Readers React: Horse deal a blemish on LAPD Chief Beck’s record

To the editor: Few in Los Angeles city government seem to understand the concept of “an appearance of conflict.” Any time a public official mixes his personal financial affairs with his office, there is an appearance of conflict because it permits a suspicion that the official used his position to get a good deal. (“LAPD Chief Charlie Beck in the hot seat over horse deal,” Aug. 6)

Police Commission President Steve Soboroff is wrong when he says all Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck had to do was identify the seller of a horse to a police foundation as his daughter when notifying the commission of the deal. The proper course for the chief when he learned the LAPD would be acquiring his daughter’s horse would have been for him to stop the sale.

This is not the first time Beck has failed to act ethically and transparently. This sets a terrible example for Beck’s department. He does not deserve to be reappointed as chief.

John Brock, Los Angeles

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To the editor: While people say that there are thousands of horses for sale in Southern California and available to the LAPD, the fact is there are very, very few that are appropriate to serve as Mounted Unit horses.

These horses must possess a very calm demeanor and have the intellect to process the training necessary for them to perform their jobs without endangering their handlers and the members of the public they encounter. Additionally, they must be sound and healthy and fit certain height requirements.

As a lifelong equestrian familiar with Mounted Unit horses, I know that horses that fit all of the LAPD requirements are very rare.

Lisa Dyson, Burbank

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To the editor: The mayor and the Police Commission should quit horsing around and find a new police chief. But no doubt they will say neigh to that idea.

Nepotism lives on in L.A.

Loren Mark, Los Angeles

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To the editor: The problem is not with the chief but with the behavior of his daughter. Her actions have placed her father in positions that he should not have been placed in.

Her involvement with a superior officer, and the sale of her horse that resulted in its acquisition by the LAPD, put Beck in a position of conflict. Even if the sale of the horse was reasonable as far as cost is concerned, she should not have done it given the position her father holds in the department.

This is the problem when you have family members in the same organization as the person running it.

David Levine, Los Angeles