LAPD Officers Take Survey on Department’s Problems

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Rampart corruption scandal, Los Angeles police officers this week have been asked to answer an 11-page questionnaire gauging their opinions on a wide array of ethical and cultural issues within the LAPD.

The survey, which is being conducted by the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers, is confidential and anonymous.

The findings will be used to give policymakers at the LAPD a better understanding of the concerns and views of the rank-and-file.

The bulk of the survey asks officers to indicate whether they strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with 64 different statements about the LAPD.

Some of the statements go to the heart of the alleged abuses that have come to light in the Rampart scandal.

“There is a ‘Code of Silence’ among sworn officers, that prohibits an officer from reporting criminal conduct reported by other officers of the department,” one statement reads.

“I fear retaliation from fellow officers if I were not to go along with fellow officers if they were engaged in criminal conduct,” states another.

Other statements seek to gauge the rank-and-file’s opinions about internal discipline and the department’s top brass.

“When Internal Affairs performs an internal investigation they work to make the process fair to officers,” the survey says at one point.

“Management of the LAPD has a great deal of integrity and honesty,” declares another.

The survey is an outgrowth of the Police Commission’s Rampart Independent Review Panel, which is studying the root causes of police corruption and potential reforms and remedies.

“We want your candid opinions,” the questionnaire’s cover letter states. The survey was sent to all of the more than 9,300 officers on the force.

The questions on the survey have been approved by the police union, the civilian Police Commission and Chief Bernard C. Parks.

Officers have been asked to return the surveys by Aug. 16.