Amendments Target Police, Fire Department Issues

As part of Mayor Richard Riordan’s promise to reform and expand the Los Angeles Police Department, he is backing two measures that would affect police discipline and Police and Fire Department pensions.

Charter Amendment 1 would change the way police officers are disciplined. Among other things, it would extend the time period in which the department can discipline an officer who is the subject of a complaint.

Currently there is a one-year statute of limitations after the filing of a disciplinary complaint. That constraint created problems for the prosecutors who investigated officers involved in the Rampart corruption scandal.

Critics say the measure would give the police chief too much control over the department. Erwin Chemerinsky, chairman of the Charter Reform Commission, said the most disturbing provision would allow the chief to decide when a complaint against an officer becomes public record. This could facilitate a cover-up or release of information for the sake of reprisal, Chemerinsky said.

Supporters, however, contend that the measure simply clarifies existing practice and does not give the chief more or less authority.

Two years ago the Charter Reform Commission considered and rejected changes similar to those proposed in the measure.

Charter Amendment 2 would allow both police and firefighters to accrue pension benefits beyond current limits.

Riordan’s aides said many public safety officers retire and work elsewhere because they have earned the maximum pension available.

The idea is to reduce the number of early retirements while the department actively works on recruitment. The current number of active officers has dropped to 9,100.

Supporters of both measures include Police Chief Bernard C. Parks, Deputy Mayor Rocky Delgadillo, Police Protective League President Mitzi Grasso and council members Mike Feuer, Joel Wachs and Cindy Miscikowski. No significant opposition has emerged.