Mayor Vows Tracking System for Officers

Just a day before federal authorities arrive in Los Angeles for meetings with city officials on the Rampart scandal, Mayor Richard Riordan on Sunday said he is “committed” to making a computerized officer tracking system operational within 12 months.

The computer system, known as TEAMS II, would address a long-standing complaint by Los Angeles Police Department critics that the city does not have an adequate way to track problem police officers.

City Council members Friday took steps to provide funding for the computer system and earlier last week selected a contractor.

“This is yet another among many significant steps demonstrating that the City Council and my office, along with the Police Commission and police chief, are committed to strong oversight systems and procedures for the Police Department,” Riordan said in a written statement.

The timing of the announcement appeared at least in part to be related to a visit today by U.S. Justice Department officials, including Civil Rights Division Chief Bill Lann Lee. High-ranking city officials are known to be concerned about the visit.

The Justice Department, which has concluded a four-year investigation of the LAPD and the use of excessive force, has been pressing the city and the Police Department to agree to a list of unspecified reforms.

The final stages of the Justice Department’s investigation focused on the LAPD’s Rampart Division and allegations that officers within the division engaged in beatings, unjustified shootings, false arrests, evidence-planting and perjury.

With search warrants being served on the homes of more than a dozen officers in recent days as part of an ongoing criminal corruption probe, the Justice Department is threatening legal action against the city unless it comes up with a strong program to counter what federal authorities believe to be a pattern of alleged civil rights violations.

Just how far the proposed computer system deflects some of the mounting pressure against the city remains to be seen. Acknowledging that plans for the computerized officer tracking system are coming late, city officials believe that it will address one of the major reforms recommended by the Christopher Commission report nine years ago after the beating of Rodney G. King.

Among other things, the Christopher Commission said the LAPD needed a better system to track problem officers and the use of force.

“All of us would love to have this system already up and running,” said Councilman Mike Feuer, who has been working with Riordan on getting the system funded. “It should have been in place before.”

Manuel Valencia, a spokesman for Riordan, said, “All parties are in agreement that TEAMS II can and will be done in a year.”

Along with other steps taken by the LAPD and the city, Valencia said, “The mayor and City Council are very much looking forward to informing the Justice Department on what progress the city has been making on all fronts.”