Ex-falicemanT:\
<*f*Kixm,^*jv**\
Ernest Valdez keeps current on statistics concerning Hjspanic \
promotions within the Los Angeles Police Department as well ?
as on other* department issues, as part of his vow to fight''
discriminatory procedures. The resigned LAPD officer/ wno r
works out of his home in Eagle Rock, says that although he *
knows the situation will not change overnignt, he has committed »
to the cause for "the long haul." . * / ;£■' *?,i-*''''''-v* '.
(Continued FrorrrPage One)—■*
report on Hispanics in the LAPD,
coming up with, he says, results
similar to those found in the
MALDEF report. Both show extensive discriminatation against
Hispanics at every level of the
paygrade and rank advancement
hierarchy, compounding at such a
degree that whites retain nearly as
high a percentage of the top-ranked
. positions as before the affirmative,
action measures were instituted.
data on the possible adverse impact
of any particular testing and selection device is evidence of unlawful
discrimination," the report stated. :
Voters also approved an affirmative action initiative measure effective 1983, the "Rule of Three
Whole Scores," that ordered fall
heads of city government to adjust
often subjective promotional selection policies to be more flexible.
Under the new rule, supervisors
might select one of three top-ranked
officers for a position, rather than
automatically pick the first on the
list, in order to help city departments achieve racial parity with the
Los Angeles work force in
general—a force now composed of
more than 30 percent Hispanics. ; - *
? But Police Chief Daryl Gates exempted the department from the
order, openly refusing even after the
Police Commission specifically
directed Gates to fully adopt the
policy last March.
i Valdez Juts compiled his  own
EXPANDING HIS CRUSADE
How will Valdez continue his
crusade?
"I ask no money from anybody,
and I still continue to press these
issues," he said. "And I will continue even if I dont get any support.
But now I'm starting to say, 'I can't
keep this up forever.' It's a constant
drain, and I need money. I'd like to
send out mailers; I'd like to open up
an office; I'd like to gather support
from other organizations and apply
more political pressure to Bradley,
the police commission, and the
department That's the only way
they'll respond."
Such pressure is necessary, he
says, because Council members
Richard Alatorre and Gloria Molina
have "only reluctantly" addressed
the issue. Though Assemblyman
Richard Polanco visited him to
discuss the issue, he has yet to act,
according to Valdez.
Alatorre, chairman of the Police,
Fire and Safety Committee, "ac-
knowledges there is a problem,"
according to aide Brad Sales.
.„ ."There is no lack of will on the part
,.of the councilman." Sales added
'..that while meetings originally plan-
;.. ned for December or January have
been delayed as the committee
awaits requested information from
the police department; the meetings
will take place "some time in February." ,,■•! -, ' \\ 'w v ,..7 *
!Valdez, meanwhile, says be is
learning that "I've realized I have to
play that political game to get
anything done." , ■'<■ 7 i} l r*
"That political game" involves
gaining support through any means
possible: he has even written pleas
to all-male clubs that have recently
been ordered by city officials to open
.their ranks to minorities and
J women. "I'm trying to make the city
accountable. They should do the
/same  (as ihey expect of other
^groups), or dont do it at ai" Valdez
explained.               ""■** •■£*?«
He also plans to file a suit against
the department, and hopes to in-
(< stigate the reopening of the Blake
case using evidence that the
department has neglected to obey
the precedent-setting ruling.    •
Eventually, Valdez wants to
return to the LAPD. Having applied
to other departments only to find
similar situations, he has returned
to the city where he grew up, and
where he wants to work. "I'm not
going to fight everyone in the
world," he said.
ZZ •*