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Council approves $25,000 for Police Cadet Explorer equipment after questions about Boy Scouts link
Summary
Council approved $25,000 to buy equipment for the Police Cadet/Explorer program and members debated whether funds might indirectly benefit the Boy Scouts of America; city staff and the police captain said the money will be used only for equipment.
The Los Angeles City Council approved an allocation of $25,000 to provide equipment for the Police Cadet/Explorer program.
Council Member Goldberg raised concerns that the Explorer program's administrative relationship with the Boy Scouts of America could mean city funds indirectly support a private organization that the council member said has a legal right to exclude based on sexual orientation. Captain Charlie Beck of the Police Department's juvenile division responded that the $25,000 would be earmarked for equipment, that many Explorer candidates are low-income and need assistance with uniforms and gear, and that only a small annual fee for liability coverage had historically been paid to the Boy Scouts. He said the department was reviewing any administrative costs and would report back to committee.
Council Member White and other members said committee review had satisfied them that the program administration did not discriminate in practice, and the council approved the item by roll call (14 ayes). Members said they would continue to pursue clarification of administrative costs and any connections to national organizations.
The council's approval authorized the equipment expenditure; staff were asked to provide committee follow-up on administrative costs and safeguards.
