KTLA News: "Los Angeles Police Commission expands role in investigating police shootings" (1979)

that a system of police commission review, if properly designed and implemented, will provide an effective and impartial method of investigating and adjudicating officer involved shootings and death or serious injury cases. Reason for charter section 202 the people of this our report are as follows. What? department policies by a governmental body which one is fully familiar with the policies, procedures and operations of a police department. Two, has the capacity to investigate and adjudicate the issues properly. three has the authority to implement its decisions effectively by causing necessary changes in department policy and by overseeing the administration of appropriate discipline. Four is a non-political entity and functions in a non-political and objective manner and five can gain the necessary confidence and cooperation of the members of the department and the public. On the other hand, the commission form of government mandated by our city charter offers a reasonable and practical solution to these problems. That solution is for the police commission to assume responsibility for the final determination of officer involved shooting incidents and death or serious injury cases. We do so willingly and with a recognition of our obligations as head of the department to both the officers and the citizens involved. We are persuaded by our own experience as citizens and commissioners and by the reports of the president's commission on law enforcement and the administration of justice and the national advisory commission on civil disorders and the causes and prevention makes an independent police review board. Neither Nick. Well, we believe the change or comments >> used and and held up as a model by other police agencies across the country. I think our record stands uh without parallel in the fact that we have in each and every case brought out the facts, the truth and the real issues involved in attempting to one be just as far as our officers are concerned and and also an attempt to make sure that the people of the city of Los Angeles are protected in to the fullest. And that is that is commented here and I appreciate that comment. I think it's also important to to note that um this commission has recognized the authority of the chief of police uh to impose discipline. Charter section 202 was implemented many years ago and one of the primary functions of and purposes of charter section 2022 was to keep the police department from being politicized in the place in the because of that and that was a primary new era and I think we all have to move with great caution. I am not totally convinced that this system will work. I'm not totally convinced that u everyone's rights will be protected in the system but I do believe that we are moving uh with a good faith effort and I am certainly willing to move in that direction believing that this is a good faith effort and taking it step by step and judging our position as we take each and every step and I would