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Inspector general questions LAPD investigations into racial profiling
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Inspector general questions LAPD investigations into racial profiling
Inspector general questions LAPD investigations into racial profiling
The Los Angeles Police Commission’s inspector general said Tuesday that the LAPD’s failing to properly investigate all allegations of racial bias against its officers.
As part of a review of the department’s quarterly discipline report, the inspector general reviewed investigations into 20 of 53 complaints of racial profiling. Andre Birotte said he found serious problems with one-third of them.
He said that internal affairs investigators failed to interview all witnesses, and that commanders’ decisions to absolve some officers of racial bias “were not supported by factual information.” Birotte questioned why some cops escaped punishment.
Commander Rick Webb, who monitors investigations of bias, said he’d found problems with only three cases. He in part blamed detectives’ tendency to paraphrase statements.
A statement by the American Civil Liberties Union said the report suggests the LAPD doesn’t always investigate racial profiling by its officers “thoroughly or dispassionately.”
The report surfaces as Charlie Beck prepares to take over for Bill Bratton as police chief.
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