Yaroslavsky Calls for Ban on City Workers Promoting Religion : Legislation: Councilman acts after Assistant Police Chief Vernon’s persecution suit is rejected. He also would ban display of religious symbols on city property.

Los Angeles City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, buoyed by the dismissal of a religious persecution suit filed by Assistant Police Chief Robert Vernon, announced Thursday he will introduce legislation to prohibit city employees from promoting their beliefs on the job.

The series of amendments to the city code is scheduled to be introduced today and would, among other things, prohibit the use of religious insignia on city uniforms, city property or official city communications.

Also prohibited would be religious services or religious study courses on city property or on city time, religious proselytizing on city time, expenditure of city funds on religion-oriented materials, and use of city resources to advance any religion.

“Religion does not have a place in this city government,” Yaroslavsky said at a news conference. “Religion is a private matter that should be kept in home, or at least away from the job.”

Vernon’s suit against the city, alleging he was a victim of a “witch hunt” by the Police Department because of his fundamentalist beliefs, was dismissed Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson.

At a news conference, Vernon said he may decide in the next few weeks whether to retire--he did not make the list of six finalists to succeed Chief Daryl Gates--and added he may appeal the dismissal of his lawsuit.

Vernon filed a $10-million suit Nov. 4, claiming a department investigation--initiated at Yaroslavsky’s request--was a “witch hunt” that interfered with his job and infringed on his right to freedom of religion.

Vernon is an elder at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley and his detractors in the department have charged that he has promulgated his fundamentalist beliefs on the job, often rewarding subordinates of similar faith.

“It’s a crime that we even have to propose this addition to the city code . . . but apparently it is necessary,” Yaroslavsky said. “Our intent is not to inhibit religious expression, but to stop anyone from pushing his beliefs on someone else.”

Yaroslavsky said the series of amendments may include a prohibition on holiday motifs, such as Christmas trees or menorahs, although he conceded that such provisions may not stand up to legal challenges.

“The challenge will be to craft it so narrowly, so that we know what we’re talking about,” Yaroslavksy said, adding he also supports requiring that invocations before City Council meetings be “religion- neutral.”

In his 42-page order, Wilson granted the city’s request for a summary judgment, ruling that Vernon’s claims did not meet the constitutional test of government infringement on freedom of religion.

Attorneys for the city produced affidavits in which witnesses claimed Vernon once conducted a secret investigation of Gates, and quoted Vernon as saying he did so because “God wants me to be chief.”

Wilson ruled that the department investigation had a secular purpose to determine whether Vernon had violated anyone’s 1st Amendment rights and did not constitute religious persecution because no one suggested disapproval of fundamentalism.

Named in Vernon’s suit were the City Council, the Police Commission and its president, Stanley K. Sheinbaum, and former Commissioner Melanie Lomax.

Attorneys for the city--who said they expect Vernon to appeal--charged that the assistant chief was using the lawsuit to improve his chances of succeeding Gates. The city has spent about $330,000 defending itself, Yaroslavksy said.