Patterico's Pontifications

12/28/2009

I Hate to Say I Told You So . . .

Filed under: General — Jack Dunphy @ 10:32 am



[Guest post by Jack Dunphy]

Okay, I don’t really hate to say it. In fact, I found a great deal of vindication in this morning’s Los Angeles Times story on the dwindling ranks of LAPD gang officers. I’ve written often, both here and elsewhere (see here and here, for example), on what the results would be if the city pressed ahead with demanding extensive financial disclosure from officers assigned to anti-gang units. As the L.A. Times confirms today, some gang units in the city have seen their rosters trimmed by a third or even more as officers move on to other assignments but are not replaced as prospective members are deterred from applying due to what they view as unreasonable conditions for doing so. Crime remains low by historical standards, but if these gang units are allowed to continue shrinking, a rise in crime is all but unavoidable.

–Jack Dunphy

16 Responses to “I Hate to Say I Told You So . . .”

  1. After all the corruption from the LAPD that we know of I think everybody involved should be held to the same standards as the ones in the gang units.

    The LAPD gang units put innocent people in jail on purpose for money.

    It’s time to log into hello.com I think.

    happyfeet (71f55e)

  2. The “gang unit” on Capitol Hill has put 300MM+ people in jail on purpose for money.

    “When in the Course of human events….”

    AD - RtR/OS! (191d21)

  3. true dat

    happyfeet (71f55e)

  4. Sounds like a bunch of criminals and Gang Members are commenting on this. The Law abiding public are the ones who are going to suffer for the lack of Gang Officers that keep these idiots in check!

    Paul Waymire (4f1681)

  5. seeing as I’ve worked a gang unit for LAPD, I can tell everyone, nobody gets rich working gangs in L.A. There just isn’t that much money to be gotten from them. Also, I can honestly say I have never been involved in, or even know of any corruption within the rank and file. Those that think there is all this corruption amongst the police officers that work the street are simply ignorant, but they also have an inability to reason, so there is no use trying to convince them of that. Oh, and the gang members can be happy, because I am one of many that will never sign the financial disclosure and therefore will never work a gang unit again. Job well done in depleting the pool of officers willing to sacrifice so much for so little.

    earnmymoney (2d7742)

  6. What is wrong with a financial disclosure. If you have nothing to hide why not let it be shown. It’s strang that is a reason why you wouldn’t work gangs. The gang unit is shady anyway they only except certain officers. I know a few who aren’t honest.

    Curious (632ac5)

  7. What is wrong with a financial disclosure. If you have nothing to hide why not let it be shown. It’s strange that is a reason why you wouldn’t work gangs. The gang unit is shady anyway they only except certain officers. I know a few who aren’t honest.

    Curious (632ac5)

  8. couple things wrong with the financial disclosure off the top of my head….not only does it open all your personal information up for others to view, but every member of your family too. Anyone ever heard of identity theft? I’m not going to put my daughter in a position to have to go through that, and yes, that is a possibility. Anyone see how LAPD keeps their confidential files stored in areas any and all members of the public have access to? The parking garage at Southwest isn’t the first time LAPD has done that. It’s just the first time the media exposed them. Another quick reason is a defense attorney will be able to request officer’s financial information, including home address, social security numbers, etc, and if you think defense attorneys will never supply their clients (gang members) with that information, then you are more ignorant than most. Not going to put my family’s safety at risk. I accept a certain risk to my safety, but not my family’s. There are actually more reasons, but as I said, that’s just off the top of my head.

    earnmymoney (2d7742)

  9. “Curious”, I’m curious:
    Does your employer demand a full financial disclosure statement from your FAMILY for you to continue in your present job, or to transfer to another within the firm?

    AD - RtR/OS! (bc0d93)

  10. Comment by Paul Waymire — 12/29/2009 @ 8:53 am

    Do you really want to say that “feets” and myself are gang-members?
    That could be opening yourself up to a defamation suit.
    If you are really concerned about our bona fides, you could email our host, and ask him. I don’t know about “feets”, but PP and I have met under social conditions, and he is familiar with my background, and it does not include activities that would interest his office, or that of any “gang member task force”.

    AD - RtR/OS! (bc0d93)

  11. Even secure electronic data is not secure. A computer contractor used his back-door entry into secure police computer system to research “Joe the Plumber” illegally and feed Dems info illegally gotten. Why put even more info into such a readily searched database?

    John Hitchcock (3fd153)

  12. And let’s not forget the sealed Divorce Court record of an Obama opponent that got released to the press even though it was sealed by Court order.

    John Hitchcock (3fd153)

  13. It’s not about having things to hide, it’s about what and how does the LAPD intend to use, share, and store the personal information that only sworn employees were forced to disclose to work a gang/narcotics unit? Most have nothing to hide, but abuses of personal information and identity theft are powerful, newer crimes that officers are all too well aware of.

    If suspicion is aroused and probable cause exists, investigate and seek a warrant with one of the largest units in the Department-Internal Affairs. Or do naysayers believe that Internal Affairs wants to have dirty cops wearing the LAPD badge, too? No LAPD officer wants corrupt officers wearing their badge! Thankfully, poor behavior and crimes committed by LAPD officers is the exception, not the rule.

    LAPD does not have properly trained records personnel, proper records facilities (evidenced by photographs released in the union publication of The Thin Blue Line, of records stacked in parking stalls), or the funding to properly administer such a wide, far-reaching financial disclosure policy. This was an unfunded mandate by the consent decree. Don’t forget, LAPD employees are subject to background investigations, polygraphs (depending on sensitivity of assignment), and integrity audits. No other industry, and especially a local police agency, has done so much to earn and keep the public trust!

    But, is the voluntary disclosure a necessary tool to avoid corruption? If so, whom has financial disclosure nabbed? Or is it just a tool to enable a small and targeted group of stakeholders feel better about their police?

    Jim Lewis (365f1f)

  14. Let’s get to the meat of all of this. Why doesn’t the Department Administration, Commanders and up have to comply with such a requirement. Wouldn’t it be nice to know who they have financial deals as well as their immediate relatives. And how much do they make on other offers outside the Department. So you are trying to tell me that corruption only flies at the rank and file level. Come on now. At least try to be politically correct. Did I say the word “politics”? In the Los Angeles Police Department….. Oh how foolish of me. Everyone knows there isn’t such a thing…. NOT !
    What does the command staff have to say about this? Why doesn’t the media ask the question, if it is good enough for the command staff, it is good enough for the rank and file!

    Don Barfield (b63101)

  15. I agree with Jim Lewis especially about the part regarding the warrants.

    In addition, what kind of corrupt officer is stupid enough to put their dirty money in a bank account. Hello???? IRS???? Paper trail???? Not even gang members and drug dealers are that stupid. If there is a financial disclosure, I’m sure all the corrupt cops would disclose all the money they have hiding underneath their mattress.

    Cal Slims (edbad9)

  16. This financial disclosure condition needed to work either gangs or narcotics assignments was all about creating the conditions to catch another “Raphael Perez.” Perez lived a lifestyle way beyond his income. I heard one of the SIS Unit members, who tailed him before his arrest, say he was absolutely amazed at RP’s excessive spending. As has been said, why should an officer choosing to work gangs and narcotics be forced to not only share their financial info…but their family members’ as well? One can get paid the same working routine patrol. I do like the idea of requiring “Captains and Above” to have their $$$ monitored…and while we’re at it, why not the Police Commisioners and elected officials? Much like the Health Plan the Congress is voting on; congress, their staff and families will be exempt from it….if it’s so good for us, it ought to be good for all.

    Kieth M. in CO (LAPD retired) (c2504d)


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