Photo by digitalshay via Flickr
In January, the Los Angeles Police Commission agreed with an LAPD federal consent decree that said officers in specialized units dealing with narcotics and gangs must "disclose all of their sole and jointly owned assets, liabilities and income every two years. Refusal to disclose such information would bar officers from working in those units."
And even though officers said they would quit, leave the department or request a transfer if that went into effect, LAPD officials said they had to go through with it. The date for beginning disclosures was set for yesterday, but at the last moment, a judge stopped the order (although he made sure he stated that he "loathed" his decision) to let the LAPD get their ducks in a row and resolve issues with the Los Angeles Police Protective League who vehemently oppose the disclosures.
"The Los Angeles Police Department will abide by the court's temporary restraining order," said First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell in a prepared statement obtained by the Daily News. "We do however remain ready to move forward with the financial disclosure once a final decision is reached in order to be in compliance with the consent decree." The hearing is set to take place on July 9.
Once set in motion, the new rules will force new officers in gang and narcotics to divulge information within 10 days of beginning the assignment. Officers already working the beat will have two years to comply.
