LAPD Gang Cops Leaving Posts Rather Than Disclosing Personal Finances Under New Department Rule

By Dennis Romero Tue., Jan. 11 2011 at 1:17 PM

Steve Lyon

Cops are going "code 3" to exit gang units.

Potholes are devouring tires, the city budget is once again a mess, and now there's more bad news this week for the concerned citizens of L.A: Experienced gang cops are abandoning ship. (See the L.A. police union's response, after the jump).

That's right, police assigned to the LAPD's anti-gang units, particularly the one that patrols the Northeast area that's home to the notorious Avenues clique, are transferring to regular patrol duty in order to avoid new financial-reporting requirements that would have the department all up in their bank accounts.

This was confirmed to Associated Press by Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger.

AP reports the "anti-corruption" reporting rule, designed to see of any possible bad cops are on the take, have pushed officers away from the gang units by the "dozens."

Paysinger downplayed the moves, saying the officers were still on the streets, just without some of the research tools provided under the anti-gang crews.

"The community should not be concerned," Paysinger said. "We haven't backed away from our gang enforcement posture."

Officers in the gang units have to give up their bank account info or find another gig by March under the new rules.

The union that represents Los Angeles police is not happy. It argues that the disclosure rule was implemented to help end the Rampart Scandal-era federal consent decree and that it has no other use.

Los Angeles Police Protective League President Paul M. Weber:

"The League is very unhappy that the City's poorly thought out decision to implement the financial disclosure mandate might very well result in L.A. residents being deprived of having committed and experienced officers in gang units. The sole responsibility for these consequences lies at the feet of City leaders."

Tags:

consent decree, Earl Paysinger, financial disclosure, gang units, gangs, LAPD, LAPPL, Paul M. Weber

We Recommend

Nidiaget

The officers who refused to sign are really assisting the community by working the front desk with their gang expertise. No retaliation, yeah right.

Concerned loyal citizen

The financial disclosure has scared away many COPS because of the Citys historical inability to protect sensitive information. Especially information which identifies your loved ones, addresses and other personal data. I will not debate the fact that from time to time there will be a bad COP, LAWYER, POIITICIAN... in these as in all instances where a crime is suspected it should be investigated. Financial records could still be obtained via probable cause layed out in a search warrant. Asking Officers or anyone to lay out private, sensitive information in advance of any alleged or even suspect wrong doing is a violation of their constitutional rights. What makes things worse is that seasoned Officers who were to the communities they served, assigned to these gang units are now being retalliated against. Many who have been given the option to sign the disclosure or go back to patrol have been hampered by supervisors who refuse to allow them to leave until the March dealine, hampering officers abilities to find other coveted jobs. For those who have been allowed to leave before the deadline they have been branded with a Scarlet Letter for refusing to sign the disclosure. These Officers have been unofficially excluded from going to other coveted assignments and in many instances stripped of their advanced pay grade positions because the division they once proudly served in the most dangerous and demanding assignmnet are now forcing them to interrview in order to keep the same position in a patrol capacity . At the end of this process the division still goes outside of its area by passing the available Officers who served them loyally to fill thses spots with Officers from outside divisions. To even say RETALLIATION is a under statment, but the lack of loyalty is what cuts the deepest. This morale killer is sure to affect the entire Department and in the end affect the overall safety and quality of service the public has enjoyed.The RETALLIATION end of it may continue on for years in the from of litigation..

Privacy Rights

Since we are on the topic of "public" servants, Department records are subject to the court discovery process. Gang Officers deal with VERY unsavory characters. Just yesterday an L.A. Deputy was shot in the face by one. Now, imagine turning your financial information over to the bad guys. Imagine turning over your spouse's. No matter what posture the Department takes as far as the untested "security" system in place to safeguard the information, this is the Age of Wikileaks, corrupt attorneys (a la Steve Yagman), and the subpoena. There is much more to this issue. I encourage Mr. Romero to follow-up.

J Lauria

If someone (IRS) wants to look at your banking account(s) they can...yes.

If yes why worry.

AAAABBBB

Why worry? Really? With all the identity theft going around, would you want you financial info to be accessible through one more portal. No thanks. Recruit some other sucker to do the job.

Stodolaj1

The public doesn't need to know anything other than their department salary. However, when I see someone running away from something like this it makes me wonder just why are they doing this, other than the possibility that their finances may be comprimised. It gives me a feeling that they, the officers have something to hide. It is tough enough trying to be a police officer these days without unfairly telling your staff that you may not trust them.

CHUCKUSRUCKUS

'"The community should not be concerned," Paysinger said. "We haven't backed away from our gang enforcement posture."

The community should be concerned with the secrecy practiced by PUBLIC servants.

General_disarray

How is not wanting your personal financial information to be made public "secrecy?" Public servants are still PRIVATE citizens except for that 40 hours a week they are at work. Their salary is public, that is all anyone needs to know.

Suicide_by_cop

The secrecy our public servant practice is what keeps us safe, if most of you knew half the truth you would not sleep at night, they are there to serve protect and shelter you from the truth in some cases, I think since they put there lives on the line for us, let them have the privacy afforded to us! It's no ones business what their finances are, if they committ a crime investigate and prosecute. A criminal in innocent till proven guilty, shouldnt we at least afford the same assumption since they are generally honest (all police ofgficers are screened before hired including polygraph exams)...

Robert

Dennis, there's so much more to this story I hope you follow up with the gang officers on the down low. The Chief lied to the gang officers when they were first told because of the consent decree this would have to happen. That's when not just the gang officers but their families, in laws, uncles etc. all were part of being audited. This financial disclosure is BS and basically is saying "we think you're guilty before yo do anything so just in case." People need to back up their police officers because LAPD Command like Paysinger is not telling the WHOLE TRUTH. GO GET IT DENNIS GET THE TRUTH