City to Look into Independent Oversight of Fire Dept.

The LAPD already has one, created by voters in 1995. Now two City Councilman, Jose Huizar and Jack Weiss, are proposing to put the option before voters on the March 2009 ballot. "The independent assessor will ensure that the reforms Chief (Douglas) Barry is trying to implement are strictly adhered to and to inform the public if they're not," said Huizar, per the Daily News. The reforms they're talking about relate to "a culture of hazing and inappropriate behavior toward women and minorities" in the department with the Tennie Pierce dog food controversy highlighting said culture.