LAPD detention and ID procedures are under close examination after the weekend's handcuffing of actress Daniele Watts in Studio City.
Police were called to investigate a complaint of public indecency between Watts and her boyfriend. Watts refused to provide identification and reportedly tried to leave the scene, which led to her detainment.
Tabloid coverage of the incident stoked outrage over LAPD's handling of African Americans, but also against Watts for her behavior during the incident. Chief Beck has defended the officer who handcuffed Watts, and told Larry Mantle charges could be filed against the couple. He joins AirTalk to talk more about that, LAPD union negotiations and answer questions from listeners.
Interview Highlights:
Larry Mantle: “Django Unchained” actress Danielle Watts and her boyfriend were approached by officers after a 911 call claimed the couple was having sex in an open car. Watts claimed she was treated with suspicion because she was black and her boyfriend was white. She said she wasn’t required to show ID to police. Why would identification be necessary to investigate whether the couple had committed a lewd act in public?
Well, Larry, in order to prosecute a crime, you need a person’s identification. If the officers are doing a thorough investigation, they will identify people alleged to be involved in a crime. Before we go too far, I have to say that Ms. Watts has initiated a personnel complain, so that’s something I have to adjudicate. Because of that, everything I say is based just on the things I know now. I may have a different opinion after I review all the information in the personnel complaint that will be completed.
LM: Would you say even in a case like this, where it’s reasonable suspicion, not probable cause law enforcement officers can hold someone because if they refuse to present ID?
I think you know that’s not true. What is true is this: If it’s germane to the officer’s investigation that they identify the individual, then they can hold them, and that’s case law — that’s not Charlie’s law, that is case law.
LM: The audio recording sounded very clear. Did that tape come from his on-body microphone?
It didn’t come from a department issued on-body microphone. It may have come from his personal recording device, which many officers carry. It’s very effective in gathering evidence, as it was in this case.
LM: I wanted to ask you about the city being in tough negotiations with officers over salary increases and the union criticizing you over what they say is inconsistent discipline. What's your response to that claim?
Well, we are engaged in discussions as late as today with the Protective League about what they would like to see different in the discipline system. The discipline system is something that is part of the City Charter. It is very specific as to how it is used and how it is put forward. We want to have discussions on them to see what they think would be more fair. Hopefully, we'll come to some mutual agreement on those things.
LM: Does that mean you think there really isn't discord over your discipline — that this is just a bargaining strategy?
No, I'm not saying that. The union, at least some portion of their membership, is not happy with discipline. That is a fairly natural thing. No organization that has a structured discipline system is going to have universal acceptance of it, but that doesn't mean we can't change things. I want to have a system that is as supportive as it can be ... with the realization that discipline in any profession is never popular.
LM: The union claims turnover is very high within the department because of low salaries and that has hurt morale as well. Do you agree with that conclusion that comparatively low pay at LAPD is causing you to have higher than historic turnover?
Certainly, what's been termed the 20 percent — the folks that have been hired since 2010 with a starting salary lower than everybody else's — that was an issue with retention and with hiring. The city has corrected that. We have restored those young officer's pay to their rightful schedule beginning this past month. I was very, very grateful and very happy to have that happen. This is part of a contract that was negotiated before I was chief of police. I never thought it was a good idea, and I'm glad we changed it. That piece has been met.
What maybe you're referring is a cost of living increase, and that is something that is still a topic of negotiation. I'm not as sure about that piece relative to retention.
Guest:
Charlie Beck, Chief, Los Angeles Police Department