Independent Commission workplan topic 11, 1991-04-20 |
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• • • • • • • • • - . ~ TOPIC 11. WORKING OUTLINE RACIAL AND ETHNIC BIAS/ DISCRIMINATION/ HARASSMENT Introduction. DRAFT There have been numerous and vocal allegations by leaders and members of minority communities in Los Angeles, particularly the Black community, as well as from the public at large that the beating of Rodney King was , in large part, racially motivated. In the aftermath of the King incident, the minority communities have reiterated the complaint that LAPD officers routinely treat minorities in a racist manner, evidenced by verbal abuse, including racially derogatory comments, harassmant and a greater tendency, unwarranted by thG circumsztancQs, to us@ force, and excessive force, again~t minoritias_ Thie portion of thQ rQport will addrca~s: the issues of racism and raoially/ethnioally motivated conduct on the part of the LAPD with respect to th9 minority communiti~s, as well as the trt~tment within the department of minority police otticers. Testimony presented to the Commission to date and other research by starr suqgests three discrete, though 101210(99786]1061 -1- 20-APR-91 12:32:59 2"d relatedr areas or inquiry which the invee~igation ~hould pursue. I. WORKING CULTURE OF LAPD. The investigation will seek to determine if the environment or culture within tne LAPD 1s one wn1cn tolerates or encourages racial and ethnic bias on the part of police officers which tends to translate into racially/ethnically motivated conduct by police ~ff1cers in dealing with citizens in minority communities. The transcript of computer transmissions between squad cars and the watch commander's office of LAPD's Foothill Division on the night of the King beating, rGf lQcting conv9rsation of two of the officers who took part in tha k>Gating, contains offensive, racially derogatory comment~ made by thosa officers. Some community leaders E"d have evidenced a concern that the comments reflect a pervasive attitude of racism among LAPD officers. It will therefore be important to establish if such comments and behavior are commonplace among Foothill and other divisions within the LAPD, and if so, what actions, if any, have been taken by the department to discourage such behavior and the attitudes it reflects. I01210[g9786]1061 ZO•APR-91 12:33:00 ~·d Methodology. rn re!erence to this aspect of the inquiry, staff proposes the following actions: review of transcripts or police computer transmissions for several geographically strategic divisions during the year preceding the King incident and tne period since March 3; to the extent available, review audiotapes ot radio car transmissions for a comparable period; review of records of departmental disciplinary actions against officers related to racially/ethnically derogatory comments/verbal abuse/harassment of minority review police academy and in-service training matQrials relat.Gd to roanaginq racial/ethnic diversity and human rQlatiomi; interviews of polica officers (minority and majority) on a random baeie to accertain attitudeg toward and reaction to police "working oul ture. '' 101210(99786]1061 20-APR-91 12:33:00 Expert and Teohnical Consultant ServM.tces. To assi5t etaf £ in undor~tanding the more subtle manifestations of raoism and biaG ! as WQll a~ to assist in the development of appropriate investigative techniques, staff will seek to interview Dr. Martin RQadQr, LAFD'S chief psychologist, as well as to interview (with tho assistance of deputy general coun~el Larry Gotlieh) retirsd UCLA medical school psychiatry profe~sors Loui~ West and Judd Marmur and or. Peter Gruenberg, pre5ident of the Psychiatric Society ot Los Angeles. To assist start in aecipnering and tranelatinq what may be "coded" language in tne computer transcripts, we will seek the services of one or more, preferably recently retired, LAPD officer as an unpaid statf consultant. S"d Depending upon the volume and manageability of the computer transcripts, staff will consider using the technical services of a computer programming specialist to design software programs to facilitate and expedite the prooass of review and analysis of the transcripts. II. PATTERNS OF RACIALyY MOTIVATED CONDUCT :SY LAPD IN DEALING WITH MINORITIES. I01210[997S6]106l -4- 20-APR-91 12:33:00 The invastigation will seek to determine if there i~ evidence of disca~nible, p~rsistent patterns of racial/ethnic di~crimination and/or harassment in the conduct of LAPD officers with m~mhers of the minority conimunities. This ar9a of inva~tigation will consist of two components: interaction of policQ with minorities "on the streets" and the experiences of minoritiQs in utilizing ~epartmental complaint procedures. A. Street Interaction. Alle9ationa of polic~ racism and discrimination in encounters betwagn minorities and police ten~ to fall into three broad categories: (1) verbal abuse/harassment where no arro~t is