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New Group Of LAPD Officers Sue City Over Released Photos
An LAPD patrol car.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images North America
)
Topline:
Another group of current and retired LAPD officers have sued the city over the release of their images in response to a public records request.
Why now: It's the latest move in a legal battle that's been playing out since the city gave thousands of images of LAPD officers to Knock LA reporter Ben Camacho, who then posted them online.
That release excluded undercover officers, but the lawsuit claims that the more than 140 officers included in the batch had recently done undercover or "surveillance" work that required their identities be hidden.
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"There are safety exceptions to any Public Records Act request," the lawsuit states.
Key issues: The definition of undercover work has been central to the ongoing legal dispute. The city even filed a lawsuit against Camacho in an attempt to get the photos back, saying it had inadvertently shared images of officers on sensitive assignments.
Camacho's legal team disagreed, saying the category of "sensitive assignments" is "an impossibly broad category of officers that could include just about any officer's work at some point during their career."
In a statement to LAist, Camacho said he thought the new lawsuit was "more appropriately placed."
What's next: The City Attorney's Office said it does not comment on pending litigation.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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