Today the ACLU of Southern California called on Mayor Riordan to establish immediately an independent body empowered with broad investigative and subpoena powers to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"This newest corruption scandal has the potential to undo any progress made in restoring public confidence in the LAPD since the Rodney King beating." said ACLU-SC Associate Director Elizabeth Schroeder. "Mayor Riordan has been tough on crime: now is the time for him to be equally tough on police corruption."

Though LAPD Chief Bernard Parks has taken appropriate action and set up a Board of Inquiry to conduct a broad-based review of the department, the ACLU believes that the LAPD's internal review mechanism is wholly inadequate to investigate and root out systemic problems. Independent bodies have been used successfully in big cities to conduct thorough investigations into allegations of police abuse and corruption. In 1970 the Mayor of New York City appointed the Knapp Commission to investigate widespread corruption in the NYPD. In 1991 Mayor Bradley appointed the Christopher Commission to investigate the LAPD. Most recently, in 1993, New York City Mayor David Dinkens appointed the Mollen Commission to investigate new allegations of corruption in the NYPD.

Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California called on Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti to name a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute those involved in unlawful activities at LAPD's Rampart Division.

"As details of this scandal continue to emerge, it is all too apparent that the LAPD is incapable of policing itself," said ACLU-SC Associate Director Elizabeth Schroeder.

"The public needs to know that a truly independent prosecutor is working to uncover the truth. Those who have created a culture of deception and violence while exploiting the protection of their badge need to be held accountable for their actions. Only a comprehensive and impartial investigation can restore the public's faith in the LAPD."

The special prosecutor must be empowered with:

-- the power to subpoena and prosecute to the full extent of the law

-- the ability to independently investigate, without impediment, allegations of police wrongdoing

-- the resources and complete support of the District Attorney and his staff

The ACLU-SC believes strongly that the appointment of an independent special prosecutor to handle police corruption matters would provide an additional check on police practices and thus bolster the vitally important civilian oversight functions of the Police Commission and Inspector General.

The ACLU applauds the swift decision by the District Attorney's office to halt implementation of the 18th Street gang injunction. The injunction, based on false affidavits by members of the now-infamous Rampart CRASH unit, could not possibly have withstood a court challenge in light of recent evidence of perjury and corruption in the unit.

The D.A.'s actions do not go far enough. Allegations of police abuse in enforcing gang injunctions are not limited to 18th Street. According to former LAPD officer Rafael Perez, a member of the Rampart CRASH unit recently arrested on charges of theft of cocaine from police evidence lockers, the culture of these units encouraged abuse of power. All affidavits underlying gang injunctions city-wide must be carefully reviewed. Until that review is complete, enforcement efforts should stop.

Gang injunctions offer "quick fix" solutions to the tough, entrenched problem of illegal gang activity. Instead of addressing the underlying problems that make gang involvement attractive -- lack of jobs and educational opportunities in poor and minority neighborhoods - injunctions invite abuse by allowing police to harass and arrest primarily minority youth even when no criminal activity takes place.