made; (ii) the use or tactics intended primarily to humiliate or intimidate, such as the "proned-out" position, or instigating attacks by police dogs; an~ (iii) unwarranted and excessive use ot force. B. U~ilization of LAPD Personnel Complaint Procedure. Evidence presented to the Commission suggests -5- 20-APR-91 12:33:00 that many of the citizen complaints lodged against police officers for misconduct are made by minorities. There have also been continuing allegations by members of the minority communities that the LAPD has been, on the whole, unresponsive to such complaints, and that generally, the existing d~partmental procedur~s for personnel complaints are an ineffective means of redress for minorities& MQthodo1oq¥• materials in other areas of study, with staff working on ~taf f proposQ~ to review and analyze reoorde of LAPD relating to (i) complaints filed during the last five yeare by minorities againet the LAPD officer~, with a particular focu5 on complcint5 alle9ing use of excessive force and racial harassment/discrimination, including the ultimate disposition of the complaint and any resulting discip1inary action taken against the officers(s) involved; and ~·d (ii) arrest reports indicating use of rorce or medical treatment o! the arrestee following detention or arrest where h~ or she is a minority, and reports of any related departmental review or other action initiated on the basis of information in the arrest report. In addition, staff proposes to conduct interviews of the leadership and members of representative minority 101210(99786]1061 -6- 20-APR-91 12:33:01 organizations in the conutunity regarding experiences and relations with the LAPD, includinq tha p~rceivad eff~ctiveness of community relations programs established by LAPD. An initial working list of such persons and orqanizations is attachQd 3s Appgndi~ I. Expert~ and Con&ultant~. To a~ai~t in thQ dQaign and structure of appropriate questions and tQchniqu9s for the interviews of private citizens and group repreeentativee, staff will enlist the aseietance of a leading social ecienti~t/p~ychologi:5t to help maximiee the utility and reliability of the inforruetion elici~ed in the interviews. III. CULTURE OF DIVERSITY WITHIN LAPD. ot no less signiticance in examining the issue ot racism in tne LAPO is tne status an~ experience or minority police o!t1cers within tne aepartmen~. I01210C9978611061 -7- 20-APR-91 12%33:01 8"d A. Blake consent Decree. In 1973, Fanchon Blake initiated a civil suit against the City of Los Angeles, LAPD and others alleging sex discrimination in the promotion of female police officers above the rank of sergeant. In 1977, the U.S. Attorney General filed an action against the City and the LAPD alleging emplorrnent discrimination on the basis of sex, race and national origin for sworn officer positions. In the settlement of these actions, the City and the LAPD agreed to a consent decree which prescribed an affirmative action program to recruit and hire minority and fQmale candidates as sworn officers. According to a July, 1290 study conductQd by thG ClarGmont GraduatQ Schoel (Claremont Study) on tha impact of the Blake con~ent dQcrQe, citing figure$ provided by the LAPD, in 1990, of LAPD sworn pQrsonnol, Blacks oomprisgd 13.2% (comparQd to €.7% in 19BO) and Hispanics comprised 20.4% (compared to 10.7% in l9BO). While there ha5 been a significant increase in the overall representation of minorities among the swotn personnel of the LAPD, the Claremont Study indicates several areas of concern affectin9 the pro9res3 and succes~ of minoritie5 in the department. I01210[99786]l06l -8- 20-APR-91 12:33:01 6"d An inquiry into such issues for purposes of de~ermin!ng compliance with the Blake ccnsent decree is, of course, beyond .the scope of the charge of the Commission. However, some level of examinatton of these issues would be appropriate to help determine if one or more such factors contribute to a perception among minority officers of racial/ettmic bias or discrimination within the department which may adversely affect the job performance of minority officers and the rnanner in which they relate to the minority communities. These areas of concern include: (i) Minorities in Investigative, Supervisory and Management Positions. The Claremont Study indicates that in 1990, Blacks and Hispanics together comprised 18.4% (8.0% and 10.4~, respti;.ctively) of ~taff, command and supervisory positions1 in LAPD. Of the DQtective positions within tho dopartmont, Blacks;; and His:panio~ compri;:'-d an aggregate 44.7%2 (6.5% and 18.2%, r~spQctiv~ly) • .!I Staff positions con~ist of Commender, Deputy Chief, A~~i~tcnt Chief and Chief. Command po=itions con~ist of Cftptains only. Supervisory positions con~ist of Ser9e~nt o.nd Lieutenant.. 