In light of the recent allegations of corruption and
brutality in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart
division, the department has come under increased scrutiny. Do you
feel such criticism is warranted?
NAME: Matthew Alsberg
YEAR: Fifth-year
MAJOR: Political science and sociology
“In Los Angeles, people have known about police oppression
and the unlawful use of force by police officers (before) Rodney
King or the Watts Riots … Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and
unfortunately the policemen of the United States have what amounts
to absolute power … because they can crush you legally or crush
you physically. And to bring it all back to Rampart … this was
just as Malcolm (X) said ““ a case of chickens coming back to
roost. They finally got caught doing what they were doing. And now
that they did get caught, the political power that they have will
certainly be able to get them out of it.”
NAME: Sarosh Qaiser
YEAR: Fourth-year
MAJOR: Psychology
“I think the recent criticism of the LAPD is warranted
just because of the way that they have behaved. But I think that we
should keep in mind that the police department in general is there
to protect and serve us. Obviously, these scandals weaken our
trust, but I think that we need to realize that there are people
who are trustworthy in the police department.”
NAME: Ahmed Chaudry
YEAR: Third-year
MAJOR: Economics
“They’re the police department. They should be
protecting us. I think they should be criticized. If you
can’t trust the police, who can you trust?”
NAME: Catherine Avendano
YEAR: First-year
MAJOR: Pre-business economics
“Because we have to put our trust in an institution like
that and they’re supposed to keep us safe and protect us, not
only is it a given, but it’s our right to criticize them
because. If things are going on that are corrupt, then the
criticism is provoked. I think you can only help the LAPD (by
keeping) them on their toes.”
NAME: Yevgeniy Fotinch
YEAR: Graduate student
MAJOR: Mechanical engineering
“I think that whatever the LAPD does is (done) to protect
us. And no matter what mistakes they make, they’re still
OK.”
NAME: James Macion
YEAR: Fourth-year
MAJOR: Psychology
“I really do feel that the criticism should be severe
because they’re here to serve and protect the people. And if
they’re not doing their job correctly and they’re using
the power to put people down, that’s not right at
all.”
Compiled by Jonah Ramon, Daily Bruin Contributor. Photos by Nghi
Tieu, Daily Bruin Contributor.