Polarizing L.A. police official keeps post by default after City Council fails to vote

"A polarizing figure on the Los Angeles Police Commission will retain his seat despite having never received an approval vote from the City Council. Erroll Southers, who previously served as president of the civilian panel that watches over the LAPD, has taken criticism for what critics say is his unwillingness to supervise police Chief Jim McDonnell, while also facing renewed scrutiny in recent months for his past counterterrorism studies in Israel."

"Failing to vote on a member of one of city's most important and high-profile commissions is almost unheard of, said Zev Yaroslavsky, a former councilman and L.A. County supervisor now at UCLA. "They have responsibility to confirm or not confirm," he said of the council. "I never understood why you would campaign for office, as hard as you campaign to get there, and not vote on something that's as important to the public.""

Erroll Southers will retain a seat on the Los Angeles Police Commission after the City Council did not vote on his appointment within the required 45-day window. Southers previously served as president of the civilian panel overseeing the LAPD and has faced criticism for perceived unwillingness to supervise Police Chief Jim McDonnell and for past counterterrorism studies in Israel. Mayor Karen Bass nominated Southers in mid-August, but his scheduled vote was delayed because he was traveling and the council left him off the agenda during a Van Nuys meeting. City rules allow continuation by default for a five-year term when an interim member's approval window lapses. Officials and observers expressed surprise and speculation about the council's failure to act.

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