1f Datective positions consist of Detective I, II and II!. I01210(99785]10el -9- 20-APR-91 12:JJ:ol (ii) Minorities as Training Officers. While not specifically addressed by the Claremont Study, a related issue is the degree of participation by minorities as training officers. Present evidence suggests that few of the minority and female sworn officers are involved as field training otf icers; and (iii) Minority Officer Attrition. The Claremont study indicates that for Black off i~ers in particular the field probation attrition rate (i . . e., rate of terminations during the first year following graduation from the academy) has been disproportionately higher than for other groups, including Hispanics. The Claremont study also discloses that over the period of the study, 1981-89, a relatively greater percentage of Blacks were terminated for poor "duty performance," poor "record writing" and resigned "in lieu of" termination. Methodology. In conjunction with staff working on materials for Chapter 5 of the Report, staff proposes the following action: (i) review ~tati~tic~ and r~eordc of tho dopartmont ralatinq to appointments to suparvi~ory and management positions within the dapartmant ovar tha lagt 101210[99796]1061 -10- 20-APR-91 12:33:02 H"d five yeara to determine if there are any npparent recurring pattern~ with respect to the experience/treatment of Bleck/Hispanic applicants for such position~; (ii) examine proce~s by which training officers are selected, (~, Topic 4) with respect to qualifications and selection or minority officers as field training ot!icers; {iii) conduct interviews with minority orr1cers regarding the perception of real opportunities for progress and promotion of minorities within the department. Interviews should preferably include officers currently in supervisory/management positions as well as officers who have applied and were unsuccessful. B. Patterns of "Self Segregation" of Minority pfficers in Division Assignments. In his testimony b&fore the connnission, former Assistant Chief Brewer observed that in selectinq division assignments, Black and Hispanic officers tended to congregate in particular divisions within the department. By way of explanation of this pattern , Chief Brewer expressed the opinion that, to the @xtent the officer has a choice in the matterr see, Topic 6, re: Memorandum #4, minority officers preferred not to work with I01210(997S6Jl06l -11- 20-APR-91 12133:02 2t"d race problems and wanted to work where there is a level of acceptability and a more hospitable environment. He noted, for example, that Black officers tended to congregate in the Wilshire and Southwest Divisions, while Hispanics tended to conqreqate in the Hollenbeck Division. In this regard, the investigation will seek to identify the reasons for the "self-segregation" by minority officersr and to determine if ther@ ar@ divisions within the LAPD with rQputation~ aSi; being ''racist'' or inhospitabl~ to minority officars, and if so, what, if any, action has been takQn by the LAPD administration, fo;t;Jnally or informally, to address this issue. El"d Methodology. In conjunction with etaff working on materials for Topic 6 of the Report, ~taff propo~es the following action: (i) review of assignment rosters for the department to ascertain the allocation of minority officers among divis1ong within the LAPD; (ii) to the extent feasible, determine which assignments of minority officers were (a) voluntary 101210(99786]1061 -12- 20-APR-91 12:33:02 selections under Memorandum #4 or (b) departmental decisions; (iii) interview, on a random basi8, minority off leers self selecting assignments in divisions with s1gn1tican~ numbers or members or the same minority group regar~ing reasons ror cnoice of assignment; (iv} interview LAPD supervisory;command personnel regarding the composition of the ranks of sworn personnel at certain of the divisions in the. department identified as inhospitable to minorities and any departmental response/action concerning such reputations. c. Minority Officers Experiences/Perceptions of Environment Within LAPD With Respect to Racial/Ethnic Bias and Discrimination. one of the most important sources cf information about the LAPD and the existence and extent of racial/ethnic bias and discrirninationr within the community as well as the dapartl?lQnt will b~ minority police officers. Mothodology. Staff will conduct a £orios of interview• with individual strGot lovQl and supervisory officers, ft~ well as representatives of local minority law enforcement a~eociations and orqani~ations, inoludin9 local I01210[99786JlO~l -13- zo-APR-91 12:33:02 branch~s of national organizations. Included among the individual officers which WQ havQ thus far idQntifiad as prospective interviewees are Garland Hardeman, Don Williams, Floyd A. Henry, Janice Bovey and Kevin H. Williams, all of whom contributed to an April 15, 1991 article in the Loe Angeles Times concerning the experiences of Black officers in the LAPD since the King incident. In addition, staff will request the names of all minority orticers in the LAPD. on a random basis, staff will conduct [~OJ interviews ot orr1cers at each personnel level, Police Officer r-Il!, sergeant !