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Post by Critique on Jan 8, 2007 4:07:56 GMT -5
Craig Payne
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Post by Critique on Jan 8, 2007 4:07:56 GMT -5
Craig Payne
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Post by Critique on Jan 8, 2007 3:22:46 GMT -5
Jan 07, 2007 Dec. 1, 2006 New Hanover County deputies executing a warrant stormed a house where Peyton Strickland, 18, lived. A deputy thought the sound of the battering ram striking the front door was gunfire and fired, fatally wounding Strickland. Strickland and two friends were suspected of assaulting another student and robbing him of two PlayStation 3 video consoles. July 2, 2002 Cumberland County deputies tossed a flash grenade into a home as part of a no-knock raid. The grenade landed on a couch where Tomika Smith was sitting and left Smith with severe burns. Smith was on a date at the time and not suspected of any crime, her lawyer said. She won a $10,000 settlement in 2004. Oct. 5, 2002 An Emergency Response Team in Brunswick County raided the home of Paul Pelham, 25, after an informant claimed he had bought crack cocaine from Pelham. Pelham said he awakened late at night to the sound of flashbang grenades, reached for his gun and shot at what he thought were intruders. Deputy Steven Lanier was struck in the back and hand. Other officers then opened fire, shooting Pelham 17 times. Pelham was later convicted of assault and drug charges. Feb. 27, 2002 Cumberland County deputies raided the home of Willie Alford, 77, on a narcotics warrant issued for his daughter and two grandchildren. Alford said the officers "came in shooting." Alford's son Charles, who wasn't a suspect, was shot in the arm, legs and side. Police found no weapons in the home. Alford's daughter and the two grandchildren were subsequently arrested. Feb. 15, 2002 More than 100 Durham police officers and 10 SBI agents raided an apartment complex on Cheek Road over two nights. Police arrested 25 people and seized heroin, crack and powder cocaine, marijuana and prescription narcotics. Residents say police were "brutal" and attacked a 13-year-old boy, holding a gun to his head. A judge later declared the operation unconstitutional and threw out the charges. April 13, 1999 A Concord police officer shot 15-year-old Thomas Edwards Jr. as officers entered a home to search for drugs. Edwards and five other teens, ages 13 to 17, were playing video games at the time. The shooting, by Officer Lennie Rivera, was deemed an accident caused by improper gun handling. Dec. 15, 1998 SWAT officers in Raleigh raided the home of Priscilla Clark, who told The News & Observer her first thought was, " 'Oh, my God, someone's coming in here to kill me.' I looked out my bedroom door and saw this big gun coming down the hall and a man dressed in black." Police herded her two children into a bedroom while Clark tried to explain to the officers that they had the wrong house. Police later apologized and admitted they had made a mistake. Sept. 4, 1998 Charlotte police shot and killed Charles Irwin Potts, 56, during a SWAT raid on a house where the owner and neighbors had complained of drug-dealing and illegal liquor sales. Potts was not the target of the raid. Police said he drew a revolver from his waistband as they entered. The officer who shot Potts was cleared of wrongdoing. June 1, 1998 Earl Richardson, 66, was sitting on his couch when the Raleigh Selective Enforcement Unit broke through his door. The officers then forced him to lie on the floor while they rummaged through his belongings in search of guns and drugs. Police did not know that the person they wanted lived in a separate, unmarked apartment at the rear of the house. www.newsobserver.com/164/story/529886.html
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Post by Critique on Jan 8, 2007 3:22:46 GMT -5
