HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Shielded from Justice: Police Brutality and Accountability in the United States
Los Angeles:

Police Administration/
Internal Affairs

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The Board of Police Commissioners (Police Commission) is made up of five civilians, appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council; the commissioners serve on a part-time basis. Its president, Edith R. Perez, has served on the board since 1992. The police chief, also appointed by the mayor, serves under the supervision of the Police Commission for a five-year term that must beapproved and may be extended by the commission.99 In August 1997, Bernard C. Parks was appointed the new chief.100 Katherine Mader is the first inspector general, and was hired in July 1996; the inspector general reports to the Police Commission.101 Human Rights Watch requested an interview or a response to written questions from Chief Parks, Commission President Perez, and Inspector General Mader. After a delay there was a response from the Internal Affairs Group commander, on behalf of Chief Parks, and Inspector General Mader was interviewed by Human Rights Watch. There was no response from Commissioner Perez.102



99 As required by the voter-approved Charter Amendment F in 1992.

100 Parks, who joined the force in 1965, has a reputation for dealing appropriately with officers who use excessive force or who are involved in other misconduct. According to the Inspector General, he is a stronger disciplinarian than his predecessor. Telephone interview, Inspector General Mader, April 20, 1998.

101 The inspector general serves at the pleasure of the police commissioners and may be removed if three out of five commissioners vote to replace him or her. Telephone interview, Inspector General Mader, April 20, 1998.

102 At the time of this writing there were press reports describing increasing tensions between the Police Commission and the Office of the Inspector General. It was suggested that the Police Commission had become protective of Chief Parks and some of its members were not pleased with the criticisms of the department put forth in the OIG's reports. Critics of the commission also told reporters that it had become a "rubber stamp" for the new chief. Lait, "LAPD watchdog commission napping," Los Angeles Times, May 11, 1998.

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© June 1998
Human Rights Watch