-II and Detective I-III. The minority law enforcement organizations which staff has identified and will contact for interviews include: (i) Association of Black Law Enforcement St"d Officers; (ii) La Ley, the Union of Hispanic Law Enforcement Officers: 101210[99786]1061 -14- 20-APR-91 12:33:03 1S:11 16, 02 ~d~ (iii) Latin American Law Enforcement Association; and (iv) National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 101210(99786]1061 -15- 20-APR-91 12:33:03 APPENDIX I MINORITY COMMUNITY CONTACTS (PROPOS2D - SUBJECT TO CHANGE) African-American DANNY B>.J(EWELL BROTHERHOOD CRUSADE 200 E. Slauson Avenuo Loa Af\9elo•, CA 213 - ~31-2171 FAXt 213 - 235-553' JOSEPH DUPP NAACP 2~07 w. Vernon Drive to• Angeles, CA 213 - 29,-2630 PAX: 213 - 294-9435 213 - 563-4800 (Drew Sahool) CONNIE R%CB If AACP - LOP 213 - 624-2405 PAX: 213 - 624-0075. GEORGE MALLORY t.AHGSTON LAW CLUB 213 - 470-2804 JOlllf KACIC I.A URBAN LEAGUE 34'0 Jlt. V•rnon Drive Loa Angele•, CA 90001 213 - 299-9610 FAX: 213 - 2tt-oe1a AL HUDSOll' BROADWAY l"SDDAL 4501 south Broadway Lo• Anqalea, CA 90037 4!1l - a:sa·4~7l PAX: 213 - 232-1403 TED WATKINS LllOR Jiii LAWSOlf SCLC ..-ia ... ·-- - FRANK HIGCINS BAPTIST MIHISTERS CONFERENCE IVAN HotJSTON COLDEM STl.T2 INSURAHC£ ANN SHAW COMMUNITY ACTIVIST BONDIE CAXBRELL COMMERCIAL t;UARDIAJI sass · centir.ela. Lo• Angolea, CA 900'5 213 - 6-45-4886 Z.L. BROWM AME CHURCH Hi1paniq RAUL AYAIA, ESQ. PRESIDENT Mexicen Allerioan Bar AGeooiation 213 - 365-3400 TERESA EUSTILLOS, ESQ. SAPERSTEIN, SBLIGMAH, MAYEDA i. LARJCIH 10951 Weat Pico Blvd., 3rd Ploor Lo• Angeles, CA 900'4 213 - 474-7790 (BJDployment Practices) - LlC. JOSE ANTOlflO OR'l'IZ-PEDRAZA CONSUL OF ClTIZBH PROTECTIVE SERVICES coneulat• General of Mexico ~401 Ea•t Sixth Street LO• Angelee, CA 90097 213 .. 3~1-025 (Brut.11ty/deatluf of Maxican nationals) - ID H:IJlRlm& c:BAIJtPDSOlf Hi•panlc Advisory co .. ittee to IAPD 213 - 444-1138 - DR. AIUIMDO llOMLES UCLA .JfEURO-PSICHIATRIC IRSTITUTI (Police-comaunity Relation•> ....... 81"d 6l"d _. DR. GIDRIA ROMERO Depart.ant of Socioloqy cal State,. LA Dtl. DIBGO VIGIL ~ :A J/J.1 J, ? Departaent ot AnthropolOCJY ~ (Cllft9 Violence) MR. LUPE OE LA CRUZ POST, Sacramento (Police Traininc; standards) AN'l'OM!A HERNANDBZ K A L D E JI ,3, ·so. sprin9 Street, 11th Floor Lo• Ang@l~•, ~ 9001, 213 - 629-251.2 FAX: ~13 - 629-8016 - LYDll UJPEZ COIDIUHITY YOUTH GANG SERVICE 144 so. Pot~•rly ~v@nua Lo• Anqalea, CA 90022 213 - 2,,_,:I,. PAX: 213 • 2&7-0338 PllJL llONTRZ DIUC!'OR US CIVIL RICHTS COMMISSION, REQZOH 9 3CCO Wil•bir• Boulovard, Suit• 810 Lo9 Angele•, CA 90010 213 - 114•3437 PAXa 213 • 894•0508 S»IJBL R. PAI HISPARIC ADVISORY COllMISSION TO LA.PD 1135 So. C.rf ie14 Aven~• Albllllbra, CA 91101 811 - aa9-4a'' PAX: 811 - a1a~3110 -Lit.A eAlll'08 tJllO 213 - llt-0577 DUllY V%LLMVBVA 213 • t33•t903 ltVDI ACUlfA c& STATZ lfO'_aT_mt_...IDGB, JIISPAM:IC aTUDIBS 811 - 119-2739 ~ .... ..,-MOTHERS OF DS'l' IA :.213 - 264-1892 FRANK VILI.U.DBOS BUSINESS1Wf 213 - 726-7734 JOI SANCHEZ MEXICAN AMERICAN POLITICAL ASSN. 213 - 223-1348 .... MARY SALINAS DtJROH VICE PRESIDENT ' MANAGER Urban • Co11J1Unity Affairs First Interstate Bank ot California 707 Wilshire Boulevard, W35-12 Los Anqeles, CA 90017 213 - 614-3147 PAX: 213 - 614•3611 JGt. JORGE FERNARDIZ ISLA., ESQ. - PRESIDENT CUba.n Aaerican Bar Association 2975 Wilshire Boulevard - Suite 525 Loe Anqeles, Cl 90010 213 - 387-8101 SARAH PLORES FIELD DEPUTY FOR MID AHTOHOVICH 400 Civic Canter Plaza superior court: Rooa I 106 Po11ona, CA 91765 714 - 620-5217 PAX: 714 - 620-3277 - IGHACIO E. IDZAllO, JR. 02"d RD?TOR IM Clll:D La opinion (Spani.ab Kw•paPftr) '11 W. Stb St.r~ Lota .lrMJ•lH, CA IG013 213 - ••&~2~33 VJ:UG 8. KlM'DUr &IQ. PARTllD Jl\lnf•r, Toll•• ' 01•on 351 8. Crand Avenue, 35t.h l'loor Lo9 Angel .. , CA 90071-1110 --·- ... SDGIO MUlfOZ BDITOJt ta Opinion 411 w. 5th Stree~ U>a An9eles, CA 90013 213 - 89CS-2333 MA1tTlfA C.. DE LA TOMB PRESIDENT El c12siticado (Spanish Maqazine) 790 s. Ferr39 Avenue !Qs AnCJeles, CA 90022 313 - 263-6649 JULIO JI. TORRES, K.D. PHYSIC:IAH Torres Medical center 25636 Narbonne Avenue I.ml1ta, CA 90717 4113 • 326-3214 - CAJUllEN ZAPATA PRODUCING DIRECTOR l2"d B111nqual Foundation of th• Arts 421 N. · Avenue ig I.Qa Angeles, CA 90031 213 - 225-4044 Ali an WILLIAM G. OUCHI PROPFUSOR UCLA Anderson Graduate School •OS Hilgard Avenue Loe Angeles, CA 90024 213 - 825-5841 PAX: J.D. HOIOYAllA IX. DIUCTOR or I.ZAP (Include• aeveral A•ian Group.e) 213 - 481-1422 TORG soo annrc; PARTRBll • UJI I ARDJtElfS ArQO C•nter Bld9. Suite 2100 1055 w. 7th Street Lo8 Anaele•, CA 90017 213 - 484•9853 -. ... \ . XYtJJf G WON LIB EDITOR, ENGLISH EDITION Th• Korea TiJles 141 M. Vermont Loa Angeles, o. 213 - 487-5323 YANC IL l:IM PRESIDENT, KOREAN AMERICAN GROCERS ASSOCIATION 213 - 921-6883 CBOOM HOON LIM DIRECTOR/ANCHOR Radio Koraa 2001 W. Olympic Boulevard Lo• Anqale•, CA 90004 ..........