Jan 07, 2007 Dec. 1, 2006 New Hanover County deputies executing a warrant stormed a house where Peyton Strickland, 18, lived. A deputy thought the sound of the battering ram striking the front door was gunfire and fired, fatally wounding Strickland. Strickland and two friends were suspected of assaulting another student and robbing him of two PlayStation 3 video consoles. July 2, 2002 Cumberland County deputies tossed a flash grenade into a home as part of a no-knock raid. The grenade landed on a couch where Tomika Smith was sitting and left Smith with severe burns. Smith was on a date at the time and not suspected of any crime, her lawyer said. She won a $10,000 settlement in 2004. Oct. 5, 2002 An Emergency Response Team in Brunswick County raided the home of Paul Pelham, 25, after an informant claimed he had bought crack cocaine from Pelham. Pelham said he awakened late at night to the sound of flashbang grenades, reached for his gun and shot at what he thought were intruders. Deputy Steven Lanier was struck in the back and hand. Other officers then opened fire, shooting Pelham 17 times. Pelham was later convicted of assault and drug charges. Feb. 27, 2002 Cumberland County deputies raided the home of Willie Alford, 77, on a narcotics warrant issued for his daughter and two grandchildren. Alford said the officers "came in shooting." Alford's son Charles, who wasn't a suspect, was shot in the arm, legs and side. Police found no weapons in the home. Alford's daughter and the two grandchildren were subsequently arrested. Feb. 15, 2002 More than 100 Durham police officers and 10 SBI agents raided an apartment complex on Cheek Road over two nights. Police arrested 25 people and seized heroin, crack and powder cocaine, marijuana and prescription narcotics. Residents say police were "brutal" and attacked a 13-year-old boy, holding a gun to his head. A judge later declared the operation unconstitutional and threw out the charges. April 13, 1999 A Concord police officer shot 15-year-old Thomas Edwards Jr. as officers entered a home to search for drugs. Edwards and five other teens, ages 13 to 17, were playing video games at the time. The shooting, by Officer Lennie Rivera, was deemed an accident caused by improper gun handling. Dec. 15, 1998 SWAT officers in Raleigh raided the home of Priscilla Clark, who told The News & Observer her first thought was, " 'Oh, my God, someone's coming in here to kill me.' I looked out my bedroom door and saw this big gun coming down the hall and a man dressed in black." Police herded her two children into a bedroom while Clark tried to explain to the officers that they had the wrong house. Police later apologized and admitted they had made a mistake. Sept. 4, 1998 Charlotte police shot and killed Charles Irwin Potts, 56, during a SWAT raid on a house where the owner and neighbors had complained of drug-dealing and illegal liquor sales. Potts was not the target of the raid. Police said he drew a revolver from his waistband as they entered. The officer who shot Potts was cleared of wrongdoing. June 1, 1998 Earl Richardson, 66, was sitting on his couch when the Raleigh Selective Enforcement Unit broke through his door. The officers then forced him to lie on the floor while they rummaged through his belongings in search of guns and drugs. Police did not know that the person they wanted lived in a separate, unmarked apartment at the rear of the house. www.newsobserver.com/164/story/529886.html
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Post by Critique on Jan 17, 2007 3:45:43 GMT -5
I've said this a hundred times and I'll say it again.
Tasers are not defensive weapons, Tasers are aggressive weapons.
Tasers are but cattle prods to be used against "we the cattle".
Come on! Two highly trained SWAT experts against one 14 year old boy.
Ooooooooh I was so scared said one officer, I damned near shit my pants.
The lesson being taught our young while they are still young is "Don't FUCK with the Gestapo".
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Post by Critique on Jan 17, 2007 3:45:43 GMT -5
I've said this a hundred times and I'll say it again.
Tasers are not defensive weapons, Tasers are aggressive weapons.
Tasers are but cattle prods to be used against "we the cattle".
Come on! Two highly trained SWAT experts against one 14 year old boy.
Ooooooooh I was so scared said one officer, I damned near shit my pants.
The lesson being taught our young while they are still young is "Don't FUCK with the Gestapo".
