Rampart independent review panel outlines scope, targets public report by Oct. 1; council members press for neighborhood representation

The Rampart Independent Review Panel, formed under the police commission but operating independently, told the Los Angeles City Council it has expanded its membership and organized into working groups that will review Los Angeles Police Department policies, civilian oversight and the impact of the Rampart scandal.

"We are committed to doing a thorough and independent review," Richard Druyan, general counsel to the panel, said during a council presentation. He told the council the panel had about 146 members, with 121 volunteers and 25 paid investigators, and that the panel had divided into eight working groups covering topics including disciplinary systems, civilian oversight, use of force, training and the Rampart working group itself. "Our target date, mister president, is October 1," Druyan said for public release of a report.

Council members raised concerns about the panel's composition and representation. Council member Goldberg asked for a more detailed ethnic breakdown; Druyan said 36 percent of panel members are minority and 26 percent are women, and provided a breakdown he said was "14% African American, 14% Hispanic, and 6 percent Asian." Goldberg and other members said the panel should include people who have regular, on‑the‑ground experience representing defendants or the communities most affected by alleged abuses; Goldberg urged the panel to accept recommendations on additional members.

Panel counsel Druyan described the panel's investigative access and limits: the panel has access to police personnel and complaint records and is careful not to interfere with pending criminal investigations or prosecutions. He said the panel has interviewed or contacted hundreds of potential sources and was reviewing "hundreds of reports, policies, procedures" including the department's Board of Inquiry materials.

Council members suggested the panel examine other police divisions that have generated high complaint volumes, including Hollenbeck and the 70th Street division, to determine whether problems are isolated or systemic. Council member Pacheco urged the panel not to lose sight of "rogue cops" who might operate outside coordinated scandals and asked the panel to develop ways to identify problem officers across the department.

Druyan said the panel includes a majority of attorneys, plus academics, investigators, community leaders and others; he said volunteers had contributed thousands of hours to date. He emphasized the panel will deliver its report publicly to the police commission at the same time it is released and that the commission and department will not receive an advance or be able to edit the panel's findings.

The council did not take legislative action on the presentation; members asked the panel to return with additional detail as the review proceeds.