Object Description
Title | Commission meetings: overview and summary of Commission workplan, 1991-04-17 - 1991-04-22 |
Description | Commission meetings: overview and summary of Commission workplan, 1991 April 17-22. PART OF A SERIES: Materials in the series fall into one of several categories related to the Independent Commission's work product: (1) Commission meeting materials, which include meeting agendas, work plans, memoranda, and articles about police misconduct that were circulated and reviewed during the Commission's internal meetings; (2) public correspondence, which includes citizen complaints against the LAPD in the form of written testimony, articles, and an audio cassette tape, as well as letters drafted by citizens in support of the LAPD; (3) summaries of interviews held with LAPD officers regarding Departmental procedures and relations; (4) public meeting materials, which include transcripts, supplementary documents, and witness statements that were reviewed at the Commission's public meetings; (5) press releases related to the formation and work product of the Commission; and (6) miscellaneous materials reviewed by the Commission during its study, including LAPD personnel and training manuals, a memorandum of understanding, and messages from the LAPD's Mobile Digital Terminal (MDT) system. |
Coverage date | 1991-04-18; 1991-04-19; 1991-04-22; 1991-05-01 |
Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California |
Date created | 1991-04-17/1991-04-20; 1991-04-22 |
Type | texts |
Format | 81 p. |
Format (aat) |
memorandums plans (reports) |
Format (imt) | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
Part of collection | Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department, 1991 |
Series | Independent Commission File List |
File | Commission meetings: overview and summary of Commission workplan |
Box and folder | box 21, folder 36 |
Provenance | The collection was given to the University of Southern California on July 31, 1991. |
Rights | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. |
Physical access | Contact: Special Collections, Doheny Memorial Library, Libraries, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189; specol@dots.usc.edu |
Repository name | USC Libraries Special Collections |
Repository address | Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 |
Repository email | specol@dots.usc.edu |
Filename | indep-box21-36 |
Description
Title | Independent Commission workplan topic 11, 1991-04-20 |
Description | Section 8: Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department workplan, topic 11. Racial and ethnic bias / discrimination / harassment, 1991 April 20. |
Date created | 1991-04-20 |
Type | texts |
Format | 22 p. |
Format (aat) | plans (reports) |
Format (imt) | application/pdf |
Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
Series | Independent Commission File List |
File | Commission meetings: overview and summary of Commission workplan |
Box and folder | box 21, folder 36, item 10 |
Physical access | Contact: Special Collections, Doheny Memorial Library, Libraries, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189; specol@dots.usc.edu |
Full text | • • • • • • • • • - . ~ TOPIC 11. WORKING OUTLINE RACIAL AND ETHNIC BIAS/ DISCRIMINATION/ HARASSMENT Introduction. DRAFT There have been numerous and vocal allegations by leaders and members of minority communities in Los Angeles, particularly the Black community, as well as from the public at large that the beating of Rodney King was , in large part, racially motivated. In the aftermath of the King incident, the minority communities have reiterated the complaint that LAPD officers routinely treat minorities in a racist manner, evidenced by verbal abuse, including racially derogatory comments, harassmant and a greater tendency, unwarranted by thG circumsztancQs, to us@ force, and excessive force, again~t minoritias_ Thie portion of thQ rQport will addrca~s: the issues of racism and raoially/ethnioally motivated conduct on the part of the LAPD with respect to th9 minority communiti~s, as well as the trt~tment within the department of minority police otticers. Testimony presented to the Commission to date and other research by starr suqgests three discrete, though 101210(99786]1061 -1- 20-APR-91 12:32:59 2"d relatedr areas or inquiry which the invee~igation ~hould pursue. I. WORKING CULTURE OF LAPD. The investigation will seek to determine if the environment or culture within tne LAPD 1s one wn1cn tolerates or encourages racial and ethnic bias on the part of police officers which tends to translate into racially/ethnically motivated conduct by police ~ff1cers in dealing with citizens in minority communities. The transcript of computer transmissions between squad cars and the watch commander's office of LAPD's Foothill Division on the night of the King beating, rGf lQcting conv9rsation of two of the officers who took part in tha k>Gating, contains offensive, racially derogatory comment~ made by thosa officers. Some community leaders E"d have evidenced a concern that the comments reflect a pervasive attitude of racism among LAPD officers. It will therefore be important to establish if such comments and behavior are commonplace among Foothill and other divisions within the LAPD, and if so, what actions, if any, have been taken by the department to discourage such behavior and the attitudes it reflects. I01210[g9786]1061 ZO•APR-91 12:33:00 ~·d Methodology. rn re!erence to this aspect of the inquiry, staff proposes the following actions: review of transcripts or police computer transmissions for several geographically strategic divisions during the year preceding the King incident and tne period since March 3; to the extent available, review