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Post by Critique on Jan 17, 2007 3:30:38 GMT -5
January 16, 2007 WARREN, Ohio -- A police officer was accidentally shocked by another officer's stun gun while they were trying to subdue a teenager suspected of being drunk, according to a police report. Patrolman Sean Stephens was struck in the head and shocked with a barb from a Taser fired by Sgt. Martin Gargas. The other barb hit the 14-year-old boy, police said. Stephens was treated at a hospital and released. The boy was fighting with officers who were trying to arrest him after curfew early Saturday, police said. He was taken into custody along with a 14-year-old girl who was at the scene. The teens were released to family members after being charged with unruly curfew and underage consumption of alcohol. The boy also was charged with resisting arrest. Warren is about 50 miles southeast of Cleveland. www.newsnet5.com/news/10759190/detail.html
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Post by Critique on Jan 17, 2007 3:30:38 GMT -5
January 16, 2007 WARREN, Ohio -- A police officer was accidentally shocked by another officer's stun gun while they were trying to subdue a teenager suspected of being drunk, according to a police report. Patrolman Sean Stephens was struck in the head and shocked with a barb from a Taser fired by Sgt. Martin Gargas. The other barb hit the 14-year-old boy, police said. Stephens was treated at a hospital and released. The boy was fighting with officers who were trying to arrest him after curfew early Saturday, police said. He was taken into custody along with a 14-year-old girl who was at the scene. The teens were released to family members after being charged with unruly curfew and underage consumption of alcohol. The boy also was charged with resisting arrest. Warren is about 50 miles southeast of Cleveland. www.newsnet5.com/news/10759190/detail.html
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Post by Critique on Dec 30, 2006 3:51:01 GMT -5
December 19, 2006 MAXINE BERNSTEIN When Portland police encountered Sir J. Millage walking barefoot and shirtless in the chill December dawn, carrying what appeared to be a stick or metal rod, they thought he "might be unstable and possibly violent." Witnesses who had spotted Millage walking amid traffic across the Broadway Bridge told police they thought the 5-foot-10 inch, 260-pound person was around 25. An officer later was struck by his "fixed gaze," as if he was looking "right through" him. He did not respond to shouted orders to drop his stick, and, according to the officer, waved it in a threatening manner. One officer fired four Taser shots at Millage, and then another struck him six times with his baton because he wouldn't stay on the ground. They thought Millage was high on drugs. www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/116650410380180.xml&coll=7
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Post by Critique on Dec 30, 2006 3:51:01 GMT -5
December 19, 2006 MAXINE BERNSTEIN When Portland police encountered Sir J. Millage walking barefoot and shirtless in the chill December dawn, carrying what appeared to be a stick or metal rod, they thought he "might be unstable and possibly violent." Witnesses who had spotted Millage walking amid traffic across the Broadway Bridge told police they thought the 5-foot-10 inch, 260-pound person was around 25. An officer later was struck by his "fixed gaze," as if he was looking "right through" him. He did not respond to shouted orders to drop his stick, and, according to the officer, waved it in a threatening manner. One officer fired four Taser shots at Millage, and then another struck him six times with his baton because he wouldn't stay on the ground. They thought Millage was high on drugs. www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/116650410380180.xml&coll=7
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Post by Critique on Jan 10, 2007 14:57:33 GMT -5
1/4/2007 Tampa, Florida — A female police officer used her taser to zap a 69-year-old man when he tried to hit her with his cane. She had just brought him home from a bar where he had been causing trouble, police said. Nathaniel West Youman was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident began when Officer Stephanie Haley was called to Gene's Bar on 22nd St. to remove a man who was causing trouble. He was identified as Youman. She took him home to his caretaker, police said, but he refused to calm down. He began striking his caretaker with his cane and apparently turned and raised the cane at the officer, despite her order to drop it. That's when Officer Haley took out her taser and gave him a jolt. He was taken to the Hillsborough County jail and held on $2,000 bond pending a court appearance expected on Thursday. www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=46549
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Post by Critique on Jan 10, 2007 14:57:33 GMT -5
1/4/2007 Tampa, Florida — A female police officer used her taser to zap a 69-year-old man when he tried to hit her with his cane. She had just brought him home from a bar where he had been causing trouble, police said. Nathaniel West Youman was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident began when Officer Stephanie Haley was called to Gene's Bar on 22nd St. to remove a man who was causing trouble. He was identified as Youman. She took him home to his caretaker, police said, but he refused to calm down. He began striking his caretaker with his cane and apparently turned and raised the cane at the officer, despite her order to drop it. That's when Officer Haley took out her taser and gave him a jolt. He was taken to the Hillsborough County jail and held on $2,000 bond pending a court appearance expected on Thursday. www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=46549
