Jury Finds Sergeant Did Not Violate Restraining Order

A Los Angeles police sergeant, ordered to stay away from an ex-girlfriend stationed at Parker Center, was cleared Friday of violating that restraining order when he met with Police Chief Bernard C. Parks at the headquarters building last year.

A jury acquitted Sgt. Howard Irvin of the Los Angeles Police Department’s South Traffic Division of charges stemming from an Aug. 4 meeting with Parks to discuss his future. At the time, Irvin was on probation for stalking ex-girlfriend, Det. Linda Compton, and had been ordered to stay away from Parker Center, her workplace.

Parks has said that he was unaware of the order when he arranged the meeting to discuss the original charges with Irvin, who is on administrative leave pending a hearing before the Board of Rights. Irvin faces possible dismissal.

Compton testified that she was on vacation Aug. 4 but was worried about Irvin’s appearance at the police headquarters. Irvin’s attorney argued that the sergeant showed up for a legitimate purpose.