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Union and residents urge council to halt "desivilianization" of LAPD jails; public calls for outside Rampart probe
Summary
Public commenters, including a representative for more than 1,000 civilian LAPD employees, urged the City Council to stop the reported removal of civilian managers from the jail system. Commenters also urged the council to call an outside commission to investigate the Rampart scandal and related police accountability concerns.
Public commenters at the Los Angeles City Council raised labor and accountability concerns about the Los Angeles Police Department’s reported move to remove civilian management from the city jail system and urged outside investigation into wider police misconduct allegations.
Julie Butcher, speaking for more than 1,000 civilian employees who work for the LAPD, said workers were told that effective March 12 civilian management of the jail would end and sergeants and lieutenants would return to manage the jails. "To remove civilian workers from the management structure of the city's jail system is to undo 10 years of progress," Butcher said, calling the change "offensive" and urging the council to stop the move and instead expand civilian roles.
Other members of the public, including Leonard Shapiro, pressed the council to authorize an outside investigation into the Rampart and related police problems, arguing internal processes were insufficient. Shapiro cited historical examples and suggested an external commission along the lines of the Christopher Commission to restore credibility and investigate allegations widely.
Council members did not take immediate action on policy changes to LAPD management at this meeting; the remarks were recorded as part of public comment. The council did not vote on any motion related to LAPD civilian staffing during the session.
