Posted on 12/28/2009 12:30:51 PM PST by thecodont
The LAPD is struggling to fill vacancies in gang units as a financial disclosure rule meant to fight corruption has been received by many rank-and-file cops as an insult -- and a deal-breaker when it comes to working the tough gangland assignments.
After years of contentious battles with police union representatives over the issue, Los Angeles Police Department officials pushed through a policy in April that requires gang officers to disclose details of their personal finances.
Intended to help supervisors catch cops who are taking bribes or to identify officers in financial straits who might be tempted to stray, the policy has considerable reach: Officers must disclose outside income, real estate, stocks and other assets. They also have to report the size of bank accounts and debts, including mortgages and credit cards. And the disclosures apply to any financial holdings a cop shares with family members and business partners.
When it went into effect, then-Chief William J. Bratton and other officials insisted that the policy would have little effect on recruiting and retaining gang cops and vowed to block efforts by officers to leave gang units en masse in protest.
But erosion in the ranks is apparent. According to interviews with police officers and gang unit supervisors across the city, the number of officers dedicated to fighting gangs is beginning to drop. And top brass now acknowledge that they must do more to confront discontent and distrust.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Officers from a gang unit at the Newton Area station in South Los Angeles discover a gun, cash and drugs during an apartment search. Several gang units have unfilled positions; the LAPD is conducting a staffing audit. (Michael Robinson Chavez, Los Angeles Times / October 30, 2009) |
Must have those bribes.
This rule is in effect for financial professionals now FINRA over sees it.
I have no prblem with having police in that capacity report their info
You must be of the “if you have nothing to hide what are you worried about” school of thought, eh?
Couple of initial reactions to the more skeptical side.
1. A crooked (or would-be crooked) cop isn’t going to be swayed by disclosure requirements. He’ll still take his bribes, etc., but they’ll be kept in cash and otherwise remain undisclosed.
2. Consider the possibility that this extremely sensitive infomation just could get hacked/leaked by a well-financed and well-connected criminal organization. The consequences to a cop and his family of such a leak are much worse than any leak of a financial planner’s information.
No one is telling these officers that they have to work in that division. It's voluntary. I know that several times during my military tenure I had to participate in what could only be described as intrusive financial disclosures when I held certain clearances. Look up "Executive Order 12968", signed by Clinton in '95 or '96.
If you are a securities dealer or trader, or hold oversight positions in several financial regulatory agencies, the financial disclosure forms are VERY detailed, and it is to the public's interest. As they say, sunlight is the best disinfectant.
What are you talking about? The cartels go though *billions* of dollars. How would a bad cop hide property, luxury cars, or any other high end assets if he was on the cartels payroll?
“You must be of the “if you have nothing to hide what are you worried about” school of thought, eh?”
And you must be prone to jumping to conclusions.
People in high profile or high risk positions need more monitoring. The LAPD has been proven to be corrupt. the gang unit was found to be planting evidence, shooting innocent people, demanding bribes, selling drugs and so forth.
But perhaps you are from the “we should expect to pay bribes to our public officials” school of though.
No, good ol drifty just hates cops. Pure and simple.
The answer is that he'd have to keep the bribes in cash, jewelry and other untraceables.
You presume that the crooked cop also is stupidly given to big, obvious and immediate uses of bribe money. Some might be, and they'll be caught. But I don't presume that, generally. Cash and other valuables can be placed in hiding places here and there. Well after a particular crooked cop's term on the "gang unit" is over, he can live a life of luxury on his buried treasure.
I'm all for halting corruption, but I believe if you listen to a few gang-unit cops' side of things, you'll see that the measure not only is potentially dangerous but also is likely to be ineffective against all but the most stupid of corrupt cops.
Don’t know if its hating cops or not. Clearly most cannot be trusted as they are all just shills for their unions.
A union work rule is far more important then taxpayers today.
What are you talking about? The cartels go though *billions* of dollars. How would a bad cop hide property, luxury cars, or any other high end assets if he was on the cartels payroll?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“The answer is that he’d have to keep the bribes in cash, jewelry and other untraceables.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Untraceables? lol...
Cartels will pay hundreds of thousands to the right people, in the right positions to turn the other way, so to speak.
What good are tens of thousands in bribes, if ya can’t spend it?
As a side note, my police union has relatively little power. For one thing, it is illegal for me to strike.
LOL! Ya think a cop is going to show up in Hawaii upon his retirement, driving a half million dollar yacht, in front of his ocean front home without everyone that ever knew him asking hard questions? Get real.
I moved to Los Angeles in 1964, and I bolted in 1993.
There is nothing that can lure me back to that hell-hole, and I feel very sorry for the police and sheriffs that are working there.
I believe they can make as much of a living to su-pport themselves and their families in places where they are appreciated.
Given that the same police enforce un-Constitutional checkpoints, how am I supposed to feel sorry for them?
Of course, cash and jewelry can also be used more immediately than post-retirement, although it is more difficult to buy physical assets like real estate and nice cars without getting caught. Folks can be very creative at hiding money: friends, relatives, business ventures with creative accounting, etc. But no, none of this matters to you because you think all Bad Guys immediately go buy a Porsche and a seaside home with their bribe money, and in their own name to boot. I’d say it is you who is naive.
“Nice” “talking” with you. But I’m afrain your understanding of police realities stops and starts with bad television shows. I suggest some remedial reading of LAPD officer Jack Dunphy’s work on the subject. http://www.bing.com/search?q=%22jack+dunphy%22+%22financial+disclosure%22&src=IE-SearchBox
Of course, you won’t read it. You are only interested in slinging insults and pretending that you know what you’re talking about. Talk to some police officers a little bit and see what they have to say.
You do a great disservice to your username. Consider changing it to ACLU.
I did not say corrupt.
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