audiotapes ot radio car transmissions for a comparable period; review of records of departmental disciplinary actions against officers related to racially/ethnically derogatory comments/verbal abuse/harassment of minority review police academy and in-service training matQrials relat.Gd to roanaginq racial/ethnic diversity and human rQlatiomi; interviews of polica officers (minority and majority) on a random baeie to accertain attitudeg toward and reaction to police "working oul ture. '' 101210(99786]1061 20-APR-91 12:33:00 Expert and Teohnical Consultant ServM.tces. To assi5t etaf £ in undor~tanding the more subtle manifestations of raoism and biaG ! as WQll a~ to assist in the development of appropriate investigative techniques, staff will seek to interview Dr. Martin RQadQr, LAFD'S chief psychologist, as well as to interview (with tho assistance of deputy general coun~el Larry Gotlieh) retirsd UCLA medical school psychiatry profe~sors Loui~ West and Judd Marmur and or. Peter Gruenberg, pre5ident of the Psychiatric Society ot Los Angeles. To assist start in aecipnering and tranelatinq what may be "coded" language in tne computer transcripts, we will seek the services of one or more, preferably recently retired, LAPD officer as an unpaid statf consultant. S"d Depending upon the volume and manageability of the computer transcripts, staff will consider using the technical services of a computer programming specialist to design software programs to facilitate and expedite the prooass of review and analysis of the transcripts. II. PATTERNS OF RACIALyY MOTIVATED CONDUCT :SY LAPD IN DEALING WITH MINORITIES. I01210[997S6]106l -4- 20-APR-91 12:33:00 The invastigation will seek to determine if there i~ evidence of disca~nible, p~rsistent patterns of racial/ethnic di~crimination and/or harassment in the conduct of LAPD officers with m~mhers of the minority conimunities. This ar9a of inva~tigation will consist of two components: interaction of policQ with minorities "on the streets" and the experiences of minoritiQs in utilizing ~epartmental complaint procedures. A. Street Interaction. Alle9ationa of polic~ racism and discrimination in encounters betwagn minorities and police ten~ to fall into three broad categories: (1) verbal abuse/harassment where no arro~t is made; (ii) the use or tactics intended primarily to humiliate or intimidate, such as the "proned-out" position, or instigating attacks by police dogs; an~ (iii) unwarranted and excessive use ot force. B. U~ilization of LAPD Personnel Complaint Procedure. Evidence presented to the Commission suggests -5- 20-APR-91 12:33:00 that many of the citizen complaints lodged against police officers for misconduct are made by minorities. There have also been continuing allegations by members of the minority communities that the LAPD has been, on the whole, unresponsive to such complaints, and that generally, the existing d~partmental procedur~s for personnel complaints are an ineffective means of redress for minorities& MQthodo1oq¥• materials in other areas of study, with staff working on ~taf f proposQ~ to review and analyze reoorde of LAPD relating to (i) complaints filed during the last five yeare by minorities againet the LAPD officer~, with a particular focu5 on complcint5 alle9ing use of excessive force and racial harassment/discrimination, including the ultimate disposition of the complaint and any resulting discip1inary action taken against the officers(s) involved; and ~·d (ii) arrest reports indicating use of rorce or medical treatment o! the arrestee following detention or arrest where h~ or she is a minority, and reports of any related departmental review or other action initiated on the basis of information in the arrest report. In addition, staff proposes to conduct interviews of the leadership and members of representative minority 101210(99786]1061 -6- 20-APR-91 12:33:01 organizations in the conutunity regarding experiences and relations with the LAPD, includinq tha p~rceivad eff~ctiveness of community relations programs established by LAPD. An initial working list of such persons and orqanizations is attachQd 3s Appgndi~ I. Expert~ and Con&ultant~. To a~ai~t in thQ dQaign and structure of appropriate questions and tQchniqu9s for the interviews of private citizens and group repreeentativee, staff will enlist the aseietance of a leading social ecienti~t/p~ychologi:5t to help maximiee the utility and reliability of the inforruetion elici~ed in the interviews. III. CULTURE OF DIVERSITY WITHIN LAPD. ot no less signiticance in examining the issue ot racism in tne LAPO is tne status an~ experience or minority police o!t1cers within tne aepartmen~. I01210C9978611061 -7- 20-APR-91 12%33:01 8"d A. Blake consent Decree. In 1973, Fanchon Blake initiated a civil suit against the City of Los Angeles, LAPD and others alleging sex discrimination in the promotion of female police officers above the rank of sergeant. In 1977, the U.S. Attorney General filed an action against the City and the LAPD alleging emplorrnent discrimination on the basis of sex, race and national origin for sworn officer positions. In the settlement of these actions, the City and the LAPD agreed to a consent decree which prescribed an affirmative action program to recruit and hire minority and fQmale candidates as sworn officers. According to a July, 1290 study conductQd by thG ClarGmont GraduatQ Schoel (Claremont Study) on tha impact of the Blake con~ent dQcrQe, citing figure$ provided by the LAPD, in 1990, of LAPD sworn pQrsonnol, Blacks oomprisgd 13.2% (comparQd to €.7% in 19BO) and Hispanics comprised 20.4% (compared to 10.7% in l9BO). While there ha5 been a significant increase in the overall representation of minorities among the swotn personnel of