old wounds” and expose the city to more lawsuits. Los Angeles has spent more than $45 million settling Rampart-related claims.

Smith also expressed concern that some panelists, such as Rice and Carol Sobel, had represented clients who sued the LAPD in brutality and civil rights cases.

But others said that Sobel and Rice would give the panel insight into the department and credibility with the public.

The panel’s budget is $350,000, all of it donated and much of it from private law firms.