Consent Decree Independent Monitor Issues Second Quarterly Report on LAPD’s Reform Efforts

Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is pleased to report that the Office of the Independent Monitor, on February 15, 2002, issued the second, in a series of quarterly reports on the Department’s implementation efforts toward the Consent Decree.
In an effort to address issues surrounding a perceived pattern of practice of police misconduct and civil rights violations, the City of Los Angeles and the LAPD entered into a Consent Decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 15, 2001. In addition to providing specific mandates, the Decree required that a monitor be selected to oversee and report on the implementation of the Consent Decree.
The second quarterly reporting period ended on December 31, 2001. According to the Independent Monitor, "During this period, the LAPD has continued to make significant progress on reform and has instituted aggressive changes. Internal reorganizations and re-staffing have been substantially completed and meet Consent Decree requirements."
The Monitor also praised the Department for having completed major modifications to its procedures and reporting requirements, stating, "In many instances, these reforms exceed the minimum standards outlined in the Consent Decree. The Department has begun training in all new areas of responsibility."
Of concern to the Department is the observation by the Independent Monitor that there exists among some officers a lack of commitment to the Department’s reform initiatives. The Department supports the Monitor’s observation that for reform to succeed, all officers must take their obligations to the Consent Decree seriously. Los Angeles Chief of Police Bernard C. Parks, in response to the Monitor’s report, stated, "While I am very pleased with the Department’s Consent Decree compliance and implementation efforts, the Department’s commitment to meaningful reform is a mindset that must be inculcated in every Department employee. To this end, I must remind all Department employees that commitment to reform is not an option. As I have often stated in the past, we as a Department must consider the Consent Decree as part of a more comprehensive effort to provide the maximum level of protection and service possible, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence."
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.