"Members of the 77th Street Division gang enforcement unit are being investigated for turning off their body cameras and failing to document some traffic stops. Police officials said Tuesday that the anti-gang unit would be temporarily disbanded while the department reviews the matter. The specialized LAPD detail, said to prioritize seizing illegal firearms, was once described as being among the department's "best" tool against gangs by a police union publication."
"The LAPD has temporarily disbanded a South L.A. anti-gang unit whose members are accused of turning off their body-worn cameras during traffic stops. Police officials announced the move Tuesday as the department's civilian watchdog requested a review of behavior by all gang enforcement units citywide. Members of the the 77th Street Division's specialized gang detail came under internal investigation in recent months for failing to activate their body-worn cameras and pulling people over without documenting the interactions."
""We take this very very seriously, which is why the entire unit is stood down," Asst. Chief Scott Harrelson told the Police Commission at its weekly meeting Tuesday. Several commissioners said they were troubled by the continued instances of officers flouting the department's rules on the use of body cameras, and asked for a report back about whether the problem is more widespread. "As you know we spent millions of dollars every year on body-worn cameras, but their effectiveness depends on" officers adhering to policies, commissioner Jeff Skobin said."
"Commission President Rasha Gerges Shields said that while she was pleased that the department had uncovered and was investigating the officers' alleged misconduct, she worried about underlying causes. "I have a greater concern that there is a culture problem (with) some leadership that this is allowing this to happen," she said, while adding that she w"
Members of the LAPD 77th Street Division anti-gang enforcement unit are under investigation for turning off body-worn cameras during traffic stops and for failing to document interactions. Police officials announced the unit would be temporarily disbanded while the department reviews the conduct. The civilian watchdog requested a citywide review of behavior by all gang enforcement units. The specialized detail focuses on seizing illegal firearms and had previously been described as one of the department’s best tools against gangs. Police commissioners expressed concern about repeated violations of body-camera rules and asked whether the issue is broader. Officials said body-camera effectiveness depends on officers following policies.
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