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Post by Critique on Feb 10, 2007 19:57:54 GMT -5
Jan 12, 2007 LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- A man not the father of a child must still pay child support that a court said he owed the mother before he took a paternity test, the state Supreme Court says. The court said Thursday that Anthony L. Parker must catch up on his child-support payments to that point, as the "acknowledged father of the child" until then, even though the test showed he was not, in fact, the father. The ruling reversed a decision by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mary Spencer McGowan and sent the case back to her to determine the amount Parker must pay. The decision, written by Associate Justice Donald L. Corbin, said state law and prior court cases make it clear that an "acknowledged father" cannot be relieved of past-due child support. State law only speaks to a man's future child-support obligations once that person has been found through testing not to be a child's father. Associate Justice Robert L. Brown said in a concurring opinion that the court was "legislating by inference." Brown urged the state Legislature to clarify the law. In the case, the state Office of Child Support Enforcement filed a paternity complaint against Parker on April 18, 2002, but Parker did not respond. McGowan entered a judgment of paternity June 20, 2002, and ordered Parker to pay $24 a week in child support and $4,446 in past-due support. Parker did not pay the money, and the state agency filed a contempt motion against him March 7, 2003. But Parker did not appear for a court hearing on the motion, and the judge issued a pick-up order for him. Before Parker was arrested in March 2005, the state garnished his wages from June 2004 through February 2005. Parker asked for a paternity test and was found not to be the father. The state agency continued to pursue past-due support, but McGowan denied the request Feb. 28, 2006. "To force a man to pay the state ... payments made to a woman for a child that is not his violates all precepts of common law as to who is responsible for supporting a child," McGowan wrote. hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AR_CHILD_SUPPORT_LAW_AROL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-0 1-11-14-03-10
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Post by Critique on Feb 10, 2007 19:57:54 GMT -5
Jan 12, 2007 LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- A man not the father of a child must still pay child support that a court said he owed the mother before he took a paternity test, the state Supreme Court says. The court said Thursday that Anthony L. Parker must catch up on his child-support payments to that point, as the "acknowledged father of the child" until then, even though the test showed he was not, in fact, the father. The ruling reversed a decision by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mary Spencer McGowan and sent the case back to her to determine the amount Parker must pay. The decision, written by Associate Justice Donald L. Corbin, said state law and prior court cases make it clear that an "acknowledged father" cannot be relieved of past-due child support. State law only speaks to a man's future child-support obligations once that person has been found through testing not to be a child's father. Associate Justice Robert L. Brown said in a concurring opinion that the court was "legislating by inference." Brown urged the state Legislature to clarify the law. In the case, the state Office of Child Support Enforcement filed a paternity complaint against Parker on April 18, 2002, but Parker did not respond. McGowan entered a judgment of paternity June 20, 2002, and ordered Parker to pay $24 a week in child support and $4,446 in past-due support. Parker did not pay the money, and the state agency filed a contempt motion against him March 7, 2003. But Parker did not appear for a court hearing on the motion, and the judge issued a pick-up order for him. Before Parker was arrested in March 2005, the state garnished his wages from June 2004 through February 2005. Parker asked for a paternity test and was found not to be the father. The state agency continued to pursue past-due support, but McGowan denied the request Feb. 28, 2006. "To force a man to pay the state ... payments made to a woman for a child that is not his violates all precepts of common law as to who is responsible for supporting a child," McGowan wrote. hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AR_CHILD_SUPPORT_LAW_AROL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-0 1-11-14-03-10
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Post by Critique on Jan 21, 2007 2:01:01 GMT -5
This Proposed Legislation Makes Almost Every Parent A Criminal In The Eyes Of The State
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Post by Critique on Jan 21, 2007 2:01:01 GMT -5
This Proposed Legislation Makes Almost Every Parent A Criminal In The Eyes Of The State
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Post by Critique on Jan 21, 2007 1:55:35 GMT -5
