Monitor Sees More Work for LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department continued to improve its internal auditing procedures as well as those for investigating officers who use deadly force, according to a report by the federal monitor overseeing reform.

But sounding familiar criticisms, monitor Michael Cherkasky said there is still work to be done, including the creation of a stronger civilian watchdog and working out kinks in its “early warning system” for officer misconduct.

Cherkasky, who remains in the post of federal monitor over the LAPD, was recently named chief executive of Marsh & McLennan Cos. in a bid to clean up the company, which has been accused by New York’s Atty. Gen. Eliot Spitzer of bid-rigging fraud.

The report for the quarter ended Sept. 30 reiterated that the consent decree might have to be extended because of delays in developing a reliable system to track officer misconduct.

The monitor’s oversight is part of the consent decree the city signed with the U.S. Justice Department three years ago in which it agreed to a series of reforms rather than fight federal allegations that it systematically abused the rights of citizens.

The department moved into the most critical stage of the agreement in June. From that point on, the department must show two years of “substantial compliance” with the nearly 200 provisions required in the decree in order to meet a 2006 overall deadline.

The court mandate followed the Rampart corruption scandal, in which former Officer Rafael Perez said he and other officers had routinely falsified evidence, framed suspects and covered up unjustified shootings.

The reforms are intended to curb what federal officials called a practice of excessive force, false arrests and unreasonable searches while strengthening the hand of internal department controls and civilian overseers, including the Police Commission and its investigative wing, the inspector general’s office.

Force issues, the LAPD’s response to complaints, racial profiling and limits on civilian oversight have been regular themes in the monitor’s quarterly reports.

In the report released on Nov. 15, Cherkasky said Inspector Gen. Andre Birotte Jr. needs more support from the city to ensure that police are not abusing the system.

Asked for comment, Birotte said the city has made efforts to deal with Cherkasky’s concerns.

In addition to approval of $400,000 in provisional funding, the City Council funded 10 new positions, including police performance auditors and special investigators for the inspector general’s office.

“I’m confident that in the next six months, you will see a significant change and improvement in the quality of our work and the quality of the people we bring on board,” Birotte said.