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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDorner, openness and LAPD
Los Angeles leaders owe the public greater access to records and hearings involving accusations of police misconduct. Police disciplinary boards, where the most serious charges of misconduct are considered, were open to the public for years, and that helped the Los Angeles Police Department on its long trip back from ignominy to esteem. Their closure in recent years, as well as the department's refusal to release the names of officers involved in shootings, threatens to undermine that slowly recovering public confidence.
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The chief's action places him in the awkward position of appearing to favor openness because an alleged murderer has dredged up some messy allegations. Instead, this horrifying episode should serve as a reminder that open proceedings are the standing rebuttal to false accusations. Just as allowing the public to examine allegations of police misconduct helped restore the LAPD's reputation, shielding the department and its employees from such scrutiny allows those charges to fester.
Beck has publicly favored legislation that would allow greater access to records and hearings on alleged misconduct, but the Legislature has refused to pass a bill that would make clear the city's right to do so. This episode should give new impetus to that effort. As the chief noted, he feels an obligation to "reassure the public that their police department is transparent and fair in all the things we do." He's right that the public needs assurance now, but it might not have if Dorner's case, and every other case, been open in the first place.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-0212-dorner-20130212,0,218387.story
SkyDaddy7
(6,045 posts)Every law enforcement agency should NEVER EVER be able to keep anything secret, NOTHING! All cop related shootings should be investigated by an independent panel of elected officials, civic leaders & civilians...No more cops policing cops!!! As long as the cops are allowed to police themselves the problem will only get worse!!
Right now cops are literally untouchable gods who police themselves!!
dtom67
(634 posts)Unfortunately, most American (and many here ) do not wish to over-exert themselves by thinking for themselves. They would rather take the easy position: " fk that mthrfer. He got what he deserved". Seeking deeper meaning or trying to see the ramifications of discarding due process is just asking too much.
Kudos for the post, but the sad truth is that "how great is the President?" or "watching a stupid republican sack 'o crap drink some water " are posts that will get the most responses...