January 21, 2007 California parents could face jail and a fine for spanking their young children under legislation a San Francisco Bay area lawmaker has promised to introduce next week. Democratic assemblywoman Sally Lieber said such a law is needed because spanking victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society. 'I think it's pretty hard to argue you need to beat a child,' Lieber said. 'Is it OK to whip a 1-year-old or a 6-month-old or a newborn?' Lieber said her proposal would make spanking, hitting and slapping a child under 4 years old a misdemeanor. Adults could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Aides to the assemblywoman said they are still working on a definition for spanking. Some Republican lawmakers called the idea ridiculous. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he may be receptive to it even though he has concerns about how the ban would be enforced. The governor said he and his wife, Maria Shriver, did not spank their four children and used alternative methods for discipline. For example, Schwarzenegger said they found it more effective to threaten to take away their children's play time if they didn't do school work. 'They hate that much more than getting spanked,' he told reporters Friday in Los Angeles. California law permits spanking by parents unless the degree of force is excessive or not appropriate for the child's age. www.interestalert.com/story/01200000aaa06add.ap/pkreysa/NATIONAL/national_news.html
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Post by Critique on Jan 21, 2007 1:55:35 GMT -5
January 21, 2007 California parents could face jail and a fine for spanking their young children under legislation a San Francisco Bay area lawmaker has promised to introduce next week. Democratic assemblywoman Sally Lieber said such a law is needed because spanking victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society. 'I think it's pretty hard to argue you need to beat a child,' Lieber said. 'Is it OK to whip a 1-year-old or a 6-month-old or a newborn?' Lieber said her proposal would make spanking, hitting and slapping a child under 4 years old a misdemeanor. Adults could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Aides to the assemblywoman said they are still working on a definition for spanking. Some Republican lawmakers called the idea ridiculous. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he may be receptive to it even though he has concerns about how the ban would be enforced. The governor said he and his wife, Maria Shriver, did not spank their four children and used alternative methods for discipline. For example, Schwarzenegger said they found it more effective to threaten to take away their children's play time if they didn't do school work. 'They hate that much more than getting spanked,' he told reporters Friday in Los Angeles. California law permits spanking by parents unless the degree of force is excessive or not appropriate for the child's age. www.interestalert.com/story/01200000aaa06add.ap/pkreysa/NATIONAL/national_news.html
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Post by Critique on Jan 17, 2007 3:15:42 GMT -5
January 16, 2007 By Duke Helfand An effort to reopen public access to police disciplinary hearings and records in Los Angeles gained momentum Monday when a prominent state senator announced that she would introduce legislation aimed at restoring transparency. Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) said she would put forward a bill by the end of the month to supplant a California Supreme Court ruling last August that led officials to restrict access to police personnel records and disciplinary hearings once open to the public. "If we fail to restore a proper balance, we fall into a state which sanctions and knowingly runs essentially a secret police," Romero said at a news conference before a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in the Crenshaw district. "We have progressed too far to settle for secrecy." Police unions immediately declared their opposition. They said greater openness in confidential police matters would put officers in danger from criminals intent on doing harm — although in past interviews union officials have been unable to point to examples in which open proceedings have compromised an officer's safety. Police Protective League President Bob Baker also insisted that the public's interest is already served by three-member disciplinary Boards of Rights composed of two police officials and one civilian. "Along with other public safety unions, we will fight any legislative efforts that would reduce or remove this right of privacy," Baker said in a statement. The California Peace Officers' Assn. could not be reached for comment. The fight over public access to disciplinary actions stems from the state high court's ruling in Copley Press Inc. vs. Superior Court of San Diego, which restricted public access to law enforcement personnel records. Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo interpreted the ruling as giving officers broad privacy protections. Police Chief William J. Bratton and Police Commission President John Mack said they support greater public openness, but were compelled to close disciplinary hearings — which had been open to the public for decades — because of legal advice from Delgadillo. The issue erupted into a public controversy last week after a Board of Rights secretly cleared Officer Steven Garcia in the shooting death of 13-year-old Devin Brown in 2005. The action came even though the officer's conduct was found to be in violation of department policy by the Police Commission. The city had also agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Brown's family. Civil rights advocates and several members of the Los Angeles City Council criticized the Board of Right's closed-door ruling, saying greater public openness is essential to ensure trust in a Police Department that has long been held in suspicion by some minority communities. The Police Commission is scheduled today to discuss options for bringing more transparency to disciplinary proceedings. The commission sets Police Department policy but cannot discipline officers. Commission President Mack, a former head of the Los Angeles Urban League, said that commissioners have found themselves with "a legal chokehold around our necks … If we are ever going to develop the kind of mutual trust and mutual respect between the Los Angeles Police Department and members of the communities of color — Latinos, African