the LAPD, the Claremont Study indicates several areas of concern affectin9 the pro9res3 and succes~ of minoritie5 in the department. I01210[99786]l06l -8- 20-APR-91 12:33:01 6"d An inquiry into such issues for purposes of de~ermin!ng compliance with the Blake ccnsent decree is, of course, beyond .the scope of the charge of the Commission. However, some level of examinatton of these issues would be appropriate to help determine if one or more such factors contribute to a perception among minority officers of racial/ettmic bias or discrimination within the department which may adversely affect the job performance of minority officers and the rnanner in which they relate to the minority communities. These areas of concern include: (i) Minorities in Investigative, Supervisory and Management Positions. The Claremont Study indicates that in 1990, Blacks and Hispanics together comprised 18.4% (8.0% and 10.4~, respti;.ctively) of ~taff, command and supervisory positions1 in LAPD. Of the DQtective positions within tho dopartmont, Blacks;; and His:panio~ compri;:'-d an aggregate 44.7%2 (6.5% and 18.2%, r~spQctiv~ly) • .!I Staff positions con~ist of Commender, Deputy Chief, A~~i~tcnt Chief and Chief. Command po=itions con~ist of Cftptains only. Supervisory positions con~ist of Ser9e~nt o.nd Lieutenant.. 1f Datective positions consist of Detective I, II and II!. I01210(99785]10el -9- 20-APR-91 12:JJ:ol (ii) Minorities as Training Officers. While not specifically addressed by the Claremont Study, a related issue is the degree of participation by minorities as training officers. Present evidence suggests that few of the minority and female sworn officers are involved as field training otf icers; and (iii) Minority Officer Attrition. The Claremont study indicates that for Black off i~ers in particular the field probation attrition rate (i . . e., rate of terminations during the first year following graduation from the academy) has been disproportionately higher than for other groups, including Hispanics. The Claremont study also discloses that over the period of the study, 1981-89, a relatively greater percentage of Blacks were terminated for poor "duty performance," poor "record writing" and resigned "in lieu of" termination. Methodology. In conjunction with staff working on materials for Chapter 5 of the Report, staff proposes the following action: (i) review ~tati~tic~ and r~eordc of tho dopartmont ralatinq to appointments to suparvi~ory and management positions within the dapartmant ovar tha lagt 101210[99796]1061 -10- 20-APR-91 12:33:02 H"d five yeara to determine if there are any npparent recurring pattern~ with respect to the experience/treatment of Bleck/Hispanic applicants for such position~; (ii) examine proce~s by which training officers are selected, (~, Topic 4) with respect to qualifications and selection or minority officers as field training ot!icers; {iii) conduct interviews with minority orr1cers regarding the perception of real opportunities for progress and promotion of minorities within the department. Interviews should preferably include officers currently in supervisory/management positions as well as officers who have applied and were unsuccessful. B. Patterns of "Self Segregation" of Minority pfficers in Division Assignments. In his testimony b&fore the connnission, former Assistant Chief Brewer observed that in selectinq division assignments, Black and Hispanic officers tended to congregate in particular divisions within the department. By way of explanation of this pattern , Chief Brewer expressed the opinion that, to the @xtent the officer has a choice in the matterr see, Topic 6, re: Memorandum #4, minority officers preferred not to work with I01210(997S6Jl06l -11- 20-APR-91 12133:02 2t"d race problems and wanted to work where there is a level of acceptability and a more hospitable environment. He noted, for example, that Black officers tended to congregate in the Wilshire and Southwest Divisions, while Hispanics tended to conqreqate in the Hollenbeck Division. In this regard, the investigation will seek to identify the reasons for the "self-segregation" by minority officersr and to determine if ther@ ar@ divisions within the LAPD with rQputation~ aSi; being ''racist'' or inhospitabl~ to minority officars, and if so, what, if any, action has been takQn by the LAPD administration, fo;t;Jnally or informally, to address this issue. El"d Methodology. In conjunction with etaff working on materials for Topic 6 of the Report, ~taff propo~es the following action: (i) review of assignment rosters for the department to ascertain the allocation of minority officers among divis1ong within the LAPD; (ii) to the extent feasible, determine which assignments of minority officers were (a) voluntary 101210(99786]1061 -12- 20-APR-91 12:33:02 selections under Memorandum #4 or (b) departmental decisions; (iii) interview, on a random basi8, minority off leers self selecting assignments in divisions with s1gn1tican~ numbers or members or the same minority group regar~ing reasons ror cnoice of assignment; (iv} interview LAPD supervisory;command personnel regarding the composition of the ranks of sworn personnel at certain of the divisions in the. department identified as inhospitable to minorities and any departmental response/action concerning such reputations. c. Minority Officers Experiences/Perceptions of Environment Within LAPD With Respect to Racial/Ethnic Bias and Discrimination. one of the most important sources cf information about the LAPD and the existence and extent of racial/ethnic bias and discrirninationr within the community as well as the dapartl?lQnt will b~ minority police officers. Mothodology. Staff will conduct a £orios of interview• with individual strGot lovQl and supervisory officers, ft~ well as representatives of local minority law enforcement a~eociations and orqani~ations, inoludin9 local I01210[99786JlO~l -13- zo-APR-91 12:33:02 branch~s of national organizations. Included among the individual officers which WQ havQ thus far idQntifiad as prospective interviewees are Garland Hardeman, Don Williams, Floyd A. Henry, Janice Bovey and Kevin H. Williams, all of whom contributed to an April 15, 1991 article in the Loe Angeles Times concerning the experiences of Black officers in the LAPD since the King incident. In addition, staff will request the names of all minority orticers in the LAPD. on a random basis, staff will conduct [~OJ interviews ot orr1cers at each personnel level, Police Officer r-Il!, sergeant !