Coming Soon to a Supreme Court Near You -

[kyburg]

A Los Angeles Police Department disciplinary board has secretly decided not to punish the officer who fatally shot 13-year-old Devin Brown two years ago, rejecting an earlier ruling by the civilian Police Commission that the act violated department policy, sources confirmed Tuesday.

..

It also reflects a dramatic change in the way the LAPD metes out discipline. For decades, the LAPD had heard evidence publicly when serious misconduct was alleged. Last summer, however, the California Supreme Court ruled that police officer personnel documents were not public records. Responding to that ruling — and over the objections of news organizations and civil libertarians — the LAPD moved to close its disciplinary hearings.

You know, I wasn't aware Arnie had gotten the chance to appoint anyone - so guess what.

This is going to go back and get looked at again. I guarantee it. Read the rest of the article. Oh boy yeah.

Comments

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

As the officers are public servants and their conduct was during duty time, the hearings should have been public. I recall there was video of the incident shot from a chopper over the scene and at that time I did not see any evidence of a threat to the officer. Oh well, I guess its one More case where an officer can kill and get away with it. All part of the future police state, where the government can spy on you, imprison you, and kill you, without having to justify their actions.

[miwasatoshi.livejournal.com]

What's that again? "Who watches the watchmen?"

God, I hate being a libertarian sometimes.

[dudemungus.livejournal.com]

Don't know the details of the case, but I can say with comfort making the hearings private is a public relations blunder. A cop gets away with shooting an African American teenager, and the evidence and opinions are secret? BAD BAD BAD. Maybe they had just cause to let the guy off, but this was handled stupidly, to say the least.

[moropus.livejournal.com]

Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?