Americans and others — it is important that people know our actions." Romero acknowledged that her legislation must balance officers' privacy rights against the public's right to know about its Police Department. In her comments Monday, she invited police unions to help her craft "restorative language" that would "bring those scales of justice back into a balanced situation," adding: "If we lose the people's trust in any aspect of government, especially in policing, no one is safe." Those sentiments were echoed Monday by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Bratton, who have called for change in wake of the Devin Brown case. "We need open hearings," Villaraigosa said. "The people of this city have a right to know how police officer discipline is conducted, and the officers have a right to make the case to the public." Bratton added: "We have nothing to hide in the Los Angeles Police Department when it comes to this area. Let's get it back to where it was. It's vital for all concerned." www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-secret16jan16,1,4892552.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&ctrack=1&cset=true
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Post by Critique on Jan 17, 2007 3:15:42 GMT -5
January 16, 2007 By Duke Helfand An effort to reopen public access to police disciplinary hearings and records in Los Angeles gained momentum Monday when a prominent state senator announced that she would introduce legislation aimed at restoring transparency. Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) said she would put forward a bill by the end of the month to supplant a California Supreme Court ruling last August that led officials to restrict access to police personnel records and disciplinary hearings once open to the public. "If we fail to restore a proper balance, we fall into a state which sanctions and knowingly runs essentially a secret police," Romero said at a news conference before a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in the Crenshaw district. "We have progressed too far to settle for secrecy." Police unions immediately declared their opposition. They said greater openness in confidential police matters would put officers in danger from criminals intent on doing harm — although in past interviews union officials have been unable to point to examples in which open proceedings have compromised an officer's safety. Police Protective League President Bob Baker also insisted that the public's interest is already served by three-member disciplinary Boards of Rights composed of two police officials and one civilian. "Along with other public safety unions, we will fight any legislative efforts that would reduce or remove this right of privacy," Baker said in a statement. The California Peace Officers' Assn. could not be reached for comment. The fight over public access to disciplinary actions stems from the state high court's ruling in Copley Press Inc. vs. Superior Court of San Diego, which restricted public access to law enforcement personnel records. Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo interpreted the ruling as giving officers broad privacy protections. Police Chief William J. Bratton and Police Commission President John Mack said they support greater public openness, but were compelled to close disciplinary hearings — which had been open to the public for decades — because of legal advice from Delgadillo. The issue erupted into a public controversy last week after a Board of Rights secretly cleared Officer Steven Garcia in the shooting death of 13-year-old Devin Brown in 2005. The action came even though the officer's conduct was found to be in violation of department policy by the Police Commission. The city had also agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Brown's family. Civil rights advocates and several members of the Los Angeles City Council criticized the Board of Right's closed-door ruling, saying greater public openness is essential to ensure trust in a Police Department that has long been held in suspicion by some minority communities. The Police Commission is scheduled today to discuss options for bringing more transparency to disciplinary proceedings. The commission sets Police Department policy but cannot discipline officers. Commission President Mack, a former head of the Los Angeles Urban League, said that commissioners have found themselves with "a legal chokehold around our necks … If we are ever going to develop the kind of mutual trust and mutual respect between the Los Angeles Police Department and members of the communities of color — Latinos, African Americans and others — it is important that people know our actions." Romero acknowledged that her legislation must balance officers' privacy rights against the public's right to know about its Police Department. In her comments Monday, she invited police unions to help her craft "restorative language" that would "bring those scales of justice back into a balanced situation," adding: "If we lose the people's trust in any aspect of government, especially in policing, no one is safe." Those sentiments were echoed Monday by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Bratton, who have called for change in wake of the Devin Brown case. "We need open hearings," Villaraigosa said. "The people of this city have a right to know how police officer discipline is conducted, and the officers have a right to make the case to the public." Bratton added: "We have nothing to hide in the Los Angeles Police Department when it comes to this area. Let's get it back to where it was. It's vital for all concerned." www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-secret16jan16,1,4892552.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&ctrack=1&cset=true
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