The Region - News from Feb. 1, 1987

Lt. Charles Higbie, who for 13 years investigated shootings by Los Angeles officers, has announced he is retiring after 30 years on the force. Higbie, 54, will leave his post as head of the Officer-Involved Shooting Team in March to take a job as an investigator with a Los Angeles law firm, Cmdr. William Booth said. A physically imposing former Marine, Higbie’s status in the department has been both legendary and controversial. Because his accounts almost always exonerated officers, critics have alleged that his evaluation of evidence was selective. He will join the law firm of Cotkin, Collins & Franscell, which often defends police departments in civil suits.