In any functional democracy, there is a delicate relationship
between the civilian citizens and those entrusted with the use of
force. When police officers and their supervisors exhibit
corruption, that relationship is seriously undermined, leading to a
multitude of related problems.
For years, the Los Angeles Police Department has been
periodically plagued by numerous forms of corruption, including the
unjustified use of force, evidence planting and officers who break
various common laws. Each and every case of police misconduct
weakens the bond between those who “protect” and those
who are protected.
Significantly, the civilian-police relationship is further
eroded when police departments have a dysfunctional internal
investigation process. For this reason, the LAPD must address
recent Los Angeles Times reports that the LAPD Professional
Standards Bureau failed to properly report 96 cases of alleged
police misconduct.
In perhaps the most shocking case, a police officer allegedly
attacked the ex-lover of his girlfriend and then made the man walk
on broken glass. However, in this case and 95 others, written
complaints were not turned in to the district attorney until after
the statute of limitations had passed, thereby precluding any
criminal charges against the officers.
This passive protection of police officers is as offensive and
wrong as any direct obstruction of justice. By definition, the
police are given special powers of investigation and force, and
they must be trusted to use these powers evenly ““ even when
that means using them against their own.
It is understandable that police officers do not want to blow
the whistle on their comrades. They have a difficult and dangerous
job which naturally creates a sense of brotherhood among their
ranks. However, this means that supervisors and LAPD leaders have a
crucial role as overseers of the force. There must be a functional
internal justice system that circumvents the emotions of individual
officers and tight-knit units.
In fact, the blame does not lie solely with the LAPD internal
process. Records show the District Attorney failed to press charges
in at least 345 cases since 2001. This represents a significant
number of people who could have been affected by police misconduct
““ people who will not see justice done.
In many ways, the failure to bring police officers to justice
can be seen as having a domino effect on society. Breaking news
reports of misconduct naturally receive more press coverage than
the less dramatic punishment of the behaviors. Worse, when that
punishment is inconsistent, the public’s image of rampaging
officers is reinforced. After years of this pattern, the law
enforcement process itself is threatened by the breakdown in trust
between the public and the police force.
Ultimately, an effective internal investigation system is
necessary to root out bad officers. Only by replacing bad officers
““ and bringing borderline cases into line ““ can the
LAPD reform itself.
William Bratton, the new LAPD chief, has a both an opportunity
and a responsibility: He must create a new working relationship
between the LAPD and the community it serves.