-II and Detective I-III. The minority law enforcement organizations which staff has identified and will contact for interviews include: (i) Association of Black Law Enforcement St"d Officers; (ii) La Ley, the Union of Hispanic Law Enforcement Officers: 101210[99786]1061 -14- 20-APR-91 12:33:03 1S:11 16, 02 ~d~ (iii) Latin American Law Enforcement Association; and (iv) National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 101210(99786]1061 -15- 20-APR-91 12:33:03 APPENDIX I MINORITY COMMUNITY CONTACTS (PROPOS2D - SUBJECT TO CHANGE) African-American DANNY B>.J(EWELL BROTHERHOOD CRUSADE 200 E. Slauson Avenuo Loa Af\9elo•, CA 213 - ~31-2171 FAXt 213 - 235-553' JOSEPH DUPP NAACP 2~07 w. Vernon Drive to• Angeles, CA 213 - 29,-2630 PAX: 213 - 294-9435 213 - 563-4800 (Drew Sahool) CONNIE R%CB If AACP - LOP 213 - 624-2405 PAX: 213 - 624-0075. GEORGE MALLORY t.AHGSTON LAW CLUB 213 - 470-2804 JOlllf KACIC I.A URBAN LEAGUE 34'0 Jlt. V•rnon Drive Loa Angele•, CA 90001 213 - 299-9610 FAX: 213 - 2tt-oe1a AL HUDSOll' BROADWAY l"SDDAL 4501 south Broadway Lo• Anqalea, CA 90037 4!1l - a:sa·4~7l PAX: 213 - 232-1403 TED WATKINS LllOR Jiii LAWSOlf SCLC ..-ia ... ·-- - FRANK HIGCINS BAPTIST MIHISTERS CONFERENCE IVAN HotJSTON COLDEM STl.T2 INSURAHC£ ANN SHAW COMMUNITY ACTIVIST BONDIE CAXBRELL COMMERCIAL t;UARDIAJI sass · centir.ela. Lo• Angolea, CA 900'5 213 - 6-45-4886 Z.L. BROWM AME CHURCH Hi1paniq RAUL AYAIA, ESQ. PRESIDENT Mexicen Allerioan Bar AGeooiation 213 - 365-3400 TERESA EUSTILLOS, ESQ. SAPERSTEIN, SBLIGMAH, MAYEDA i. LARJCIH 10951 Weat Pico Blvd., 3rd Ploor Lo• Angeles, CA 900'4 213 - 474-7790 (BJDployment Practices) - LlC. JOSE ANTOlflO OR'l'IZ-PEDRAZA CONSUL OF ClTIZBH PROTECTIVE SERVICES coneulat• General of Mexico ~401 Ea•t Sixth Street LO• Angelee, CA 90097 213 .. 3~1-025 (Brut.11ty/deatluf of Maxican nationals) - ID H:IJlRlm& c:BAIJtPDSOlf Hi•panlc Advisory co .. ittee to IAPD 213 - 444-1138 - DR. AIUIMDO llOMLES UCLA .JfEURO-PSICHIATRIC IRSTITUTI (Police-comaunity Relation•> ....... 81"d 6l"d _. DR. GIDRIA ROMERO Depart.ant of Socioloqy cal State,. LA Dtl. DIBGO VIGIL ~ :A J/J.1 J, ? Departaent ot AnthropolOCJY ~ (Cllft9 Violence) MR. LUPE OE LA CRUZ POST, Sacramento (Police Traininc; standards) AN'l'OM!A HERNANDBZ K A L D E JI ,3, ·so. sprin9 Street, 11th Floor Lo• Ang@l~•, ~ 9001, 213 - 629-251.2 FAX: ~13 - 629-8016 - LYDll UJPEZ COIDIUHITY YOUTH GANG SERVICE 144 so. Pot~•rly ~v@nua Lo• Anqalea, CA 90022 213 - 2,,_,:I,. PAX: 213 • 2&7-0338 PllJL llONTRZ DIUC!'OR US CIVIL RICHTS COMMISSION, REQZOH 9 3CCO Wil•bir• Boulovard, Suit• 810 Lo9 Angele•, CA 90010 213 - 114•3437 PAXa 213 • 894•0508 S»IJBL R. PAI HISPARIC ADVISORY COllMISSION TO LA.PD 1135 So. C.rf ie14 Aven~• Albllllbra, CA 91101 811 - aa9-4a'' PAX: 811 - a1a~3110 -Lit.A eAlll'08 tJllO 213 - llt-0577 DUllY V%LLMVBVA 213 • t33•t903 ltVDI ACUlfA c& STATZ lfO'_aT_mt_...IDGB, JIISPAM:IC aTUDIBS 811 - 119-2739 ~ .... ..,-MOTHERS OF DS'l' IA :.213 - 264-1892 FRANK VILI.U.DBOS BUSINESS1Wf 213 - 726-7734 JOI SANCHEZ MEXICAN AMERICAN POLITICAL ASSN. 213 - 223-1348 .... MARY SALINAS DtJROH VICE PRESIDENT ' MANAGER Urban • Co11J1Unity Affairs First Interstate Bank ot California 707 Wilshire Boulevard, W35-12 Los Anqeles, CA 90017 213 - 614-3147 PAX: 213 - 614•3611 JGt. JORGE FERNARDIZ ISLA., ESQ. - PRESIDENT CUba.n Aaerican Bar Association 2975 Wilshire Boulevard - Suite 525 Loe Anqeles, Cl 90010 213 - 387-8101 SARAH PLORES FIELD DEPUTY FOR MID AHTOHOVICH 400 Civic Canter Plaza superior court: Rooa I 106 Po11ona, CA 91765 714 - 620-5217 PAX: 714 - 620-3277 - IGHACIO E. IDZAllO, JR. 02"d RD?TOR IM Clll:D La opinion (Spani.ab Kw•paPftr) '11 W. Stb St.r~ Lota .lrMJ•lH, CA IG013 213 - ••&~2~33 VJ:UG 8. KlM'DUr &IQ. PARTllD Jl\lnf•r, Toll•• ' 01•on 351 8. Crand Avenue, 35t.h l'loor Lo9 Angel .. , CA 90071-1110 --·- ... SDGIO MUlfOZ BDITOJt ta Opinion 411 w. 5th Stree~ U>a An9eles, CA 90013 213 - 89CS-2333 MA1tTlfA C.. DE LA TOMB PRESIDENT El c12siticado (Spanish Maqazine) 790 s. Ferr39 Avenue !Qs AnCJeles, CA 90022 313 - 263-6649 JULIO JI. TORRES, K.D. PHYSIC:IAH Torres Medical center 25636 Narbonne Avenue I.ml1ta, CA 90717 4113 • 326-3214 - CAJUllEN ZAPATA PRODUCING DIRECTOR l2"d B111nqual Foundation of th• Arts 421 N. · Avenue ig I.Qa Angeles, CA 90031 213 - 225-4044 Ali an WILLIAM G. OUCHI PROPFUSOR UCLA Anderson Graduate School •OS Hilgard Avenue Loe Angeles, CA 90024 213 - 825-5841 PAX: J.D. HOIOYAllA IX. DIUCTOR or I.ZAP (Include• aeveral A•ian Group.e) 213 - 481-1422 TORG soo annrc; PARTRBll • UJI I ARDJtElfS ArQO C•nter Bld9. Suite 2100 1055 w. 7th Street Lo8 Anaele•, CA 90017 213 - 484•9853 -. ... \ . XYtJJf G WON LIB EDITOR, ENGLISH EDITION Th• Korea TiJles 141 M. Vermont Loa Angeles, o. 213 - 487-5323 YANC IL l:IM PRESIDENT, KOREAN AMERICAN GROCERS ASSOCIATION 213 - 921-6883 CBOOM HOON LIM DIRECTOR/ANCHOR Radio Koraa 2001 W. Olympic Boulevard Lo• Anqale•, CA 90004 .......... |
Filename | indep-box21-36-10.pdf |
Archival file | Volume67/indep-box21-36-10.pdf |