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LAUSD Super. Says Sorry for School Cop's Shooting 'Hoax'
A group of police officers search outside El Camino Real High School in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
This morning, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines issued an apology following the arrest last night of school police officer Jeffrey Stenroos, who went from victim to perp after allegedly filing a false report about his shooting outside El Camino Real High School last week.
In his emailed statement, Cortines calls Stenroos' shooting story a "hoax," and defers to the savvy of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles School Police in resolving this upsetting turn of events. Cortines' full statement:
On behalf of the thousands of dedicated professionals that comprise the Los Angeles Unified School District I would like to apologize to the public for the hoax that was perpetrated by a rogue officer of the Los Angeles School Police. I have directed our General Counsel David Holmquist and Los Angeles School Police Chief Zipperman to immediately relieve him of duty and begin the process for immediate dismissal.
Thousands of people were inconvenienced by the actions of this one man I want to again apologize to everyone who was alarmed, who worked long hours and who were adversely affected by his actions: especially law enforcement, first responders, the medical team and hospital staff and of course, parents, teachers, students and residents of the area near El Camino Real High School.
We do not know all of the details. We do know that Mr. Stenroos has been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department, and faces a felony charge of filing a false report.
Although Jeff Stenroos was an eight-year veteran of the Los Angeles School Police, his actions in no way reflect the professionalism and integrity of the men and women who protect and serve this District every day. I have absolute confidence in our new chief of police and the department. Chief Zipperman is cooperating with the LAPD in the investigation of this deception, and as our new leader of the department is examining every aspect of this situation.
The Daily Breeze reports that Stenroos was freed on bail overnight.
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